Ugh, I love fall so much! 🍂 It’s the season of cozy sweaters, warm drinks, and of course, Apple Cider Donut Muffin
s
! One of my absolute favorite things to do every fall is visit Lynd Fruit Farm—if you’re a Columbus native, you know how amazing it is! Every time I go, I have to grab their fresh apple cider donuts. They’re just too good and full of nostalgia to pass up. However, as much as I adore those classic treats, I wanted to create a less messy, no-fry version that I could easily make at home. That’s how this Apple Cider Donut Bread recipe was born!
This Apple Cider Doughnut Bread gives you all the best parts of those donuts—intense apple flavor, warm spices, and that signature cinnamon sugar topping. Plus, it’s super easy, requires no fryer, and works perfectly as a loaf or muffins. Whether you’re enjoying it with your morning coffee or serving it up at a fall gathering, this recipe will definitely get you in the fall spirit. 🍁
Ingredients:
Apple Cider: Reducing the apple cider intensifies its flavor, giving the bread a deep, concentrated apple taste. It’s the key to infusing that warm, spiced apple vibe into every bite.
Unsalted Butter: The melted butter brings richness and moisture to the bread, making sure each bite is soft. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the amount of salt in the recipe.
Light Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar adds a hint of molasses, giving depth and chew to the bread, while granulated sugar helps with structure and sweetness. Together, they balance out the flavors perfectly.
Eggs: Eggs provide structure and moisture to the bread, helping it rise and giving it that light, cakey texture.
Sour Cream: Sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang, balancing out the sweetness and helping the bread stay soft and tender, even after a few days.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is essential in this Apple Cider Donut Bread because it adds a warm, sweet undertone that enhances the flavors of the apple cider and spices. Its aromatic qualities elevate the overall aroma, making your kitchen smell delightful as the bread bakes!
All-Purpose Flour: Flour is the base that gives the bread structure. It forms the framework for all the other ingredients, ensuring your bread has the perfect texture.
Baking Powder: This leavening agent helps the bread rise while baking, giving it a light, fluffy texture. Without it, the bread would be dense and heavy.
Salt: Salt enhances the other flavors and helps balance out the sweetness, giving the bread a more rounded taste.
Pumpkin Pie Spice & Cinnamon: These spices bring warmth and coziness to the bread, evoking all the best flavors of fall. The cinnamon, especially, shines in the topping, giving the bread a doughnut-like finish.
Enjoy Apple Cider Donut Bread Recipe with a Delicious Muffin Variation
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Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon for the batter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar for topping
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon for topping
Instructions
- Reduce the Apple Cider: In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the apple cider to a simmer and reduce it by half (about 10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent burning, and once done, set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract, sour cream, and reduced apple cider fritter recipe.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined—don’t overmix!
- Prepare Your Pan(s): If you’re making apple cider donut bread, pour the batter into a greased and lined 9×5 loaf pan. For muffins, divide the batter evenly into a lined muffin pan with your favorite muffin liners.
- Top with Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup of granulated sugar with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the top of the batter before baking.
- Bake: For the apple cider donut bread, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. For muffins, bake for 20-25 minutes. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, or let muffins cool for about an hour before enjoying!
Nutrition
Apple Cider Donut Bread Baking Tips:
- Reduce the Cider: The apple cider needs to be reduced to concentrate the flavor. Don’t skip this step, or your bread won’t have that signature apple kick!
- No Overmixing: Overmixing the batter can lead to dense bread. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet to keep the batter light and fluffy.
- Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Crust: Make sure to sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture before baking so that it bakes into the bread and gives you that donut-like crust. Trust me, it’s magical!
Storage Instructions
- Storage: Keep your apple cider donut recipe baked Bread or muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Wrap individual slices or muffins in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, just leave at room temperature.
- Reheating: Warm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-7 minutes, or microwave for 20-30 seconds (though this may soften the crust).
More of my recipes
Do you LOVE fall recipes?! Check out more of my fav recipes on my site:
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin Cookies
- Cinnamon Roll Muffins
- Apple Fritter Bread
Conclusion
There you have it—your new go-to recipe for Apple Cider Donut Bread! 🎉 This delightful loaf (or muffin!) is everything you love about fall rolled into one sweet and spiced treat. With every bite, you get a taste of the warm apple cider, cozy spices, and that irresistible cinnamon sugar topping that will have you reminiscing about those nostalgic trips to the farmer’s market. Trust me, your kitchen will smell like an autumn wonderland, and your friends and family will be begging for the recipe!
I encourage you to try this Apple Cider Donut Bread for your next cozy gathering, brunch, or even as an afternoon pick-me-up with your favorite cup of coffee. And remember, it’s perfect for sharing—so don’t be shy about slicing up that loaf or offering up a muffin or two to your neighbors (or keeping them all to yourself… I won’t tell!). 😉
Once you’ve baked a batch, I’d love to see how yours turned out! Snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @munchiesbymallory. It makes my day to see you all enjoying my recipes! Plus, if you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family. Spread the joy of baking—after all, good food is meant to be shared!
Lastly, if you’re looking for more delicious recipes or baking tips, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter for the latest updates, exclusive recipes, and baking hacks that will elevate your kitchen game. Thank you for being part of my baking journey, and happy fall baking! 🍏🍂
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