Baking Apple Cider Donut Bread: A Fall Favorite Recipe
Crisp air, vibrant leaves, and cozy sweaters just beg for something warm and delicious to go with them. If you love the flavors of fall, you’re in for a treat with this Apple Cider Donut Bread recipe!
Imagine the sweet, spiced goodness of apple cider doughnuts baked into a soft, fragrant loaf that fills your home with the comforting aromas of cinnamon and apples. It’s the perfect companion for a cozy afternoon, whether you’re sipping cider by the fire or enjoying a fall movie marathon. Let’s bake this fall favorite together!
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There are two magical places that we visit when the fall season rolls around.
The first is Nebraska City, where we visit the historic J. Sterling Morton Arbor Lodge and pick fresh apples from the local apple orchard.
The other place is Junkstock, a magical flea market festival complete with antiques, vintage finds, and tempting food trucks.
What do these two places have in common?
Hot apple cider donuts!
Warm, spiced, and irresistibly soft on the inside…
Golden, sugary, with a crunchy exterior…
You know that autumn is in full swing when you bite into one of these!
Now you can enjoy these cinnamon-y apple cider flavors at home by baking your own apple cider donut bread recipe.
It is the perfect recipe for fall!
What is So Special About Apple Cider Donuts and Breads?
There’s a reason people rave about apple cider goodies!
It’s all about the cozy, nostalgic fall vibes they bring this time of year!
These little treats are packed with the warm, comforting flavors of apple cider and cinnamon, with just the right amount of sweetness. They’re like a bite of autumn in donut form—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and usually coated in cinnamon sugar for an extra touch of indulgence.
Whether you pick them up at a fall festival or pull them out of the oven at home, apple cider bread is the ultimate fall snack that screams sweater weather and pumpkin patches!
Here is What You’ll Need
Most of the items might already be in your pantry or cupboard. Grab a few more ingredients at the market to have on hand this fall so you can make this yummy loaf any time you want!
Bread Ingredients
- apple cider
- unsalted butter
- vanilla extract
- sour cream
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- light brown sugar
- all-purpose flour
- cornstarch
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- ginger
Cinnamon Sugar Coating Ingredients
- granulated Sugar
- cinnamon
- melted butter
Apple Cider vs. Apple Juice
The main difference between apple cider and apple juice comes down to how they’re made.
Apple cider is fresh, unfiltered, and usually unpasteurized, which means it has a bold, tangy flavor and a cloudy appearance from the apple pulp. It’s like biting into a crisp apple!
Apple juice, on the other hand, is filtered and pasteurized for a clearer, sweeter, and smoother taste. It’s more processed and often lasts longer on the shelf. Both are delicious, but apple cider brings that rustic, straight-from-the-orchard goodness!
How to Make Apple Cider Doughnut Loaf Cake
While the oven is preheating, prep a loaf pan by spraying the inside with non-stick cooking spray and lining the bottom off the pan with parchment paper. This makes removing your finished quick bread loaf so much easier later on!
Bring the apple cider to a boil in a small saucepan and let it simmer for about 8 minutes. This will reduce the liquid to 1/2 cup and will concentrate the apple flavor in the cider.
Let the reduced cider cool slightly in a small bowl and then mix in the sour cream and vanilla. Melt the butter in the same saucepan you just used for the cider.
Next, using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat together the eggs and brown sugar until smooth and slightly frothy.
With the machine set to low, gradually incorporate the melted butter into the egg mixture.
In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. (You can substitute apple pie spice for the other spices if you like.)
Gently add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, alternating with the cider and sour cream wet ingredients. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. Mix everything until it’s just combined—be careful not to overmix so your bread stays light and fluffy!
Pour the cake batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes until golden brown and a knife or toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the loaf.
Be sure to take some deep breaths and enjoy the amazing apple cinnamon smell that will fill your kitchen!
Once you take the loaf out of the oven, let it cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack.
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
To make the cinnamon sugar coating, simply combine 1/4 cup of sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
And then you create cider donut magic!
Generously brush melted butter on the top and sides of the baked loaf. Then sprinkle the sugar mixture on the top and sides of the bread.
And when I say “sprinkle”, I really mean “slather!” While I started artfully sprinkling the sugar, I ended up grabbing the cinnamon sugar by the handful and rubbing it all over the warm cake. This creates the buttery, crunchy exterior that I love so much.
Don’t let excess sugar go to waste…grab it and press it back onto the bread!
Ready to slice, eat, and enjoy!
Apple Cider Donut Bread
Equipment
- 1 loaf pan
- 1 parchment paper sheet
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- 1 small saucepan
- 1 whisk
- 1 spatula
- 1 stand mixer or hand mixer
- 1 Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour (plus 2 Tbsp.)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ginger
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. As the oven preheats, prepare your loaf pan by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray and lining the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a small saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil. Allow it to simmer for approximately 8 minutes, or until the liquid reduces to 1/2 cup.
- Once the cider has reduced, let it cool slightly in a small bowl. Mix in the sour cream and vanilla extract. In the same saucepan, melt the butter.
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat together the eggs and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the melted butter to the egg mixture, blending thoroughly.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. For a simplified spice blend, you may substitute apple pie spice.
- With the mixer set to low, add a little of the the dry ingredients into the egg mixture, alternating with the cider and sour cream mixture. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—be cautious not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of your bread.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and a knife or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the loaf to cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. For the cinnamon sugar coating, combine 1/4 cup of sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Brush the warm loaf generously with melted butter, then coat with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Enjoy!
Storing Apple Cider Donut Bread
To keep your apple cider donut bread fresh and flavorful, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, making sure no air gets in. For extra protection, you can also cover it with a layer of aluminum foil. This will help lock in moisture and prevent it from drying out. For best results, store the bread at room temperature for up to 3 days, or pop it in the fridge if you need it to last a bit longer.
Want to freeze your apple cider donut bread for later? No problem! Just wrap it up snugly in plastic wrap, add a layer of aluminum foil, and pop it in the freezer.
Pro tip: slice it before freezing so you can grab a piece anytime that cozy fall craving hits! When you’re ready, just let it thaw or warm it up in the oven for that fresh-from-the-oven taste!
Why You’ll Love This
- Irresistible Flavor: Enjoy the perfect blend of sweet and spiced apple cider goodness in every bite.
- Cozy Fall Vibes: This bread brings all the warm, comforting feels of autumn right to your kitchen.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have a delicious treat in no time.
- Perfect Texture: Experience a delightful mix of a fluffy interior and a slightly crunchy exterior.
- Versatile Treat: Great for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert—this bread fits any occasion.
- House-Filling Aroma: Baking this bread fills your home with the comforting scents of cinnamon and apples.
- Freezes Well: Make a batch and freeze it for a quick, tasty treat anytime you need a fall fix.
As you savor each bite of this apple cider donut bread, you’ll find it brings a touch of that farmstand cider doughnut magic right into your kitchen.
With its warm, spiced flavor and delightful texture, it’s like enjoying a cozy autumn day in every slice.
Whether you’re sharing it with friends, enjoying it with your morning coffee, or simply indulging on your own, this bread is sure to become a fall favorite.
Cheers!
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hi! I’m missy. so nice to meet you!
“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness!”
I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.
I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends for a delicious meal.
Homes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!
– cheers! –
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This apple cider donut bread recipe looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it this fall. Thanks for sharing!
Oh yum! This looks and sounds delicious. I need to try making this.