Eggless Apple Cider Donuts
These baked donuts are everything you want from a fall treat — warmly spiced, tender, and coated in a buttery cinnamon-sugar crust that practically melts on your tongue. The secret to their deep apple flavor is a reduced cider that gets simmered down to a concentrated half cup, packing way more punch than plain juice ever could. Instead of eggs, a simple flaxseed-and-water mixture does the binding work quietly in the background, and between the applesauce and melted butter, the texture stays incredibly moist. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice layer together to give every bite that cozy, orchard-fresh warmth that store-bought donuts never quite nail. The batter comes together fast, pipes neatly into a donut pan, and bakes up in about 12 minutes — so you're not hovering over a fryer or dealing with any mess. Brushing each warm donut with butter before pressing it into the cinnamon-sugar coating is the kind of finishing move that makes a dozen disappear in no time. This recipe makes 12, so there's just enough to share — though no one would blame you for keeping a few to yourself.
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Learn more →Ingredients
12 servings
For the donuts
- 1 ½ cups apple cider
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 3 tbsp water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the cinnamon-sugar coating
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Pour the apple cider into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cider has reduced to about 1/2 cup, 15–18 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
- 2
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 12-cavity donut pan (or two 6-cavity pans) thoroughly with nonstick spray or softened butter, making sure to coat the center posts.
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