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This soft, moist apple cider donut bread takes your favorite fall treat and turns it into an easy-to-make loaf while keeping all those warm, cozy flavors and that classic cinnamon sugar coating. My kids can't wait for our yearly apple orchard trips, but now we can enjoy these same yummy flavors right at home.
I came up with this bread during a stormy weekend when we couldn't make our planned trip to the local orchard. The second my kids tried it, all warm and smelling of spices, they said they liked it even more than the donuts we normally wait all season for.
Ingredients
- Apple cider: Boiled down to make it stronger, adding intense apple flavor and natural sweetness
- Butter: Gives the bread its soft texture and helps spread the warm spices throughout
- Brown sugar: Adds a rich caramel-like taste that works perfectly with the apple
- Apple pie spice blend: Brings that signature fall flavor with its mix of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves
- Cinnamon sugar coating: Creates that authentic donut feel with its sweet crunchy outside
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Reduce the Cider:
- Cook down 2 cups of apple cider until you have just 1 cup left, about 20 to 30 minutes. This really packs in the flavor and you can't skip it if you want that true apple cider donut taste. Your kitchen will start to smell amazing as it cooks.
- Prepare the Batter:
- Beat butter and brown sugar until it looks lighter and feels fluffy, roughly 3 minutes of mixing. This puts air into your batter for a softer bread. Mix in egg and vanilla until they're blended in but don't go overboard.
- Combine Wet and Dry:
- Add flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, salt and your cooled cider to the butter mix. Stir gently with a spatula just until everything comes together. Don't mix too much or your bread might turn out tough.
- Bake the Loaf:
- Pour your batter into a well-greased 9x5 loaf pan and bake at 350°F for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when you poke the middle. The top should look golden and slightly rounded with a few small cracks.
- Create the Donut Experience:
- While the bread is still warm, brush melted butter all over it, making sure to cover the top and sides. Right away sprinkle cinnamon sugar mix over the butter so it sticks, giving you that classic donut outside everyone loves.
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This bread has turned into our family's Sunday morning must-have all through apple season. My little girl always wants to help with the cinnamon sugar part, saying she needs to check that we don't miss any spots. Thanks to her careful work, our version ends up even tastier than what inspired it.
Make Ahead and Storage
This bread actually tastes even better the next day. After it's totally cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to save it longer, put the wrapped bread in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw naturally and warm it up a bit before eating to make it taste fresh-baked again.
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Serving Suggestions
This bread tastes great by itself but you can make it even better in a few ways. Try putting a slice in the toaster and adding some salted butter for breakfast. Want a dessert option? Warm up a thick piece and top it with vanilla ice cream and some caramel sauce. It also goes really well with afternoon coffee or tea, especially on cold days when you need something warm and comforting.
Seasonal Variations
In early fall, try using fresh-pressed cider from nearby orchards for the most genuine taste. During colder months when fresh cider is harder to get, good quality store-bought works just fine too. You can change up the recipe throughout the year by tweaking the spices. Add cardamom for a Swedish twist in winter or put in more ginger during the holidays for extra kick.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What’s a good apple cider replacement?
Apple juice works as an alternative, but it’ll taste sweeter and not as rich since it lacks the concentrated cider flavor.
- → When is the bread fully cooked?
Stick a toothpick into the center. If it pulls out clean or with soft crumbs, you’re done baking!
- → Do I have to reduce the cider?
Reducing it intensifies the flavor and makes the loaf taste more apple-forward. Skipping this will make the loaf less flavorful.
- → How do I get the sugary crust just right?
Once baked, brush it generously with melted butter, then pile on the cinnamon-sugar mix until fully coated for that crunch.
- → Can I store this in the freezer?
Absolutely! Wrap the loaf tightly in both plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Let it defrost at room temperature before eating.