An easy Apple Cider Donut Holes recipe that will give you your fall fix without a donut pan! These little guys are a mix of a baked donut and a mini muffin, making it an an apple cider recipe that simply melts-in-your-mouth! With a hint of apple cider flavor, they are simply delicious.
Each fall I look forward to going to apple orchards and pumpkin patches for lots of fall fun and of course, Apple Cider Donuts! I tweaked one of my favorite recipes (meltaway mini muffins) to recreate the fall favorite without the fuss. These Apple Cider Donut Holes are quick, easy, bite-sized goodness and eliminate the need for a donut pan! For the ultimate fall experience, dip them in caramel sauce!
Apple Cider Donut Holes Ingredients
- Flour – The start of any homemade baking recipe, I like to use unbleached, all-purpose flour. My favorite brands are Pillsbury or Gold’s Medal.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar is both for the mini donut dough and the sweet cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Baking Powder – Use a double-acting baking powder that’s aluminum free. This is what gives these baked donut muffins their lift.
- Cinnamon – A sweet, warming spice that sings all things Fall.
- Apple Spice – Referred to as Apple Pie Spice in the grocery store, you can purchase a small container or make your own! Keep reading for the homemade recipe. If you can’t find Apple Pie spice, simply replace it with Pumpkin Pie spice for the sweet, warm flavors of Fall.
- Egg – One egg is all you need to help bind the dough together.
- Milk – I prefer whole milk for all of my baking recipes, but you can substitute 2%, 1%, or almond milk, if that is all you have on hand.
- Butter – For the dough, you want your butter softened to room temperature to make it easier for the ingredients to come together. For the topping, make sure to melt the butter and cool slightly before rolling each mini apple cider donut hole so that the cinnamon sugar coating can stick.
- Vanilla – A luxurious, sweet flavor you just can’t get from sugar. Pure vanilla extract is the good stuff.
Apple Spice Ingredients
It’s so much fun to make your own homemade spice blend if you have all the ingredients on hand. Simply combine:
- 4 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp Allspice
- 1/2 tsp Ginger
How to Make Baked Donut Holes with Apple Cider
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnmon, and apple spice.
- In a separate bowl, beat egg, milk, butter, and vanilla, then gradually mix in dry ingredients until moist.
- Grease mini muffin pan (don’t use liners) and fill each just over 2/3 full.
- Bake 14 minutes and allow to cool 5 minutes. Remove from pan.
- Roll mini donut holes in butter, followed by the sugar mixture, serve warm, and enjoy!
How Many Calories Are in an Apple Cider Donut Hole?
The beauty of making mini apple cider donut hole muffins makes them lower in calories. A single apple cider donut hole is only 92 calories. So go ahead and eat two, ehem, or more!
Can Apple Cider Donut Holes Be Frozen?
Yes! Although these mini donuts are best served warm from the oven, this homemade donut hole recipe makes a great make ahead breakfast or dessert. If you are going to freeze, don’t coat them in sugar. Bake and cool completely. Simply place them in a plastic-freezer storage bag, seal tight, label, date, and store in your freezer for up to 1 month.
When ready to serve, place in a baking dish and reheat in 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes. Prepare the melted butter and cinnamon sugar topping. When completely warmed through, roll in butter and sugar coating.
More Apple Recipes You’ll Love:
- Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- Apple Glaze
- Baked Apple Slices
- Apple Pound Cake
- Easy Spiced Apple Ice Cream (3 Ingredient Apple Butter Ice Cream)
- Frosted Apple Butter Sugar Cookies
- Apple Cinnamon Bread Recipe
If you try this Apple Cider Donut Hole Recipe, please come back to share using my 5 star rating in the comments below! Not only do I appreciate it, but I know readers do, too! For more easy recipes and simple living ideas, subscribe to my newsletter!
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Apple Cider Donut Holes
Ingredients
Donut Mix:
- 1 1/2 c flour
- 1/2 c sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp apple spice
- 1 egg
- 3/4 c milk
- 1/3 c butter softened
- 1 tsp vanilla
Topping:
- 1 stick butter melted
- 1/2 c sugar
- 1/4 tsp apple spice
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine dry ingredients, set aside.
- Beat liquid ingredients, then gradually beat in dry mixture until moist.
- Grease mini muffin pan (don’t use liners) and fill each just over ⅔ full.
- Bake 14 minutes and allow to cool 5 minutes. Remove from pan.
- Roll muffins in butter, followed by my sugar mixture, serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
If you want more fall flavor, you’ll love these Fall Cookies!
I dont have any apple spice.. Could it be left out???
Thanks!!
Of course! See my meltaway muffin recipe – it’s the regular version. You’re going to love them! Enjoy!