Apple cider used to be our go-to drink after ice skating. My kids love when the weather changes because they know I’m going to buy more. I tried combining two of our favorite treats together for one delicious snack. These apple cider donuts are a great holiday treat.
Watch this Recipe Cooked Step-by-Step
This post contains affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.
Apple Cider Mini Donuts in Your Mini Donut Maker
This recipe is easy because I don’t want to be spending forever in the kitchen making a treat that will only take my kids minutes to eat.
What You Need:
- 1 3/4 cup flour
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup apple cider
How to Make Apple Cider Donuts
In a large mixing bowl, cream together your butter and sugar. Mix in two large eggs and beat until light and fluffy.
Add in cinnamon and nutmeg, some vanilla. Don’t forget the baking powder, I almost did for this batch. This smells like Christmas to me.
Add the flour mixture and mix at low speed until incorporated. With the mixer running, add the apple cider in a slow, steady stream and mix to combine.
Scrape the bowl well to make sure the batter is well mixed. The batter is light and fluffy.
Trial and error taught me two things with this recipe:
- longer cook/bake time makes them easier to get out of the mini donut maker
- the longer they baked, and browner they got, the better they tasted
Let the doughnuts cool for 5 minutes after baking before brushing them with the melted butter and dredge them in the cinnamon sugar while they are still warm.
Apple Cider Mini Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup flour
- 1 ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup apple cider
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together your butter and sugar. Mix in two large eggs and beat until light and fluffy.
- Add in cinnamon and nutmeg, some vanilla. Baking powder.
- Add the flour mixture and mix at low speed until incorporated.
- With the mixer running, add the apple cider in a slow, steady stream and mix to combine. Scrape the bowl well to make sure the batter is well mixed. The batter is light and fluffy.
- Let the doughnuts cool for 5 minutes after baking before brushing them with the melted butter and dredge them in the cinnamon sugar while they are still warm.
Notes
Trial and error taught me two things with this recipe:
- -longer cook/bake time makes them easier to get out of the mini donut maker
- -the longer they baked, and browner they got, the better they tasted
More on Making Mini Donuts
Making a Piping Bag to Make Mini Donuts
I make a piping bag out of a Ziploc bag. Put the corner of the bag into a large mug, fold the open bag open over the mug. I pour or scrape my mini donut batter into the Ziploc bag.
Ingredient Swaps & Variations
- Substitute part or all of the butter with softened cream cheese to make donuts richer and moister.
- Use coconut oil or a neutral-flavored oil if you want dairy-free or lighter fat version.
- Swap white sugar for brown sugar, coconut sugar, or even maple sugar for deeper flavor. If using a liquid sweetener (honey, maple syrup), reduce the apple cider slightly to keep dough texture right.
- For flour, try using whole wheat pastry flour for a more wholesome texture, or mix in some oat flour for extra fiber. Be aware this could make donuts a bit denser.
- Instead of regular eggs, you can try an egg substitute: flax egg (1 Tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 Tbsp water) or a commercial egg replacer. The texture will change somewhat but still tasty.
- Swap apple cider for apple juice + a splash of cider vinegar (to mimic acidity), or use pear cider or fresh pressed pear juice for variation.
- Adjust the spices: increase nutmeg, add a pinch of cloves or ground allspice. Add grated fresh ginger for a warmer spice kick.
Additional Toppings & Serving Ideas
- After brushing with melted butter and dredging in cinnamon sugar, you could also dip donuts in a vanilla glaze or a maple glaze for extra sweetness.
- Try a glaze made with cream cheese, especially if you used cream cheese in the batter — a cream cheese frosting works nicely.
- Top with chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts) or crushed graham crackers for crunch.
- Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar, or a sprinkle of coarse sugar or sea salt to contrast sweetness.
- Serve alongside hot apple cider, spiced tea, or a milk latte for a cozy pairing.
- Consider adding fresh fruit (sliced apples, berries) or a compote on the side to balance the sweetness.
FAQ
What if my donuts don’t easily come out of the mini donut maker?
If they stick, try cooking a little longer so the outside browns more — as noted in your original trial-and-error tip. Also make sure your donut maker’s nonstick surfaces are well-greased or sprayed before cooking.
Can I make these apple cider donuts without apple cider?
Yes. Use apple juice plus a splash of cider vinegar to replicate the acidity, or use a different fruit juice like pear juice. Just reduce added liquid slightly if juices are thin to keep the batter consistency right.
How long will these donuts stay fresh?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature; they should stay good for about 1-2 days before texture starts to degrade. For longer storage, you can freeze them once cooled and then reheat or thaw before serving.
Is there a way to make them lighter or less sweet?
Yes. Use less sugar (either white or by swapping for lower-glycemic sweeteners), use whole wheat pastry flour, and reduce butter slightly or replace part with a lighter fat. Also, skip heavy glazes or heavy toppings and lean toward lighter finishes like a dusting of sugar or a thin glaze.
Can I double or halve the recipe?
Yes. The recipe scales fairly well: if you double, a larger batch will take a little longer in the donut maker and you may need to fill more molds in batches. If halving, many of the spices and leavening ingredients will still need careful measuring so flavor stays balanced.
Will the flavor of apple cider be strong or mild?
That depends on the cider you use. A spiced or strong cider will make the apple flavor more pronounced. If you prefer a subtler flavor, use a mild cider or reduce the cider amount slightly and supplement with a neutral liquid (milk or water) or juice.
Simple Mini Donuts Maker Recipe
