If you enjoy the classic fall flavors of apple and caramel, these Baked Caramel Apple Cider Donuts are a must-try! Tender, yummy, and a must try Fall treat. Bonus: they're baked, not fried, so go back for that second one!
Last weekend, my hubby and I had a cooking/baking afternoon. He was in the mood to bake some donuts for all of us, while I was making dinner.
I chose to make a yummy Chicken Broccoli Casserole, and he whipped up these Baked Caramel Apple Cider Donuts.
These made the house smell amazing, and the flavor was out of this world. These are the perfect thing to make with Fall heading our way.
The donuts had just the right amount of apple flavor, and the caramel glaze made it resemble a caramel apple, only in doughnut form.
Since these are baked, rather than fried, they are somewhat healthier for you. No no no, I am not claiming these are “healthy”, but healthier than frying, ha-ha!!
Ingredients Needed for these Baked Caramel Apple Cider Donuts:
Flour
Cornstarch
Ground Cinnamon
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Salt
Unsalted Butter, room temperature
Sugar
Eggs
Egg Yolks
Apple Cider, unfiltered
Powdered Sugar
Corn Syrup, dark
Pinch of salt
Boiling Water
Heavy Cream
How to prepare these incredible donuts:
Preheat the oven to 350 and grease a doughnut pan. *If you do not have a doughnut pan, you can use a muffin pan and make these into muffins.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate bowl, combine the unsalted butter and sugar. Cream together until smooth.
Stir in the eggs and egg yolks until well blended.
Fold the dry ingredients from the large bowl, into the wet ingredients.
Add in the apple cider, make sure you do not over mix.
Spoon the batter into the doughnut pan and bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes.
Remove pan from oven and allow to cool in the pan for at least 5 minutes.
While donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze.
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, corn syrup, and pinch of salt.
Add in the boiling water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until icing comes together.
In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water over high heat. Bring to a rapid boil and allow to cook for 8 minutes, or until a amber color starts developing.
Remove from heat and slowly pour the heavy cream into the mixture.
Stir the caramel into the heavy cream mixture and stir to combine.
Dip the tops of each doughnut into the glaze and sprinkle salt over the top of each glaze covered doughnut.
Allow glaze to firm up a bit on doughnuts and enjoy!!
Why these baked donuts are the best:
*The salted caramel glaze brings these to new levels because it’s the perfect mix of salty and sweet.
*Much better for you than the fried versions, therefore, don’t feel guilty going back for seconds (or even thirds).
*The ULTIMATE Fall treat!
*Fluffy and tender donuts packed with flavor!
Love donuts? Check out these other great recipes:
Incredible Baked Chocolate Crumb Donuts
Also try my No-Bake Caramel Apple Bark for a yummy apple recipe!
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Baked Caramel Apple Cider Donuts
Equipment
Ingredients
Donuts
- 2 ¾ cup flour *all purpose
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups butter *unsalted, room temp
- 1 ¼ cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 cup apple cider *unfiltered
Glaze
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoon corn syrup *dark
- 1 pinch salt
- 3 tablespoon boiling water
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup heavy cream
- salt for garnishing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 and grease a doughnut pan. *If you do not have a doughnut pan, you can use a muffin pan and make these into muffins.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, combine the unsalted butter and sugar. Cream together until smooth.
- Stir in the eggs and egg yolks until well blended.
- Fold the dry ingredients from the large bowl, into the wet ingredients.
- Add in the apple cider, make sure you do not over mix.
- Spoon the batter into the doughnut pan and bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes.
- Remove pan from oven and allow to cool in the pan for at least 5 minutes.
- While donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, corn syrup, and pinch of salt.
- Add in the boiling water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until icing comes together.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water over high heat. Bring to a rapid boil and allow to cook for 8 minutes, or until a amber color starts developing.
- Remove from heat and slowly pour the heavy cream into the mixture.
- Stir the caramel into the heavy cream mixture and stir to combine.
- Dip the tops of each doughnut into the glaze and sprinkle salt over the top of each glaze covered doughnut.
- Allow glaze to firm up a bit on doughnuts, and enjoy!!
Nutrition
Amanda Endicott says
For someone who wants these so bad but cant have cinnamon….what would the best substitute for cinnamon?
Kristin says
Hmmmm, how about nutmeg? If you use nutmeg in place of cinnamon, just be sure to cut the amount in half, 🙂