Baked Cinnamon Crunch Apple Cider Doughnuts – made with reduced spiced cider, apple butter, and cinnamon. Before baking, the batter gets a generous sprinkle of homemade cinnamon CRUNCH topping. Once they’re out of the oven, each warm doughnut gets rolled in cinnamon sugar, just like a classic apple cider doughnut—only even tastier. That cinnamon crunch gives every spiced cider doughnut an extra-special touch that’s absolutely irresistible. These are the ultimate way to enjoy apple season this fall!

 – made with reduced spiced cider, apple butter, and cinnamon. Before baking, the batter gets a generous sprinkle of homemade cinnamon CRUNCH topping. Once they’re out of the oven, each warm doughnut gets rolled in cinnamon sugar, just like a classic apple cider doughnut—only even tastier. That cinnamon crunch gives every spiced cider doughnut an extra-special touch that’s absolutely irresistible. These are the ultimate way to enjoy apple season this fall!

If there’s one fall recipe you have to try, it’s these doughnuts. I get it—everyone goes crazy for pumpkin, but I’m here to cheer on fall’s apple season too.

Don’t get me wrong, I adore pumpkin, but apples never seem to get the same hype. And honestly? A juicy, crisp apple is my absolute favorite.

Turns out, a lot of you feel the same way—our apple cider candle has been a hit! It’s been so fun seeing so many of you enjoying it this season.

So when I say I was excited to bake these doughnuts, I truly meant it. I’ve been counting down the days to share them. My goal? For you to be baking these all season long because they’re that good.

Like I mentioned, the cinnamon crunch adds the perfect little crispy bite, taking these doughnuts to the next level. You’re going to love them—at least, that’s what I’m hoping!

The Details You Should Know

Ingredients

• Apple cider
• Salted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Eggs
• Dark brown sugar
• Flour
• Baking powder, baking soda, salt
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger
• Honeycrisp apples
• Cinnamon sugar

Special Supplies

• Doughnut or muffin pan

Steps

Step 1: Boil Down the Apple Cider

Look for the best spiced cider with no added sugars—if you can, grab fresh cider from a farmers’ market. Or better yet, go apple picking and snag some while you’re at it! Nothing compares to really good apple cider, especially this time of year.

To make the flavor pop even more in the doughnuts, we’ll simmer the cider on the stove until it reduces. This concentrates the flavors, making it extra rich. It’s an extra step, but totally worth it. For even more depth, toss in cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, or cardamom pods while it boils.

Step 2: Make the Doughnut Batter

Mix the reduced cider with melted butter, apple butter, eggs, vanilla, and dark brown sugar. Then add all the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.

Next, fold in some chopped Honeycrisp apple—this gives them a bit of an apple fritter vibe.

Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Crunch

The crunch topping is just brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and butter mixed together until it forms little clumps.

Step 4: Bake

Divide the batter into doughnut pans (or a cupcake pan if that’s what you have). Then, sprinkle the cinnamon crunch over each one, pressing it lightly into the batter so it sticks.

As they bake, your kitchen will smell like the coziest fall candle—pure magic.

Step 5: The Cinnamon Sugar

Take the doughnuts out of the pan while they’re still warm and roll them in cinnamon sugar—just like the classic version.

Is there anything more fall than that?

Serve these with coffee, hot cocoa, or even a steaming mug of cider for the perfect autumn treat!