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.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Mott’s. The opinions and text are all mine.
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.
You might also like: LIGHT APPLESAUCE CAKE – PUMPKIN CARROT APPLE MUFFINS – PUMPKIN SMOOTHIE – APPLE CIDER DONUT CAKE
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Recipe
Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes
Ingredients
Donuts:
- ⅓ cup Mott’s® Original Applesauce
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup apple cider reduction, (from 2 cups cider see step 1)
Glaze (topping):
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider
Cinnamon sugar (topping):
- ¼ cup apple cider
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- 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 ½ cup. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Thoroughly grease a 24-count mini muffin tin.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Vicky @ Avocado Pesto
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!
Tara
Oh wow! These donut holes look incredible! Love that they are baked and use applesauce instead of oil. Definitely need to try them.
Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy
This is such a neat concept and your pictures are droolworthy too.
Alisa Wada
So cute! I love the look of the glazed ones!
Catherine
These look splendid. I just love the sound of these…they wouldn’t last long in my house!
Julie Evink
These are the perfect addition to my coffee in the morning! YUMMY!
Julie | This Gal Cooks
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!
julie
Delicious! and perfect for this time of year. Yum!
Platter Talk
Another really good idea for treats without blowing the daily calorie budget. Love it!
Brian Jones
These look fantastic, that glaze is an absolute stunner!