Don't you just love fall? The change of seasons, the crisp air and colourful leaves. One of my favourite ways to celebrate the season is spending an afternoon at a local farm enjoying festive fall activities. Going apple picking, checking out the pumpkin patch, corn mazes or spooky trails, and hayrides are some of my favourite things to do. This gluten-free Apple Cider Donut recipe is the perfect fall treat to remind you of those fun farm days. These miniature treats are reminiscent of the cinnamon sugar donuts you'd get at the fair, but with an apple twist!
The superstar of this recipe is apples. I used the freshly pressed apple cider I received from our local farm share, called a CSA from Willow Tree Farm in Port Perry as inspiration. The key to these donuts is boiling the cider down to a concentrate to intensify that sweet apple taste. I also added apple butter to this recipe to round it out for a true apple flavour. Cinnamon and nutmeg spice these donuts, giving them a warm fall flare. Overall I think these donuts are the perfect amount of spicy and sweet, bursting with apple and cinnamon!
I promise once you bake these donuts that you won't be able to eat just one! They're best enjoyed with a steaming mug of farm fresh apple cider to celebrate the season. Enjoy, and please if you try this recipe be sure to share your creation on Instagram and tag us, or leave a review of the recipe and comment below!
Do you love the fall time? I'm obsessed with the changing leaves and all the festive fall activities; from corn mazes to the pumpkin patch, apple picking, and enjoying a hot cup of apple cider on a hay ride. This Apple Cider Donut recipe will remind you of a fall filled day on the farm. Cozy up with a warm mug of cider to dip these delicious donuts in. Aromatic cinnamon and nutmeg spice them up, while their cinnamon sugar coating sweetens the senses! These are an apple lovers dream, made with both fresh apple cider and apple butter.
In a small pot over high heat, bring apple cider to a boil, then reduce to simmer 1 1/2 cups of Apple Cider down to 3/4 cup (Takes 10-15 minutes). Set aside to cool once simmered down.
In a large bowl cream together sugar and room temperature butter with electric mixer until light and creamy - about 3-4 minutes.
Add egg to sugar mixture and mix until thoroughly combined. Then add apple butter and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
In a separate bowl combine the Gluten Free flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk to combine.
Alternate adding the flour mixture and cooled apple cider into your wet sugar mix slowly, until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Portion the donut mix into the prepared donut pan, filling molds 3/4 of the way. Any higher and they will not form donut shapes!
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
In two separate bowls, melt butter and whisk together sugar and cinnamon.
Remove donuts from the pan and allow to cool slightly. Brush with a small amount of melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Enjoy!
Recipe Note
I made this recipe in a mini donut pan but you could make them full size! It yields about 24 mini donuts, or a dozen full sized donuts.
