Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes flavored with apple cider, applesauce, and cinnamon. Roll them in cinnamon sugar or top them with an apple cider glaze. You’ll love these better-for-you donuts. They contain no oil or butter.
I have Apple Cider Donut Holes on my “to make” list every fall season. I am always envious of people who live in a region where they are able to go apple picking and enjoy fresh apple cider and apple cider donuts. Here in Arizona it is still warm in early fall and we don’t have any apple orchards nearby. So, I’ve resorted to making my own apple cider donuts! The good news? Since I’m making them myself I can make them my way.
For a healthier alternative, I bake these donuts instead of frying them. They also contain no butter or oil! I swap the oil in the donuts for Mott’s® Applesauce from Walmart. Mott’s® Applesauce is a better-for-you ingredient that adds moisture, sweetness, and an added boost of apple flavor to this recipe and you can pick it up at your local Walmart. It is a healthy substitute for oil in baking and it works beautifully in these donut holes.
In addition to applesauce, these donuts are flavored with cinnamon and apple cider. I reduce the apple cider by simmering it on the stove-top until it turns into a concentrated apple flavored syrup. Let me tell you, that cider reduction is liquid gold! It is loaded with so much flavor. I’m already thinking of all the different recipes I can use it in!
You can choose to top these donut holes with an apple cider glaze or cinnamon sugar. I tried both toppings and they are equally delicious. Choose whichever you prefer or make some of each!
Put on some coffee or tea and gather your family and friends. There’s only about 30 minutes between you and big bowl of Apple Cider Donut Holes.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Mott’s. The opinions and text are all mine.
Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes
Ingredients
Donuts:
- 1/3 cup Mott’s® Original Applesauce
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups all purpose four
- 1/2 cup apple cider reduction (from 2 cups cider see step 1)
Glaze (topping):
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider
Cinnamon sugar (topping):
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
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Place 2 cups of apple cider in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and simmer gently for 20-30 minutes until reduced to 1/2 cup. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
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Preheat the oven to 400°F. Thoroughly grease a 24-count mini muffin tin.
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Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the applesauce and sugar and egg until combined. Add the baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla, beat to combine. Add half the flour, beat until combined. Add the cider reduction, beat until combined. Add the remaining flour, beat until combined, being careful not to overmix.
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Divide the batter between 22 mini muffin cups. I used a cookie scoop and placed a heaping 2 teaspoons of batter into each cup. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the top springs back when you press it. Place pan on a rack to cool.
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If you're making the glaze: whisk the powdered sugar with apple cider until smooth. Dip or spoon the glaze over the donut holes until covered. I dip them into the glaze, roll them around and then remove with a fork and place on a rack for the excess glaze to drip off. Allow to sit at room temperature for an hour or two so the glaze can firm up.
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If you're making the cinnamon sugar: Fill a large shallow bowl with cinnamon and sugar, stirring to combine. Lightly brush the donut holes with apple cider and then roll them in the cinnamon sugar. Don't saturate the donut holes with cider, just brush on enough to moisten them so that the cinnamon sugar will stick.
Recipe Notes
These are the best the day are made.
These look adorable and I love that you used apple sauce in place of butter and that they are baked instead of fried! I like in a place where I could go apple picking (Massachusetss) but I have actually never been!
Oh wow! These donut holes look incredible! Love that they are baked and use applesauce instead of oil. Definitely need to try them.
This is such a neat concept and your pictures are droolworthy too.
So cute! I love the look of the glazed ones!
These look splendid. I just love the sound of these…they wouldn’t last long in my house!
These are the perfect addition to my coffee in the morning! YUMMY!
I live in Florida and it’s warm here too. I wish it would cool off a little!
These little donut holes look so good. Perfect for Thanksgiving morning!
Delicious! and perfect for this time of year. Yum!
Another really good idea for treats without blowing the daily calorie budget. Love it!
These look fantastic, that glaze is an absolute stunner!
These would go great with a cup of coffee for that morning slump. And I have some apple puree in the freezer!
They look really good. I bet my kids will love this.
One Awesome Momma
Love that these are really baked and not deep fried. I would have to make a huge batch for my family.
Yum! This recipe sounds amazing! Definitely pinning this for later!
I am totally going to make these! thanks for sharing!
Rachel | The Confused Millennial
Oh my goodness!! These sound amazing!!! I love the idea of making these for entertaining guests over the next couple of months. Thank you
OH my gosh I’d probably eat the whole batch in one sitting.
These look awesome and I always sub out oil for applesauce in my recipes!! No one can ever tell!
Baked apple cider donut holes?! The recipe looks delish! Can hardly wait to try it, excited to have it for the holidays while family is in town. Yay!
Oh my, these sound and look amazing! I must make them!
These are so cute, and they look tasty too! We love using Mott’s applesauce in baking as well. One of my kids also just loves eating it by the spoonful 🙂
Oh how I wish I had some of those with my coffee right now!
What a fabulous, seasonal treat! Love that they’re baked!
Yum! I live in Virginia and apple cider donuts are one of my favorite fall treats! Donut holes are even more fun! 🙂
Wow! Love the idea of making these with applesauce. So Smart!
These look incredible. I need to try making these.
Oh my goodness, these look amazing!! Donut Holes are one of my favorite treats and I love apple cider flavoring. I’ve never tried to make my own donut holes, but these looks like the perfect item to bake this fall. 🙂
Oh my gosh – these look AMAZING!!!! Pinning!
These look amazing! And the fact that they’re relatively healthier for you… I’m sold. Will be making in the near future.
Thanks, Alicia! Enjoy!