Baked Cinnamon Crunch Apple Cider Doughnuts
Baked Cinnamon Crunch Apple Cider Doughnuts are a cozy fall treat combining tender, fluffy doughnuts with a crispy cinnamon-sugar crust infused with apple cider and warm spices. These baked doughnuts offer a healthier alternative to fried versions, are quick and easy to prepare, and fill your kitchen with inviting aromas perfect for breakfast, coffee breaks, or festive occasions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 8 doughnuts 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour blend)
Ingredients
Scale
Doughnut Batter
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh apple cider
- 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan)
- ½ cup plain yogurt or buttermilk (use plant-based yogurt for vegan)
- 4 tablespoons melted butter or oil (coconut oil for vegan)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon Crunch Topping
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing doughnuts)
Instructions
- Prepare the Doughnut Batter: Whisk together the dry ingredients — flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and sugar — in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients including apple cider, eggs, yogurt, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Combine wet and dry ingredients just until blended to avoid overmixing, which keeps the doughnuts tender.
- Fill the Doughnut Pan: Lightly grease a doughnut pan, then spoon the batter evenly into each well, filling about three-quarters full. This prevents overflowing while still yielding the perfect doughnut shape.
- Bake the Doughnuts: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the doughnuts spring back gently when touched. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and moist inside.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Crunch Topping: While the doughnuts bake, combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Once the doughnuts are slightly cooled but still warm, gently brush them with melted butter and dip or sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top to create that signature crunchy coating.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the doughnuts cool completely on a wire rack to ensure the cinnamon-sugar crust sets perfectly, then serve fresh for the ultimate flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Use fresh apple cider for the brightest and most natural apple flavor.
- Mix the batter just until combined to maintain fluffy doughnuts and avoid toughness.
- Brush the doughnuts with butter while warm to help the cinnamon-sugar stick and achieve a beautiful crunch.
- Lightly grease the doughnut pan to prevent sticking without excess oil.
- Adjust cinnamon amounts in batter and topping to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 doughnut
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: baked doughnuts, apple cider doughnuts, cinnamon sugar doughnuts, fall treats, gluten-free doughnuts, vegan doughnuts