Fresh warm donuts, coated in cinnamon sugar, filled with apple flavour. These Apple Cider Doughnuts melt in your mouth and will have you wanting more.

History Behind this Recipe

When my kids were little, we would take them apple-picking every September. We always went to the same apple orchard. They made the best Apple Cider Doughnuts at this orchard. My family looked forward to this treat every year. I think they enjoyed the doughnuts more than the actual apple picking.

Now that my kids are older and we don’t go apple picking anymore, they miss the doughnuts, so I went in search of a recipe that could replicate the taste of the doughnuts they served at the orchard.

After many tries, I created this recipe and the kids loved them. They are not the same as the orchard, but they are close, and the kids loved them so that is a win.

This recipe can also easily be cut in half. We are a large family and I like to share with extended family so this is a rather large recipe.

Apple Cider vs Apple Cider Vinegar

Please don’t confuse apple cider with apple cider vinegar. They are definitely two different things.

You may be thinking, “But I know the difference between the two.” I only bring this up because I have been asked if they are the same or can apple cider vinegar be substituted. That is a big NO!

If you don’t have apple cider, you can use apple juice and add a large shredded apple to the juice while you are simmering it to help thicken it. The apple will also add more apple flavour to the doughnuts.

Serving Apple Cider Doughnuts

These doughnuts are best served warm. My kids and Mike will eat them fresh out of the cinnamon sugar, while they are still piping hot. I prefer to let them cool a little longer so I don’t burn my mouth.

Doughnuts can easily be heated in the microwave. If you plan on reheating them later, skip the coating of cinnamon sugar until you reheat them or the sugar will melt when they are reheated.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in freezer bags in the freezer for up to one month. When freezing, I skip the cinnamon sugar coating because it doesn’t hold well in the freezer. I then reheat the thawed doughnuts in the microwave for a few seconds and toss them in the cinnamon sugar coating while they are warm before serving.

Get the Kids Involved

The kids usually like to help me bake, but I don’t like them around the hot oil when I am frying. So for this recipe, I place the cinnamon and sugar in small paper lunch bags. Then when the doughnuts are ready to coat, I place them in the paper bags and allow the kids to shake them. That way they feel like they are helping and they have fun doing it. Just make sure they don’t shake them too hard or they will break up the doughnut.

Sharing is Caring

Since this recipe makes such a large batch, I like to share these with family and friends. These doughnuts are perfect for an after-school study group, or for a classroom or workplace potluck.

If you looking for more apple recipes, check out my Spiced Apple Jam recipe.