Description
These Vegan Apple Cider Donuts are moist, fluffy, and bursting with warm fall spices. Baked instead of fried, they offer a healthier twist on a classic treat with the comforting flavors of apple cider and cinnamon. Perfect for a cozy autumn snack or dessert, they’re easy to whip up and delightfully satisfying for friends and family.
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (or white flour)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup soy milk (or other non-dairy milk)
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons melted vegan butter or coconut oil
Topping
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons melted vegan butter or coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a donut pan (or two if you have it) with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until fully combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the apple cider, soy milk, unsweetened applesauce, and melted vegan butter or coconut oil. Mix gently with a large spoon to combine — be careful not to over-mix to keep the donuts tender.
- Fill Donut Pan: Spoon the batter into the donut pan cavities or use a piping bag with a large tip to pipe the batter evenly in each cavity, filling about 3/4 full for perfect rise.
- Bake Donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the donuts spring back when lightly pressed.
- Cool Donuts: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 2 minutes, then carefully invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Prepare Topping: While donuts bake, mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Melt the vegan butter or coconut oil in a separate small bowl.
- Coat Donuts: Brush each donut with melted vegan butter or coconut oil on all sides, then dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat thoroughly. Alternatively, brush the tops and sprinkle cinnamon sugar for a lighter coating.
- Serve and Store: Enjoy the donuts fresh for best taste. Store cooled donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Gluten free option: Substitute with a gluten free flour blend such as oat flour or spelt flour, though this has not been tested.
- Oil-free alternative: Replace the vegan butter or oil in the batter with additional applesauce and skip the butter/oil coating; just coat the donuts in cinnamon sugar.
- For a different sweetness, you may substitute coconut sugar for granulated sugar in both the batter and topping.
