Name: Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups apple cider; 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; 1/3 cup apple butter; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 cup whole wheat flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon cinnamon; 6 tablespoons salted butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

If you’re like me and adore everything cozy and sweet in the fall, you’re going to absolutely love this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes Recipe. These little bites of heaven are soft, perfectly spiced, and coated in that nostalgic cinnamon sugar that makes your kitchen smell like autumn itself. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become your go-to for brunch, snack time, or a year-round treat that feels like a warm hug.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bursting with Warm Spices: The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger creates an irresistible flavor you won’t forget.
Light and Tender Texture: Baking instead of frying means you get doughnut holes that are fluffy and less greasy.
Apple Cider Infused: Reducing apple cider intensifies the apple essence, making each bite taste like fall in a mouthful.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s for a weekend treat or a festive brunch, these doughnut holes impress every time.

The image shows a pile of small, round muffins covered in a light brown cinnamon sugar coating, stacked inside a dark muffin tray lined with white parchment paper. One muffin is split open, revealing a soft, crumbly inside with a golden brown color. Around the muffin tray, there are more muffins placed on a wooden surface with scattered cinnamon sugar. A blue-green bowl filled with cinnamon sugar and star anise is visible on the side, along with a white cup of coffee topped with a brown star anise. The overall scene has warm, cozy colors and a textured look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes, fall dessert recipes, cinnamon sugar donut holes, baked doughnut bites, cozy autumn treats

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes Recipe is thoughtfully chosen to bring out cozy flavors with a subtle sweetness and a hint of spice. You’ll find some pantry staples here along with a few flavorful touches that make these doughnut holes stand apart.

Flat lay of fresh whole apples with shiny red and green skins, a small pitcher of golden maple syrup, a dish of smooth apple butter, a scattering of warm brown cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, fresh grated nutmeg, whole cardamom pods, and a few cracked eggs, all beautifully arranged with a stick of melted butter pooling gently beside them, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes, fall dessert recipes, cinnamon sugar donut holes, baked doughnut bites, cozy autumn treats

Apple cider: Reducing it down concentrates that sweet-tart apple flavor—the magic starts here.
Salted butter: Used in both batter and coating, it adds richness and a bit of that toasty goodness.
Vanilla extract: Just a splash brings out warmth and depth enhancing the spices and apple.
Eggs: Help bind everything together and give those doughnut holes a nice lift.
Apple butter: Adds moisture plus an extra layer of concentrated apple flavor.
Maple syrup: For a natural sweetness that complements the spices beautifully.
All-purpose flour & whole wheat flour: The combo adds heartiness and a nice crumb texture.
Baking powder & baking soda: Leavening agents that keep these doughnut holes light and fluffy.
Ground cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg: Classic fall spices creating that signature cozy vibe.
Kosher salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance flavor.
Granulated sugar & cinnamon (for coating): Classic combo that gives the doughnut holes their perfect, crisp dusting.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes Recipe is. Over time, I’ve tweaked it in a few ways depending on the season or what I’ve got in my pantry. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!

Gluten-Free Version: I swapped the flours for a gluten-free blend once, and it worked surprisingly well—just keep an eye on baking time.
Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of cayenne to the spice mix gives the doughnut holes a lovely warm undertone that really wakes up your palate.
Apple Cider Substitute: Out of cider? Unsweetened apple juice works, though you’ll lose a bit of the reduced cider’s depth.
Maple Glaze Instead of Sugar Coating: For a gooier option, drizzle a simple maple glaze instead of rolling in cinnamon sugar—my kids flip out when I do this!

How to Make Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes Recipe

Step 1: Reduce the Apple Cider to Intensify Flavor

Start by bringing your apple cider to a boil over high heat. This part is where the magic begins—the cider reduces down to about half a cup, thickening and concentrating those beloved apple notes. I’ve found simmering it off gently for 10-15 minutes is just right. Once reduced, stir in the melted butter and set it aside to cool. If you rush this step, the cider won’t develop that rich flavor you’re after, so be patient—it’s totally worth it!

Step 2: Mix the Batter with Care

In a large bowl, whisk together the cooled cider mixture, eggs, apple butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth. Then add the dry ingredients—both flours, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. Stir gently until just combined. Here’s a tip: don’t over-mix! A few lumps are fine and will keep the doughnut holes tender rather than tough.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Grease your mini or regular muffin pan well (I use butter for a lovely flavor, but non-stick spray works too) and fill each cup about halfway to two-thirds full. Bake mini doughnut holes for 10-12 minutes and regular ones for 18-20 minutes. They’re done when they spring back lightly to the touch, not browned too much—because you want them soft inside, not dry. Let them cool in the pan for five minutes, then gently loosen with a butter knife and pop them out.

Step 4: Toast the Butter & Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

While the doughnuts cool a bit, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and let it brown until it smells nutty and toasted—about 3 to 4 minutes. This step is where my trick shines because the browned butter adds an incredible depth of flavor when you brush it on the warm doughnut holes. Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract, then brush generously over the doughnut holes. Toss them in a bowl of cinnamon sugar, coating every inch. I can’t tell you how many times this step has turned my guests into full-blown doughnut fanatics.

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Pro Tips for Making Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes Recipe

Don’t Skip Reducing the Cider: This step intensifies the apple flavor and adds moisture; it’s worth waiting the extra time.
Use Room Temperature Eggs: They blend better with wet ingredients, resulting in a more even batter.
Brown Your Butter Slowly: Keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn—once it smells nutty, it’s perfect for brushing.
Shake Off Excess Cinnamon Sugar: Too much coating can get clumpy; a light toss gives a nice, even spice finish.

How to Serve Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes Recipe

The image shows a pile of small, round doughnut muffins covered in cinnamon sugar on a white marbled surface. There are about ten muffins closely stacked, with one muffin on top showing its inside layer which is soft and light brown with a slightly crumbly texture. The muffins have a rough, grainy outer layer from the sugar coating, and they are resting on crumpled white parchment paper. The scene captures a warm, cozy feeling from the brown and golden hues of the muffins, with some muffins sitting inside a black tray. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes, fall dessert recipes, cinnamon sugar donut holes, baked doughnut bites, cozy autumn treats

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with just a dusting of cinnamon sugar to honor that classic flavor. But if you want to jazz it up, a drizzle of caramel or a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans adds a lovely crunch and sweetness. Fresh apple slices on the side also pair beautifully, doubling down on that apple goodness.

Side Dishes

These doughnut holes are fantastic with coffee, but my family also loves them alongside a creamy vanilla yogurt or spiced pumpkin latte. For a richer brunch, serve them with scrambled eggs or smoked bacon—the sweet and savory contrast is unbeatable.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these doughnut holes in a tiered serving tray for a fun “doughnut hole tower” that’s a real showstopper. Wrapping a few up in small clear bags tied with twine makes them perfect edible gifts, especially during holiday seasons. Trust me, these little treats bring smiles every time!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’re still delightful this way, but if you want to keep them a little longer, the fridge works, just be sure to bring them back to room temp or lightly warm before serving.

Freezing

These doughnut holes freeze quite well! After baking and cooling, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a zip-top bag or container. When I want one, I pop a few from the freezer straight into the toaster oven to thaw and warm up—easy and nearly as good as fresh.

Reheating

When reheating, avoid the microwave if you can—it tends to make them a bit soggy. Instead, I use a toaster oven or conventional oven set to 325°F for about 5-7 minutes. This method revives that soft texture and re-crisps the cinnamon sugar coating beautifully.

FAQs

Can I make these doughnut holes dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the butter for a plant-based alternative like coconut oil or vegan buttery spread. Keep in mind that browning plant-based butters may behave differently, so watch carefully during that step.
What if I don’t have apple butter?

No worries! You can substitute with an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce, though your doughnut holes might be a touch less rich. Adding a bit more maple syrup can help balance sweetness.
Can I double the recipe?

Yes, this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes Recipe scales nicely. Just be sure to mix batter gently and watch baking times carefully, as bigger batches sometimes require minor adjustments.
Is it okay to use regular sugar instead of maple syrup?

You can substitute with granulated sugar, but the flavor will miss that distinctive maple warmth. If you use regular sugar, consider adding a drop of maple extract for a similar taste.
Can I make these in donut pans instead of mini muffin tins?

Yes! You can bake these in donut pans as well. Just keep an eye on the baking time, as the shape and thickness may require a few extra minutes to fully bake.

Final Thoughts

One of the things I adore most about this Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes Recipe is how it brings back those warm, comforting feelings of fall no matter the season. It’s simple enough to whip up on a weekday morning but special enough to share with guests or for celebrations. I hope you give these a try soon—you’ll find they disappear fast, and honestly, that’s a pretty good sign they’re worth the effort. Happy baking, friend!