The Perfect Autumn Treat: Cozy Cider Donut Holes Recipe

Baked apple cider donut holes bring nostalgic warmth to your autumn snacking adventures.

These miniature delights pack intense seasonal flavor into every compact bite.

Sweet apple notes dance through delicate pastry, creating a mouthwatering experience that whispers of orchard memories.

Cinnamon-dusted exteriors promise a delightful crunch that complements the tender, spice-infused interior.

Home bakers can enhance simple ingredients into a comforting treat that feels both familiar and special.

Each morsel represents a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle complexity.

Your gathering will light up with these irresistible little gems.

Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes: A Cozy Autumn Treat

• Capture Autumn's Warmth: These donut holes burst with cozy fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, delivering a nostalgic taste of seasonal comfort right in your kitchen.
• Quick and Effortless Baking: With just 15 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of baking, you'll create delightful bite-sized treats that require minimal cooking skills and cleanup.
• Versatile Snacking Sensation: Perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, potlucks, or dessert, these mini donut holes offer a portable and crowd-pleasing option that satisfies sweet cravings without overwhelming richness.
• Healthier Indulgence: Baked instead of fried, these donut holes provide a lighter alternative to traditional donuts, featuring reduced apple cider for natural sweetness and a fraction of the typical deep-fried calories.

Key Ingredients to Make Apple Cider Donut Holes

• All-Purpose Flour: A key base that provides structure and texture for the donut holes.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Ginger: Warm spices that add depth and aromatic flavor to the recipe.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste and balances the sweetness.
• Baking Powder: Helps the donut holes rise and become light and fluffy.

• Reduced Apple Cider: Concentrated apple flavor that adds moisture and rich taste.
• Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and a subtle caramel-like depth.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness to the texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the donut holes moist and tender.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm background flavor.
• Sour Cream: Creates a tender crumb and adds subtle tanginess.

• Granulated Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Creates a sweet and spicy exterior that adds extra flavor and texture to the donut holes.
• Non-Stick Cooking Spray: Ensures easy removal of donut holes from the mini muffin pan.

A Simple Guide to Baking Perfect Apple Cider Donut Holes

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C) and get ready for some delicious baking magic.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Salt
• Baking powder

Whisk everything together until perfectly blended.

Step 3: Create Wet Ingredient Blend

• Reduced apple cider
• Brown sugar
• Egg
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract
• Sour cream

Mix until the mixture looks smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Combine and Rest

Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Don’t overmix! Let the batter take a quick 10-minute rest to develop its flavors.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Pan

Spray mini muffin pans with non-stick cooking spray. Fill each cup about 3/4 full with the delightful batter.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Create Cinnamon Sugar Coating

Whisk together sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Once the donut holes have cooled slightly, roll them in the sweet, spicy coating.

Step 8: Serve and Store

Enjoy these treats immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Watch them disappear quickly!

Tips for Making Your Donut Holes Extra Soft and Delicious

• Reduce Apple Cider: Simmer apple cider on the stovetop until it's thick and concentrated for deeper, richer flavor.
• Rest Batter Wisely: Allow the batter to rest for exactly 10 minutes to help ingredients meld and create a more tender texture.
• Don't Overmix: Fold wet and dry ingredients gently to prevent tough donut holes with dense, rubbery consistency.
• Fill Muffin Cups Carefully: Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to fill each mini muffin cup ¾ full for uniform, perfectly sized donut holes.
• Cool Before Coating: Let donut holes cool slightly before rolling in cinnamon sugar to help the coating stick better and prevent melting.

How to Keep Apple Cider Donut Holes Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store donut holes in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Keep them chilled for maximum freshness, and consume within 3-5 days for the best taste and texture.
• Freeze: Wrap individual donut holes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated or thawed donut holes in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their soft, tender texture. Dust with fresh cinnamon sugar before serving to revive their delightful flavor.

Pairing Apple Cider Donut Holes with These Drinks

• Brew a Warm Apple Chai Latte: Pair these donut holes with a spiced chai latte made with apple-infused syrup, creating a harmonious blend of autumn flavors that complement the cinnamon and nutmeg in the donut holes.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Cream: Whip up a light vanilla bean cream dip that adds a smooth, cool contrast to the warm, spiced donut holes, enhancing the dessert's richness and texture.
• Match with Salted Caramel Espresso: Enjoy a shot of espresso drizzled with salted caramel sauce, which cuts through the sweetness of the donut holes and provides a bold, sophisticated counterpoint to their soft, tender crumb.
• Pair with Spiced Mulled Cider: Serve alongside a warm mug of spiced mulled cider that echoes the apple cider used in the recipe, intensifying the seasonal and comforting nature of this delightful treat.

Spice Up Your Apple Cider Donut Holes with Fun Twists

• Maple Pecan Donut Holes: Swap brown sugar with maple syrup and fold in chopped pecans for a nutty, woodland-inspired treat.
• Gluten-Free Apple Spice Version: Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and add extra ground nutmeg for deeper warmth.
• Chocolate Chip Apple Holes: Mix mini chocolate chips into the batter before baking, creating pockets of melty sweetness throughout each bite.
• Cream Cheese Stuffed Option: Insert a small cube of cream cheese into the center of each donut hole before baking for a rich, creamy surprise.

Cider Donut Holes Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes bring warmth from New England’s autumn kitchens, blending spiced apple essence with delicate pastry perfection. Cinnamon-sugar coating and rich cider notes create an irresistible treat you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup apple cider (reduced to ½ cup and cooled)
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup sour cream
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

Wet Ingredients and Coating:

• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Ignite the oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C), establishing an ideal environment for baking.
2. In a medium mixing vessel, orchestrate a harmonious blend of flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and baking powder, ensuring each granule is evenly distributed.
3. Create a silky liquid foundation by whisking reduced apple cider, brown sugar, egg, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and sour cream until the mixture achieves a luxurious, uniform consistency.
4. Delicately marry the wet and dry ingredients, folding with gentle strokes until just incorporated. Allow the batter to rest and develop depth for 10 minutes.
5. Prepare mini muffin pans with a light mist of non-stick cooking spray, ensuring each cavity receives a protective coating.
6. Generously populate each muffin cup approximately three-quarters full with the prepared batter, creating uniform miniature vessels.
7. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, monitoring until a slender toothpick emerges pristine when inserted into the center.
8. After removing from the oven, permit the donut holes a brief cooling interlude of a few minutes.
9. Craft a tantalizing cinnamon sugar coating by vigorously whisking granulated sugar and ground cinnamon together.
10. While still warm, tenderly enrobe each donut hole in the fragrant cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
11. Serve immediately for optimal flavor and texture, or preserve in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Reducing apple cider concentrates its rich, tangy flavor, creating a deeper taste profile for these delightful mini treats.
• Resting the batter allows gluten to relax, ensuring a tender and soft texture in every bite-sized donut hole.
• Mini muffin pans transform ordinary donut batter into perfectly portioned, golden-brown morsels that are irresistibly cute.
• Coating warm donut holes in cinnamon sugar creates a crispy, sweet exterior that complements the moist, spiced interior.
• Storing in an airtight container helps maintain freshness, keeping these delectable donut holes enjoyable for several days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: <1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 40mg