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    You are here: Home / Breakfast / Apple Cinnamon Donuts with Apple Cider Glaze

    Apple Cinnamon Donuts with Apple Cider Glaze

    Last Updated September 27, 2021. Published October 13, 2020 By Lorie 20 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Stack of apple donuts with apple cider glaze.

    These delicious Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts are so simple to make. Ready in under 30 minutes and with a perfect apple cider glaze on top! The perfect fall breakfast!

    Baked apple donuts stacked with glaze and cinnamon sticks.

    This recipe was originally published in November 2017 and updated October 2020.

    I am a full on cake donut fan. Don't give me the air filled yeast donuts. No thanks.

    Old Fashioned sour cream are my very favorite on the planet. Those will be happening in some way soon here.

    But for now, baked donuts will do. These baked apple cider donuts are soooo simple to make and whip up in no time as well. So they will surely do for me!

    When apple season is in full swing, they become my Frank's Red Hot--ya know, I put that $#&@ on everything. Literally. Apple Pie Overnight Oats, Apple Pancakes, and definitely an Apple Dump Cake or two!

    And these apple cider glaze covered goodies are yet another way to enjoy my Fujis!

    Why I love these baked apple cinnamon donuts:

    • These apple donuts are kid friendly from start to finish.
    • Juicy apples are baked right into the donuts.
    • 15 minutes of prep, tops.
    • Three words: apple cider glaze.

    Weekend brunching and cold days in with the kids just got a whole lot tastier!

    Ingredients:

    Just a handful of ingredients needed for these baked apple cinnamon donuts. I use regular all-purpose flour but imagine that a 1:1 gluten free flour will sub well.

    Plain Greek yogurt is what I prefer but you could use a vanilla Greek yogurt instead.

    As for your apples, choose your favorite. I typically opt for Fuji or Gala because that is what we always have on hand. Lots of apples are great options for baking!

    Flour, apple, sugar, cinnamon and other ingredients labeled on counter.

    For the Apple Cider Glaze:

    As for the the incredible apple cider glaze, you will just need:

    • powdered sugar
    • apple cider
    • vanilla

    If you don't have apple cider, that is ok, you can always use milk or cream!

    How to make these apple cider donuts:

    Whisk together the wet ingredients plus the sugar until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk dry ingredients together. Then combine the dry and wet and stir to combine. No need to over stir the dry and the wet, just enough until they are incorporated. (steps 1-3)

    Eggs, sugar and ingredients in mixing bowl

    Fold in the diced apples. (steps 5-6) Seriously, these baked apple cider donuts don't get much easier, do you agree??

    From there, I like to pipe mine into the donut pan for less mess, but you can spoon them if you prefer. Make sure the donut pan is sprayed well!

    Apple cinnamon donut batter with apples added.

    Once they are baked, allow the apple donuts to cool for several minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to prep for the glaze.

    Batter in baking pan, and baked donuts.

    I prefer a really nice and thick glaze. You can make it thinner if you prefer. I have had better luck spreading the glaze across the donuts versus dunking them into the bowl of icing.

    At any rate, just get the donuts glazed, and glazed well and you will be good to go!

    Freshly glazed donuts on cooling rack.

    Recipe Notes and Pro-Tips:

    • If you don't have any apple cider, simply use milk or cream for the liquid in the glaze. I would not opt for apple juice as I find to have much less flavor, but if you do have it, you could still use it.
    • For a really nice glaze to set, you want the donuts COMPLETELY cooled before you ice them. If not, the glaze will melt into the donuts. This is not always a bad thing though!
    • I use plain Greek yogurt in my apple cinnamon donuts. You could use a vanilla Greek yogurt as well and have great results.
    • Make sure to spray the top of your donut pan as well. That way it is easy to get the donuts out in case they bake over at all.
    Glazed donut with cinnamon stick and donut half.

    Other Breakfast Recipes:

    • Greek Yogurt Donuts with Chocolate Glaze
    • The Easiest Homemade Pop Tarts
    • Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Cookies
    • Maple Bacon French Toast Muffins
    • Triple Vanilla Donuts with Maple Vanilla Glaze

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    Apple donuts with apple cider glaze stacked.

    Baked Apple Donuts with Apple Cider Glaze

    These simple Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts are so simple to make. Ready in under 30 minutes and with a perfect apple cider glaze on top! The perfect fall breakfast!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 12 donuts
    Calories: 192kcal
    Author: Lorie Yarro

    Ingredients 

    For the Donuts:

    • 1 c flour
    • 1 egg
    • ½ c milk
    • 2 T butter melted
    • ⅓ c Greek Yogurt
    • ½ c sugar
    • 1 apple, med-small I prefer gala or fuji
    • 2-3 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    For the Glaze:

    • 2 c powdered sugar
    • 3-4 T apple cider
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • dash of cinnamon (optional)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel and dice the apple.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, egg, sugar, vanilla, butter and yogurt.
    • In a separate bowl, combine baking powder, flour, sea salt, baking soda and cinnamon.
    • Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients and then fold in apples.
    • Spoon or pipe batter into a greased donut pan and bake for about 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
    • Allow to cool completely and then whisk together glaze ingredients. Spread the glaze over top of the donuts. For best results, store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days in an airtight container.

    Notes

    • If you don't have any apple cider, simply use milk or cream for the liquid in the glaze. I would not opt for apple juice as I find to have much less flavor, but if you do have it, you could still use it.
    • For a really nice glaze to set, you want the donuts COMPLETELY cooled before you ice them. If not, the glaze will melt into the donuts. This is not always a bad thing though!
    • I use plain Greek yogurt in my apple cinnamon donuts. You could use a vanilla Greek yogurt as well and have great results.
    • Make sure to spray the top of your donut pan as well. That way it is easy to get the donuts out in case they bake over at all.
    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Lemons + Zest makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe? I would love to see it! Mention @LemonsAndZest or tag #LemonsAndZest!

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    Comments

    1. Becky Bjork says

      October 02, 2021 at 12:56 pm

      5 stars
      So good and so simple to make. These had great rise and texture plus the maximum apple flavor I was hoping for. Since I use powdered buttermilk, I added it to the dry ingredients. Then I used the appropriate amount of apple cider instead of the water to make the buttermilk. .

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        October 04, 2021 at 2:41 pm

        So happy to hear you loved them. What a great idea on the buttermilk and cider! Yum!

        Reply
    2. Marj says

      January 21, 2021 at 6:05 pm

      Can you use regular yogurt

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        January 21, 2021 at 7:56 pm

        Hi! From what I just read, you should be able to sub regular yogurt with no issues. Let me know how it goes!

        Reply
    3. Alisa says

      November 07, 2017 at 10:48 am

      Yum! These look so rich, flavorful, and hearty - just how I like baked goods. And I keep all of these ingredients on hand - except for the Greek yogurt, but that's an easy swap!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        November 14, 2017 at 9:39 am

        For sure! Could easily be made dairy free!

        Reply
    4. Sonali- The Foodie Physician says

      November 06, 2017 at 11:37 pm

      I'm so excited for these fall inspired donuts! They look amazing!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        November 14, 2017 at 9:39 am

        Thanks and enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Christine says

      November 06, 2017 at 7:32 pm

      Oh, YUM! Love all things apple, cinnamon, and fall right now. These would be perfect and would make my house smell amazing!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        November 14, 2017 at 9:40 am

        Yes, the House aroma is a bonus!

        Reply
    6. Rachel says

      November 06, 2017 at 7:28 pm

      Apples are my favorite. This sounds like a delicious recipe.

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        November 14, 2017 at 9:40 am

        Thanks!

        Reply
    7. Taylor Kiser says

      November 06, 2017 at 3:05 pm

      Congratulations on your baby!
      These apple cinnamon baked donuts are calling my name! I would love these for breakfast or as an afternoon snack!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        November 14, 2017 at 9:40 am

        Thanks so much Taylor!!!

        Reply
    8. Sarah says

      November 06, 2017 at 1:58 pm

      I can imagine the looks and comments, especially in society today and all the pressure on moms to get that perfect pre baby body right after their babies are born when they should be focused on recovery, caring for themselves, and cherishing and soaking up all the newborn baby snuggles.

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        November 14, 2017 at 9:33 am

        Agree! Hoping that’s the way we can shift!

        Reply
      • Carla says

        October 10, 2022 at 11:11 pm

        Lorie, can I sub sour cream for the Greek yogurt?

        Reply
        • Lorie says

          October 11, 2022 at 8:40 am

          Hi Carla! I think that should work fine!!

          Reply
    9. Emily Bamonte says

      November 06, 2017 at 1:53 pm

      I absolutely love reading your blog! Even in your darkest days you have continued to inspire me. Today's blog rang so true to my ears... after 5 years with zero pregnancies we were on our 5th and final IVF cycle and it worked... with twins. Now I get the comments "you look so good for having twins." I loved the way I looked large and swollen while I was pregnant and I am not nor will I ever be unhappy with my mom pooch or my stretch marks. Ever since my sister (Jessica Ballman) introduced me to your blog I have prayed for happiness for your family and I am so excited you finally have your miracle! Thank you (again) for reminding us about how beautiful parenthood is (no matter how you come across it)

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        November 06, 2017 at 7:08 pm

        Emily thank you so much for your comment!! First, I’m so happy to hear of your success. I thank you so much for your prayers—our miracle took a village, trust me, my mom had most of Cincinnati praying as well. It’s so refreshing to hear positivity around your body after babies. Tell Jess I said hello!!!

        Reply

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    Hello! I’m Lorie, welcome to lemons + zest! If you love to eat, and you love delicious, simple recipes, then you are in the right place. When it comes to cooking these days, I firmly believe that if it takes too long, or too much work to make, then it’s not for me. Read More…

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