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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts

breakfast· doughnuts and sweet rolls· Fall Flavors
October 23, 2017

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Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts – Spiced doughnuts with a little apple flavor from fresh apple cider and topped with cinnamon crumbs to make for the best baked doughnut you’ve ever had!

Stack of Apple Cider Crumb DoughnutsGuys – did you know apple cider is incredible?? I began experimenting with it last year in my baking and I almost like it better than real apples. Yeah, I said it!

Chunks of fruit can sometimes get in the way of certain treats so apple cider is a great way to get that flavor without all the hassle of chopped fruit. Case and point: these apple cider caramels. Could you imagine making these with real apples? Yeah, me either.

Today’s recipe is another example of a great recipe that works better with cider than real apples: Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts!

Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts with powdered sugar on topStack of Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts with a bite out of one Half of an Apple Cider Crumb Doughnut

This recipe yields the most moist doughnuts you’ve ever had, with plenty of fall spice and apple flavor to get you in the mood for the season. You’re gonna melt into a state of pure happiness as soon as you bite into it.

Now, let me clear about one thing. Real apples make INCREDIBLE apple fritters. But those are a little more labor-intensive since (1) you gotta make yeast dough and (2) there is frying involved. So I am focusing on making a baked doughnut for this recipe.

I mean, after two fried doughnut recipes in a row (this one and this one), I guess it’s time I make it a little easier you.

For these baked doughnuts, I’m using a doughnut pan. This pan is extremely non-stick and releases the doughnuts with very little effort so I highly recommend it.

And look how gorgeous they come out! You wouldn’t even know that you took the easy way out.

Mixing the Apple Cider Crumb Doughnut batter in a bowl Filling the pan with the batter and crumb topping Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts with powdered sugar on top next to an apple

To make the dough, it’s just as simple as making a cake or muffin batter. Once the dough is ready, I use a piping bag to help the fill the molds evenly. You can use a spoon, but that seems like it would take forever and get messy.

For the crumbs, I’m using the same recipe as my classic crumb cake. They’re so easy to make since they use melted butter instead of cold butter, like some other recipes might. You simply melt butter, mix all the ingredients into a wet batter, refrigerate to make the butter solid again, and then crumble with your fingers to make gorgeous crumbs.

Before you get started on baking, here are a few tips to make sure you get this recipe perfectly right:

  1. As is true for all batters (cake, muffin, doughnuts, etc), you do NOT want to overmix. This will make the dough super tough, instead of light and fluffy. So even if you have a stand mixer, that does not mean you can walk away while everything is mixing. No, ma’am. Only let it mix until just combined.
  2. Even though this doughnut pan is super non-stick, I still spray my pan with a little non-stick spray for extra insurance. The last thing I wanted to do was pull apart doughnut pieces from the pan.
  3. This recipe calls for reduced cider to make the apple flavor more prominent, which I simply made by boiling cider for 10 minutes. Make sure to let it cool to room temperature before adding it to the batter.
  4. I love to sprinkle my doughnuts with powdered sugar for a pretty presentation. If you want to do this too, make sure the doughnuts are completely cooled, or else they’ll absorb the sugar and you won’t see it anymore.

Alright, there you have it! Such an incredible fall doughnut that is so much fun to make.

If you have some leftover apple cider after making these doughnuts, you HAVE to make this Apple Cider Moscow Mule. INCREDIBLE. Ginger and apple are a match made in heaven. I posted the recipe on my Instagram so click here to check it out or see it embedded below.

Are you ready for the easiest fall cocktail you’ve ever made? Thanks to the Mule Cocktail Mix from @craftdcocktails, this Apple Cider Moscow Mule can be made in seconds. Apple and ginger pair perfectly together so this drink will blow you away! Check out the full recipe below! #ad ……………………………………………………………………………3 ounces apple cider 3 ounces Crafted Cocktails Mule Cocktail Mix 2 ounces vodka sprinkle of cinnamon cinnamon stick & sliced apple for garnish 1. Fill copper mug 2/3 full with ice 2. Pour cider, Mule Cocktail Mix, and vodka into mug and stir 3. Sprinkle with cinnamon and garnish with cinnamon stick and apple slice 4. Enjoy!!

A post shared by sharon (@certifiedpastryaficionado) on Oct 10, 2017 at 11:59am PDT

Here are all the kitchen tools and serveware that I used in today’s recipe. For each item sold below, I make a small commission. I only recommend items that I own and love so you can trust that each recommendation is tried and true. Thank you for supporting CPA!

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Apple Cider Crumb Doughnut with a bite out of it

Print Recipe

Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts

Spiced doughnuts with a little apple flavor from fresh apple cider and topped with cinnamon crumbs to make for the best baked doughnut you've ever had!
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Servings: 16 doughnuts

Ingredients

For the crumb topping:
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons butter unsalted, melted
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons flour
For the cider doughnuts:
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 2 1/2 - 3 cups flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 10 tablespoons butter unsalted, melted
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • powdered sugar for sprinkling
  • crumbs (from recipe above)

Instructions

For the crumb topping:
  • Whisk sugars, cinnamon, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl. Add melted butter and mix with a spatula or wooden spoon to combine. Add flour 1/3 of a cup at a time. Mix until fully combined. Place in refrigerator while you make cake batter. Don't worry -it shouldn't look like crumbs yet.
  • When ready to top the batter with crumbs, remove mixture from fridge. It should be solid. Break up the mixture with you fingers. I used a spoon to get it started. Now crumbs are ready to sprinkle over doughnuts before baking. If not using right away, place back in fridge to keep them chilled.
For the cider doughnuts:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray you doughnut pans with nonstick spray and set aside.
  • Place cider in a medium saucepan and set on stove over medium heat. Cook until cider reduces to 3/4 cup, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • Add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk together until combined. Set aside
  • In the bowl of stand mixer, place butter and sugars and beat together until smooth. Add vanilla and 1 egg. Beat until smooth. Add other egg and beat until smooth. Add cooled reduced cider and buttermilk to batter and mix just until combined. Add all of the flour mixture to batter and mix just until combined. Do not over mix! If you notice that the batter is runny, add 1/2 cup more flour. It should be thicker than pancake batter but not as thick as brownie batter.
  • Place batter into a plastic storage bag to make filling the doughnut mold easy. If you do want to use a storage bag, you can simply spoon it in, but that will take longer. Snip the corner of the bag and fill doughnuts molds completely. I had 12 molds so I needed to wait until the 12 cooked before making the other 4.
  • Sprinkle crumbs (from recipe above) over the filled doughnut molds. Cover the batter completely with crumbs. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until doughnuts begin to brown very slightly around the edges. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes in the pan. Then, remove from pan and cool completely on cooling rack.
  • If you want to sprinkle with powdered sugar, wait until completely cooled or else the doughnut will absorb the powdered sugar. If presentation is not a concern, go ahead and sprinkle when warm and eat immediately.
  • Store doughnuts in a storage container lightly sealed with foil so that the moisture isn't trapped. Doughnuts are best on the same day but will stay good for the next day or so.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Ready to Yumble

Pin for later:

Apple Cider Crumb Doughnuts photo collage

More breakfast treats you’ll love:

Pistachio Cream Doughnuts

Pistachio Cream Doughnuts with pistachio cream coming out

Blueberry Coffee Cake

Blueberry Coffee Cake on wax paper

Blackberries & Cream Slider Doughnuts

Blackberries & Cream Slider Doughnuts filled with blackberries

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28 Comments

« Four Cheese Pizza Dunkers
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Comments

  1. Emma Davis says

    May 15, 2021 at 4:02 am

    Sweet donuts are a treat for children and adults. Of course, they cannot be classified as healthy food, but homemade baked goods are definitely better than donuts from a store of unknown composition and origin. The only moment is to hide them from the children because mine is never limited to one. Each time the taste turns out a little different, sometimes juicy, sometimes more reminiscent of cookies. But every time my family members say that there is nothing better for tea than this pastry.

    Reply
  2. Meghan says

    October 25, 2017 at 1:42 am

    This looks so delicious!!! I know what I’m making this weekend

    Reply
  3. Evi says

    October 24, 2017 at 10:47 am

    omggg these look amazing! So moist, and I’m definitely going to have to try this!

    Reply
  4. Angie says

    October 24, 2017 at 10:34 am

    Those look delicious! I’d love to try those.

    Reply
  5. Joanie @ One Dish Kitchen says

    October 24, 2017 at 9:03 am

    Oh my goodness, these look fantastic! I would love a couple with my coffee this morning – and that streusel topping – delicious!!

    Reply
  6. Meghan says

    October 24, 2017 at 2:03 am

    Oh my god these look absolutely amazing! I need to give this a try soon!

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      October 24, 2017 at 1:11 pm

      Thank you!! I am so in love with them!

      Reply
  7. Denay DeGuzman says

    October 24, 2017 at 12:51 am

    What a fantastic seasonal recipe! These glorious apple cider crumb doughnuts are literally calling my name. They look absolutely scrumptious. 🙂

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      October 24, 2017 at 1:11 pm

      Thanks so much! I am all about seasonal recipes. Make sure to check the others out!

      Reply
  8. Jenny says

    October 23, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    These look so yummy and perfect for fall!

    Reply
  9. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    October 23, 2017 at 7:46 pm

    I had no idea about apple cider working so well! That’s fab! AND….I have some in the fridge and I will be making these donuts — they look so good (that topping)!!

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      October 24, 2017 at 1:10 pm

      Yessss. The topping is my favorite part!

      Reply
  10. Laura Rike says

    October 23, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    These would make a great dessert for a family holiday gathering!

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      October 24, 2017 at 1:09 pm

      They really would!

      Reply
  11. Kate says

    October 23, 2017 at 5:06 pm

    OMG yum! Im instantly craving doughnuts and coffee!

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      October 24, 2017 at 1:09 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  12. Nancy Laws (@SheMeets) says

    October 23, 2017 at 2:39 pm

    O my goodness, this recipe looks amazing! I have never thought of using apple cider in baking but it is a brilliant idea!

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      October 24, 2017 at 1:08 pm

      Oh man you’re gonna love it!

      Reply
  13. Keating | KeatingBartlett.com says

    October 23, 2017 at 12:38 pm

    These look absolutely delicious!! Too bad I completely suck at cooking and baking! haha

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      October 24, 2017 at 1:07 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  14. Mimi says

    October 23, 2017 at 12:19 pm

    Wow! This looks amazing! It made my mouth watery <3

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      October 24, 2017 at 1:07 pm

      Mission accomplished!

      Reply
  15. Ruthie Ridley says

    October 23, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    These look amazing!! The perfect Fall recipe!!

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      October 24, 2017 at 1:07 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  16. anne - onedeterminedlife says

    October 23, 2017 at 11:27 am

    These look so good!! I think I may just go out and get a doughnut pan

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      October 24, 2017 at 1:07 pm

      Yes! You’re gonna love it.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 29 Greatest Apple Cider Dessert Recipes | Decor Dolphin says:
    December 3, 2018 at 3:53 pm

    […] From: Certified Pastry Aficionado […]

    Reply
  2. Irish Cream Chocolate Doughnuts says:
    March 12, 2018 at 5:26 am

    […] mark the second recipe I’ve made with my handy-dandy doughnut pan. The first was this apple cider crumb doughnut back in the fall. They turned out so incredibly well that I am seriously questioning whether […]

    Reply

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Hi, my name is Sharon. I’m an accountant by day, risk-taking baker and food enthusiast by night. Come join me as I share my favorite recipes and test out new ones along the way!

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