Apple Cider Cake Doughnuts

Sep 30, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Pastries doughnuts Vanilla: Paste Medium

Fresh apple cider cake doughnuts on a wire cooling rack, one broken open to show the tender inside

Tender cake doughnuts flavored with spiced apple cider and vanilla, fried to golden perfection and finished with a smooth vanilla glaze. A seasonal treat with a moist crumb and warm aroma.

Prep 30 min

Cook 15 min

Cooling 15 min

Total 1 hr

Yield 14 doughnuts

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

doughnuts

2 ¼ cups (281.0 g)all-purpose flour
½ cup (100.0 g)granulated sugar
2.0 tsp (8.0 g)baking powder
½ tsp (2.0 g)baking soda
½ tsp (3.0 g)fine sea salt
½ tsp (1.0 g)ground nutmeg
½ tsp (1.0 g)ground cinnamon
2.0 largeeggs
¾ cup (180.0 ml)apple cider
¼ cup (60.0 ml)buttermilk
3.0 tbsp (42.0 g)unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1.0 tsp (5.0 g)vanilla bean paste
neutral frying oil (such as canola), for frying
1 ½ cups (180.0 g)powdered sugar, for the vanilla glaze
3.0 tbsp (45.0 ml)whole milk, for the vanilla glaze
1.0 tsp (5.0 g)vanilla bean paste, for the glaze

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon.
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until lightly frothy. Add the apple cider, buttermilk, melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, whisking to combine.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together until just combined. Do not overmix; the batter will be slightly thick but still spreadable.
Heat about 2 inches of neutral frying oil in a heavy 4- or 6-quart pot to 350°F (175°C). Use a candy or deep-fry thermometer for accuracy.
Lightly flour your work surface. Turn the dough out and pat into a 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) thick rectangle. Use a floured doughnut cutter or two round cutters (about 3-inch and 1-inch diameter) to cut doughnuts and holes.
Carefully transfer doughnuts and holes to the hot oil, frying 2-3 at a time to avoid crowding. Fry for about 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Adjust heat as needed to maintain 350°F (175°C).
Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to remove doughnuts and drain on a wire rack set over a baking sheet or on paper towels. Let rest for 10-15 minutes before glazing.
To make the vanilla glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, whole milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste in a small bowl until smooth.
Dip the top of each warm doughnut into the vanilla glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Place glazed doughnuts back on the wire rack and let the glaze set for about 15 minutes before serving.

Tips

Ensure the oil temperature stays steady at 350°F (175°C) for even frying and to avoid greasy doughnuts.
For even more pronounced vanilla flavor, split and scrape 1 vanilla bean and add seeds to the wet ingredients instead of vanilla bean paste.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make apple cider cake doughnuts?

Plan on 30 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, plus 15 minutes to rest. The recipe makes about 14 doughnuts.

How should I store apple cider cake doughnuts?

Store cooled glazed doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in a warm oven to refresh their texture.

Can I make apple cider cake doughnuts ahead?

Dough can be mixed and chilled for 30 minutes before cutting and frying to make handling easier.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (5 g). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Tender cake doughnuts flavored with spiced apple cider and vanilla, fried to golden perfection and finished with a smooth vanilla glaze. A seasonal treat with a moist crumb and warm aroma.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 14 servings this recipe makes.

265 Calories / serving

11.5g Fat

37.7g Carbs

3.2g Protein

22.0g Sugar

Whole recipe (14 servings): ~3710 cal · 161g fat · 528g carbs · 45g protein · 308g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 265 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 50 min·2.9 mi·~5850 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 36 min·1.8 mi·~3600 steps
Moderate cycling 27 min·5.4 mi
Swimming laps 37 min
Jogging 26 min·2.2 mi·~4150 steps
Stair climbing 24 min·~2150 steps
Dancing 43 min
Bodyweight circuit training 27 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 62 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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