Apple Cider Donuts – Orchard-Fresh Rings with Caramel Glaze
Orchard-fresh apple cider donuts: fluffy rings, reduced cider, caramel glaze. Bake or fry, two finishes, zero mixer. Autumn on a plate.
Why These Donuts Win
- Zero Mixer – bowl + spoon = done.
- Reduced Cider – concentrated autumn flavour.
- Two Finishes – bake OR fry, your call.
- Gift-Ready – pack in paper bag with ribbon.

Ingredient Spotlight
Donut Base
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup reduced apple cider (see step 1)
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Caramel Glaze
- ½ cup caster sugar
- 2 Tbsp water
- ¼ cup heavy cream, room temp
- Pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Method
- Reduce Cider: Simmer 2 cups apple cider 15 min until 1 cup; cool completely.
- Dry Mix: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
- Wet Mix: Whisk reduced cider, milk, egg, melted butter, vanilla.
- Combine: Pour wet over dry; fold just until combined (lumps are fine).
- Shape: Pipe or spoon into greased donut pan OR cut with floured cutter.
- Bake: 350 °F / 175 °C 10–12 min until golden. Cool 5 min.
- Glaze: Caramel recipe below; dip while warm.
Bake or Fry, Two Finishes
A. Bake (10 min)
- Pipe into greased donut pan.
- Bake 350 °F 10–12 min until golden.
B. Fry (3 min)
- Cut with floured cutter; fry 350 °F oil 90 sec per side.
- Drain on rack; dip while warm.
Storage & Make-Ahead
- Room temp: airtight 2 days.
- Freeze: baked donuts 2 months; thaw 10 min.
- Gift-ready: pack in paper bag with ribbon.
📖 Recipe Card
Apple Cider Donuts with Caramel Glaze
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup reduced apple cider
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup caster sugar
- 2 Tbsp water
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
- Reduce cider 15 min; cool.
- Mix dry; whisk wet; combine.
- Pipe or cut; bake 10–12 min.
- Dip in caramel glaze; devour.
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 12 min | Yield: 12 donuts | Category: Breakfast | Method: Oven/Fry
Baked and dipped? Tag @01easylife and let the cider river flow!


