If there’s one thing that tastes like fall, it’s an apple cider donut. That delicious combination of warm spices, sweet apple cider, and a buttery cinnamon-sugar coating is hard to beat. And these Apple Cider Donut Muffins bring all of that goodness right into your kitchen!
They’re soft, tender, full of cozy fall spices, and finished with a generous coating of melted butter and cinnamon sugar. The best part? You get all the flavor of a classic apple cider donut without the fuss of frying.
These muffins are perfect for a crisp fall morning, an afternoon treat with a cup of coffee, or something sweet to share with friends and family. If you’re looking for a new fall baking tradition, this is one recipe you’ll want to save.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Cider Donut Muffins
● All the flavor of an apple cider donut: Warm cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom make every bite taste like autumn.
● No frying required: These muffins are baked in the oven, making them simple enough for an everyday baking project.
● That cinnamon-sugar coating: A dip in melted butter followed by cinnamon sugar gives these muffins their signature donut-like finish.
● Made with simple ingredients: Chances are you already have most of what you need in your pantry.
Ingredients
The secret to these muffins is the combination of apple cider and warm spices. Each ingredient adds something special to create that classic fall donut flavor.
● 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
● 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
● 3/4 teaspoon salt
● 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
● 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
● 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
● 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
● 10 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature
● 3/4 cup brown sugar
● 1/4 cup granulated sugar
● 2 eggs
● 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
● 1/2 cup apple cider
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
● 1/2 cup granulated sugar
● 1 teaspoon cinnamon
● Melted butter, for dipping
How to Make Apple Cider Donut Muffins
1. Prepare your oven and muffin pan.
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease the wells.
2. Mix the dry ingredients.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and ground ginger. Set aside.
3. Cream the butter and sugars.
In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla.
Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, until everything is well combined.
5. Add the dry ingredients and apple cider.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the apple cider. Mix just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your muffins dense.
6. Bake!
Divide the batter evenly among your prepared muffin wells. Bake at 350°F for 15–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the muffins to cool slightly before removing them from the pan.
7. Add the cinnamon-sugar coating.
While the muffins are still slightly warm, dip or brush each one with melted butter. Then roll them in a mixture of 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until evenly coated.
This is the part that really makes them taste like apple cider donuts!
Tips for the Best Apple Cider Donut Muffins
● Use real apple cider. Apple cider gives these muffins their signature flavor. Apple juice isn’t quite the same!
● Don’t overmix the batter. Mix just until the flour disappears for soft, tender muffins.
● Coat while warm. The melted butter helps the cinnamon sugar stick beautifully to the outside.
● Make them ahead. These are a wonderful treat to bake the night before and enjoy with breakfast the next morning.
How to Store
Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2–3 days.
If you’d like to enjoy them warm, pop one in the microwave for a few seconds. You can also refresh the cinnamon-sugar coating with a little melted butter and cinnamon sugar if needed.
A Little Taste of Fall
There’s just something about baking with apple cider and warm spices that makes a house feel like home. These Apple Cider Donut Muffins are one of those simple recipes that make an ordinary morning feel a little more special.
Make a batch, put on a pot of coffee, and enjoy a little taste of fall!
If you make these, I’d love to hear what you think!