Apple Cider Doughnuts Recipe

A delicious way to enjoy the sweet flavors of fall.

Related To:

Apple cider doughnuts are a fall favorite.

One of my favorite fall traditions is a family trip to one of the many “you-pick-'em” apple orchards. Hand picking our own crisp and delicious apples is the headline, of course, but there’s always so much more to do. Crafts, the occasional hay ride, amazing pressed apple cider, and perhaps the guiltiest of apple-themed pleasures: apple cider doughnuts.

Either baked or fried and then glazed or tossed in sugar, the irresistible smell of the sweet, tangy delights fills the air, drawing us into the usually long line to get them. Moist, sweet and spiked with the taste of fresh cider, the cakey doughnuts are worth the trip all by themselves.

No orchard outings this week, so we’re capturing some of the magic at home with this recipe for making our own cider doughnuts. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and with the tasty tang of apple cider and buttermilk, these baked doughnuts are packed with great fall flavor and bring a little bit of the orchard into the kitchen.

Apple Cider Doughnuts

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/3 cup apple cider
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup Crushed pecans (optional)

Combine flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a bowl and set aside.

Whisk together butter, buttermilk, apple cider, egg and vanilla extract.

Add dry ingredients to wet and stir to fully combine.

Spoon batter into greased doughnut pan and smooth the tops.

To make glaze,whisk together powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons cider and set aside.

Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a bowl and set aside.

Bake doughnuts at 375 degrees for 12 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Allow doughnuts to cool for 5 minutes, then remove from pan and dip top of each in glaze.

Sprinkle doughnuts with sugar/cinnamon mix or crushed pecans.

Yield: 6 doughnuts

Next Up

Hot White Russian With Salted Caramel Cocktail Recipe

With its rich flavor and kick of caffeine, this hand-warming version of the classic White Russian cocktail is a great adult alternative to hot chocolate.

Warm Old-Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

Perfect for relaxing on a cold winter night, this drink will warm up the evening with a hot version of the classic cocktail.

Hot-Buttered Bourbon Cocktail Recipe

For a comforting and yummy twist on classic hot buttered rum, try this bourbon cocktail to keep you warm all winter. It’s a cozy drink that's perfect for chilly winter nights.

Blood Orange Hot Toddy Cocktail Recipe

Swap out the lemon in your standard hot toddy with the sweet raspberry citrus flavor of seasonal blood orange for a delicious variation on the classic cocktail.

Spiked Apple Cider Recipe

This hot cocktail starts in the kitchen and moves to the bar.

Roasted Acorn Squash With Dirty Rice Pilaf

This acorn squash dish is perfect for cooler weather. The combination of thyme and sausage with the subtle sweetness of raisins and orange is unexpected and delicious. This dish would serve nicely as a starch course or entrée for a more casual meal. 

Vern Yip's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes

HGTV designer Vern Yip is a star in the kitchen, too. And he shared one of his favorite recipes for Saturday family breakfast with HGTV Magazine!

Fall Baking: A Homespun Recipe for Cranberry Apple Pie

Fresh seasonal flavors team up in a sweet and tangy recipe for the fall and the holidays to come.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones Recipe

The perfect companion to an early morning (or late night) cup of hot tea, coffee or cocoa, these dense, flavorful scones combine two favorite fall flavors: pumpkin and chocolate.

More from:

Thanksgiving Ideas

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.