These Baked Apple Cider Donuts with Pan-Fried Apples are the fall crowd-pleaser you need.
Quick to make, full of cozy spice, and perfect for entertaining — from fall brunch boards to Halloween parties and Thanksgiving dessert tables.
Homemade Apple Cider Donuts With Pan-Fried Apples
September is here, which means we’re digging into all things fall! However, I don’t think our weather got the memo yet, because it’s still 80 degrees here in Michigan!
Crazy, right? But we’re loving these warm days, because winter will be here soon, and we’re not ready to deal with the cold weather.
These Spiced Apple Cider Pancake Donuts are really the best thing about fall, and a delicious fall treat. What’s fun about this recipe is taking Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix to make this delicious apple treat.
Each donut is soft, cakey, filled with cinnamon and cardamom, and features chunks of pan-fried apples for a bakery-style bite that you can make right at home.
One of the best things about this recipe, besides its flavor, is that they are lighter, easier, and ready in just about 10 minutes.
Then we brushed the donuts with melted butter and dipped them in a cinnamon-cardamom sugar coating, making them completely irresistible.
Why You’ll Love These Spiced Apple Cider Donuts:
- Quick & Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes, start to finish.
- Cozy Fall Flavor: Made with spiced apple cider, cinnamon, and cardamom.
- Holiday-Ready: Perfect for Thanksgiving brunch, Christmas breakfast, or fall dessert tables.
What You Will Need:
Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix. This mix serves as the base of the recipe, providing donuts with a fluffy, tender texture without the need to measure out multiple flours or leaveners. It’s the shortcut that makes these donuts weeknight-easy but still bakery-worthy.
Spiced Apple Cider. The star flavor of these donuts. Apple cider adds natural sweetness and depth, and the spices in it bring that unmistakable cozy fall taste. It’s what makes these donuts taste like autumn in every bite.
Buttermilk. Buttermilk adds richness and a slight tang, balancing the sweetness and keeping the donuts moist. If you don’t have buttermilk, whole milk works, but the tang from buttermilk really makes a difference.
Egg. The egg binds the batter together and gives the donuts structure, allowing them to hold their shape without being heavy.
Pure Vanilla Extract. Vanilla rounds out the flavor with a smooth sweetness, enhancing the warm spices without overpowering them.
Granulated White Sugar. Classic sweetness with a clean flavor. It also helps keep the donut crumb tender.
Light Brown Sugar. Brown sugar adds not just sweetness, but also a hint of molasses that deepens the flavor and lends a subtle chewiness to the texture.
Cinnamon. Cinnamon is essential for fall baking. It layers in warmth and coziness while enhancing the flavor of the apple cider.
Cardamom. Cardamom adds an unexpected twist — earthy, slightly citrusy, and floral. It makes these donuts taste a little more elevated than your average cider donut.
Kosher or Sea Salt. Salt sharpens all the sweet and spiced flavors, balancing the sugars and making the donut taste more complex.
Pan-Fried Apples. These are the game-changers. Sauteed with sugar, lemon, and cinnamon, the apples turn soft, sweet, and caramelized, adding little bursts of fruitiness baked right into each donut.
How To Make Spiced Apple Cider Pancake Batter Donuts
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake mix
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp kosher or sea salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup spiced apple cider + 1 tbsp
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or whole milk) + 1 tbsp
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
Pan-Fried Apples
- 1 baking apple, peeled, cored, and cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup granulated white sugar
- 1/4 tsp of ground cinnamon
Add the cubed apples, lemon juice, white granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon to a medium bowl. Toss and mix it evenly.
Add the mixture to a skillet on medium heat. Cook until softened, about 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Set aside.
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Brush the donut pan with melted butter or non-stick cooking canola cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, add 2 1/4 cups of Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake mix, 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated white sugar, and 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt. Mix well with a wire whisk or a fork.
- In a separate bowl, add a single egg. Next, add 1/2 cup plus one tablespoon of spiced apple cider, 1/2 cup and one tablespoon of buttermilk, and one tablespoon of pure vanilla extract. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Slowly mix the wet mixture into the dry mixture.
- Spoon the batter into a large zip-lock plastic bag with a corner cut off or a piping bag.
- Fill each donut circle of the donut pan halfway with the batter.
- If you want to take your fall flavors to the next level, add our pan-fried apples to the donut batter right before placing the donuts in the oven.
- Place on the center rack of the 350-degree oven and bake for 10 minutes.
- Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into a donut; it should come out clean.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow the donuts to cool.
- Brush each donut with melted butter and press the top into the ground cardamon, ground cinnamon, and sugar mixture.
- Serve.
Topping:
- melted unsalted butter
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
Tips for the best baked donuts:
- Don’t overmix the batter.
- Let the pan-fried apples cool slightly before adding them to the batter.
- Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
- Make mini donut holes if serving on a brunch board.
Variations & Substitutions
- No Buttermilk? Use whole milk and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
- Glaze Option: Swap cinnamon sugar for a maple glaze.
What To Serve With Apple Cider Donuts
- Hot apple cider, spiced chai, or coffee.
- Holiday brunch spreads with fruit, pastries, and savory dishes.
- Dessert tables featuring Baked Lemon Donuts with Blueberry Glaze, 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Donuts, or Caramel Apple Cupcakes.
What Is The Texture Of These Donuts?
These donuts are soft and cakey with a light crumb, thanks to the pancake mix base.
The pan-fried apples add little bursts of tender, spiced fruit in every bite, which is ideal for a seasonal treat.
Can I Make These Without A Donut Pan?
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a mini muffin tin to make baked donut holes or a standard muffin pan. However, if you want this donut look, it’s best to use a donut pan like this one.
If you use a regular muffin pan, adjust the baking time by a few minutes and check if the donuts are done with a toothpick.
Can I Freeze Apple Cider Donuts?
Bake and cool the donuts, then freeze them without the sugar topping.
When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature, then warm in the oven for a few minutes. Dip in a butter and sugar-spice mixture before serving.
Can I Use Apple Juice Instead Of Apple Cider?
You can, but the flavor will have less spice and be richer.
Apple cider adds a deeper fall flavor, while apple juice makes the donuts a little sweeter and lighter in taste.
What Spices Work Best In This Recipe?
We use cardamom and cinnamon for warmth, but you can swap in nutmeg, allspice, or pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal variation.
How Many Donuts Does This Recipe Make?
This recipe yields about 12 standard-size donuts. It can be doubled easily if you’re baking for a crowd.
How Should I Store These Donuts?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For more extended storage, freeze them and follow the reheating instructions above.
What Can I Serve With Apple Cider Donuts?
They’re best warm, paired with hot apple cider, spiced chai, or coffee.
These donuts also make a great addition to a fall dessert table or a holiday brunch spread.
Whether you’re searching for fall desserts for a crowd, holiday breakfast ideas, or a fun Thanksgiving brunch recipe, these Spiced Apple Cider Donuts will deliver.
Easy to make, full of flavor, and festive for every gathering — they’re proof that holiday baking doesn’t have to be complicated to impress.
More Fall Baking Recipes:
Nutella Stuffed Donuts with Espresso Sugar
Dark Chocolate Glazed Gingerbread Donuts
Spiced Apple Cider Pancake Donuts With Pan-Fried Apples
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake mix
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp kosher or sea salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup spiced apple cider + 1 tbsp
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or whole milk + 1 tbsp
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
Pan-Fried Apples
- 1 baking apple peeled, cored, and cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup granulated white sugar
- 1/4 tsp of ground cinnamon
- Add the cubed apples lemon juice, white granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon to a medium bowl. Toss and mix it evenly. Add the mixture to a skillet on medium heat. Cook until softened, about 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
Topping:
- melted unsalted butter
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Brush the donut pan with melted butter or non-stick cooking canola cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, add 2 1/4 cups of Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake mix, 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated white sugar, and 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt. Mix well with a wire whisk or a fork.
- In a separate bowl, add a single egg. Next, add 1/2 cup plus one tablespoon of spiced apple cider, 1/2 cup and one tablespoon of buttermilk, and one tablespoon of pure vanilla extract. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Slowly mix the wet mixture into the dry mixture.
- Spoon the batter into a large zip-lock plastic bag with a corner cut off or a piping bag.
- Fill each donut circle of the donut pan halfway with the batter.
- If you want to take your fall flavors to the next level, add our pan-fried apples to the donut batter right before placing the donuts in the oven.
- Place on the center rack of the 350-degree oven and bake for 10 minutes.
- Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into a donut; it should come out clean.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow the donuts to cool.
- Brush each donut with melted butter and press the top into the ground cardamon, ground cinnamon, and sugar mixture.
- Serve.
Leave a Reply