Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts {Gluten-Free}

Officially Fall is still about a month away. But since school has started everywhere (I think) I say it’s time to bring on the sweet Fall desserts. These baked apple doughnuts are perfect for a cool morning breakfast or an after school snack.

apple cider doughnuts 1

To me, nothing says fall quite like sweet, apple cider. It’s the star ingredient in my Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts. Honesty, I’ve never been a big fan of doughnuts…until now! Traditional fried doughnuts always seemed too greasy for me. But my baked version tastes like a moist, apple cake. The glaze on top is a treat as well with its tender kiss of apple cider. Trust me, it’s a challenge to stop at just one!

apple cider doughnuts 3

Did you know there’s a neat little trick to get a smooth looking doughnut?  Fill a large ziploc bag full of batter and cut off one corner tip. Then pipe the dough into the cavities of the pan. It works like magic to make the perfect shape and it couldn’t be easier.

My apple doughnuts are gluten-free which was a huge treat for my husband. I think he ate about ten the first day I made them. 😉 But if gluten-free is not your concern, you can easily substitute all-purpose flour and still enjoy every tasty bite.

apple cider doughnuts 2

I hope you will give these doughnuts a try and let me know what you think.  Be sure to enjoy this beautiful season and soak it all in. I know I will. 😉


 

Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 7-9 minutes
Makes 18 doughnuts

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups apple cider; boiled down to 2/3 cups and cooled
  • 8 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 3 1/2 cups all purpose gluten-free flour (can substitute with standard all purpose flour)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Glaze:

  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. In a stand mixer, cream the butter. Add sugar and cream together. Add eggs, one at a time and mix well.  Add buttermilk and reduced apple cider and mix to combine.

In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and mix until they are fully combined.

Spray your doughnut pan with cooking spray and fill the cavities about 2/3 full. Place in the oven for 7-9 minutes or until they spring back when gently touched. Remove doughnuts from oven and allow to sit in pan for 5 minutes. Then remove from pan and place on wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.

For glaze: In a small saucepan, bring apple cider to a boil and reduce to 6 tablespoons. Transfer to a small bowl and then stir in butter until melted. Stir in enough confectioners sugar to make a glaze consistency. Dip each doughnut half way, allow excess to drip off. Place on wire rack and let stand until the glaze is set.

17 Comments

  1. I am in Vermont for two weeks and apple cider donuts are everywhere. However, most are deep fried. I like the fact that these are baked.
    Thanks for sharing at Turn It Up Tuesday,
    Bev

  2. Oh wow. TOTALLY pinning this one. Your images are beautiful and this recipe looks incredibly delectable. Thanks so much for sharing with us over at #OMHGWW! I am so so excited for fall, and this is going to be the perfect “Fall has arrived” treat to bring to my Women’s Bible Study.
    -Heather

  3. Hi – Happy Labor Day Weekend! My son loves to make donuts and is always looking for something unusual – he is just waking up now….can’t wait to show him this!! Thanks for the post.

    From Carlyn OffTheSidewalk in Tampa, FL 🙂

  4. Cannot wait to make these! Thanks for sharing with us at The Creative Corner! Can’t wait to see what you link up tomorrow night. {and you just might be my feature for tomorrows link party! 😉 }

  5. Pingback: Great Ideas -- 17 Apple Projects!
  6. Laura, this is looking delicious!
    I’ll be featuring your recipe on the blog tomorrow… THANK YOU SO MUCH for partying with us!
    xo
    Desirée

  7. Laura – These doughnuts look wonderful. They remind me of fall days! Thanks for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop! Stop by today where I have featured you on my Tuesday Treasures!

  8. Wow!! These look so delicious! I am just loving all of the fall treats that are being posted!! I’ll have to whip up a batch of these for my husband! He LOVES anything apple cider. Thanks for sharing!

  9. Laura, I’m visiting from the Friday Feature linky party. This looks like a simply, delicious. and easy recipe to follow. I pinned it so to not lose it for a future try. Thanks for sharing the yum! Have a funtastic weekend!

  10. Oh my! Now I am SOOOOO hungry. One of my coworkers and I were just talking about apple cider donuts and these looks delicious! Thanks so much for sharing at Throwback Thursday!

  11. This is so yummy looking. I wish I had one to go with my coffee right now! Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight Pinned & sharing

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