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If there was ever a recipe that screams fall it’s these apple cider doughnuts. Homemade doughnuts made with mulled cider, cinnamon, apple butter, and maple. Fried to perfection (because if you’re going to eat a doughnut, eat a real doughnut), and rolled in cinnamon spice. There’s nothing not to love about these sweet doughnuts. Best enjoyed while still warm, with a steaming mug of coffee. The perfect way to welcome in fall this weekend.
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Tomorrow is the official start of fall, so today I just had to share one of the most fall-ish recipes I could think of, apple cider doughnuts.
I know that I’ve been talking about fall for the last week non-stop, but you guys know it’s my favorite season, and I can’t help but be overly excited. I mean the blog is called Half Baked Harvest after all. Not going lie, I spent weeks brainstorming just what to share today. Nothing felt special enough, but then it occurred to me that I had not once made apple cider doughnuts. When I realized this I was up out of my desk chair and frying up doughnuts within minutes.
When the ideas come, I tackle them right away. If I wait too long I’ll manage to talk myself out of them and move onto something else. Yes, my brain works in odd ways…
Jumping right into details today, because I feel as though I’ve been rambling a lot this week. Plus, I’ve spent the last few days unpacking and organizing the studio barn, trying to get it to be actually “work ready” and I’m just slightly tired. We still have so much to do at the studio, but progress is being made! I’ll share more details in Sunday’s Favorites post.
Moving along.
You know how there are some recipes that are just so delicious and so so crave worthy? Well, these doughnuts are just that. They’re full of fall flavors, crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, perfectly sweet, and truly mouth wateringly good. They’re best enjoyed on a crisp fall morning, or afternoon, with a warm mug of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa.
So perfect.
To start, make the doughnut dough. Unlike most doughnuts, apple cider doughnuts are not made using any yeast, and instead are made with baking powder and baking soda. Not only does this make them simpler and easier to make, but it gives them a heartier, denser texture with a soft inside, but a slightly crisp outside.
To make my doughnuts extra flavorful, I like to use homemade mulled apple cider, apple butter (truly my favorite autumn ingredient) autumn spices, and maple syrup. The combo of apple cider, apple butter, and maple make these doughnuts extra special, and extra delicious. And just slightly different from all the rest.
The key to a really good apple cider doughnut though?
Frying them and almost immediately rolling them generously in cinnamon spice (also known as cinnamon sugar).
I’ll be the first to admit that I hate frying. But sometimes, every now and again, like when fall rolls around and you have a rainy weekend on your hands, frying up apple cider doughnuts is the only thing you should be doing.
Try making them this weekend. Promise you will not be disappointed. These are everything you want out of an apple cider doughnut, but better.
Also? If you happen to go apple picking this weekend, or sometime in the near future, grab some good apple cider while you are out. Good cider makes all the difference.
Also, also…these really are best when eaten slightly warm and with steaming coffee. Highly recommending making a batch for an afternoon snack…and maybe lighting a candle too, because if you’re doing the cozy vibe, do it well.
Watch the How To Video:
If you make these mulled spiced apple doughnuts, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Mulled Spiced Apple Cider Doughnuts
Ingredients
- 3 cups apple cider
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/4 cup real maple syrup
- 1/2 cup apple butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 4-5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- high heat natural oil, for frying (such as vegetable oil)
Instructions
- 1. Bring the apple cider and cinnamon to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer 20 minutes or until reduced to about 2/3 to 1 cup. Remove from the heat. Let cool 5-10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and discard. Add the cider to a large mixing bowl.2. To the cider, add the butter, maple syrup, apple butter, vanilla, and eggs. Beat to combine. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg. Using the dough hook, knead the dough until a smooth ball forms, adding 1/4 cup additional flour, if needed to bring the dough together. Cover the bowl and let rest 15 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, combine the sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. 4. Heat 2 inches of oil to 350 degrees F.5. Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the dough to a 1/2-inch thickness. Using doughnut or cookie cutters, cut out rounds of dough. 6. Working in batches, use a slotted metal spoon or spatula to carefully place the doughnuts into the hot oil. Fry, flipping once, until light golden brown and puffed, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain onto a paper towel lined plate. 7. Coat the warm doughnuts in cinnamon sugar…generously. These are best eaten slightly warm, so enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I made these several years ago the day of, and they turned out really good and had great texture, just need more apple cider flavor. I just made them again yesterday and they turned out terrible. In the comments Teighan told people they can make the dough the day before and then let it come to room temperature the next day. I did that, and they came out terrible. First of all, the temperature of the oil she says to use is way too high and was cooling the outside way too fast and they got super dark. So I lowered the temperature and that helped. Second of all, the sides of the donuts started separating when frying and they did not puff up how they’re supposed to. They’re very dense. I didn’t even add extra flour to the dough like other commenters did. Also, I had reduced the apple cider to 2/3 cup (which took a long time). I won’t be making this recipe ever again. Very disappointing and such a waste of my ingredients.
Hi there,
I’m so sorry these were such a disappointment, especially since you had made them successfully before! I can understand how frustrating it must have been to spend all that time reducing the cider and preparing the dough ahead, only to have the donuts turn out dense and fall apart while frying. I appreciate you explaining exactly what happened, including the issues with the oil temperature and the overnight refrigeration. Those details are really helpful, and I’ll take another look at the recipe and make-ahead instructions to see what needs clarification or adjustment. I’m sorry you wasted your time and ingredients on a batch that didn’t turn out as expected. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Hello, is the 1286 kcal per serving accurate? How many donuts count as a serving? When I plug it into my app and include the servings, I get 326 calories per donut. This doesn’t include being fried in oil but I doubt that it would add 960 calories. I just wanted to double check. Thanks.
Hi Samantha,
I always recommend that if the nutritional information is important to you, you use your own personal calculator. Ours is automatic and controlled by google. It’s not something we’d prefer to be using. We are required to. I’m sorry for the trouble, we do our best! Hope you enjoy the recipe! xT
Can you put these in an air fryer ?
Hey there,
I’ve never tried that with this recipe, but I bet it would work for you! Please let me know if you give it a try! xT
Is it possible to make the dough the day before frying them?
Hey Chelsea,
I’ve never tried this, but if you do so, I would make sure to bring the batter back to room temp. I hope you love this recipe! xT
Is it possible to leave out the apple butter for this recipe? Or substitute with something else?
Hi Lisa,
You can try using a thick apple sauce, that should work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Could I bake these? Wondering if there’s an alternative to frying.
Hey Lyla,
For a baking recipe, give this one a try:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/baked-apple-cider-doughnuts/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT