If you love the cozy flavor of fall baking, this apple cider donut bread is one recipe you’ll want to keep close. It combines the warm spices of classic apple cider donuts with the tender, buttery texture of a homemade loaf cake. The result is soft and moist inside, golden around the edges, and finished with a generous cinnamon-sugar coating.
Best of all, you don’t need to deep-fry anything. Just mix the batter, pour it into a loaf pan, bake, brush the warm loaf with melted butter, and coat it in cinnamon sugar. It’s easy, comforting, and perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.
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Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider Donut Bread
There are plenty of reasons this apple cider donut bread deserves a spot on your baking list.
First, it’s much easier than making traditional donuts. There’s no yeast, rolling, cutting, frying, or complicated shaping involved. The loaf goes straight into the oven.
Second, reducing the cider gives the bread a deeper apple flavor. Combined with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and brown sugar, it creates that familiar apple cider donut taste.
Finally, the cinnamon-sugar topping gives the loaf its signature donut-inspired finish. The melted butter helps the sugar cling to the crust, creating a slightly crisp, sweet coating.
Taste Like a Donut – brown sugar, apple cider, butter, apple pie spice, and cinnamon-sugar topping is what gives this loaf its donut-like character.
For more Delicious Apple Cider flavor try Moist Apple Cider Cake, or Apple Cider Crinkle Cookies.
Apple Cider Donut Bread Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this cozy apple cider donut bread.
Dry Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups
- Apple pie spice: 1 tablespoon
- Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
- Baking soda: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
You can use a prepared apple pie spice blend or make your own using cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
Wet Ingredients
- Apple cider: 2 cups, reduced to 1 cup
- Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup, softened
- Light brown sugar: 1 cup, packed
- Large egg: 1, room temperature
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
Room-temperature ingredients blend more evenly and help create a smoother batter.
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- Melted butter: 1/4 cup
- Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup
- Ground cinnamon: 1 tablespoon
This simple topping is what transforms a good loaf into an irresistible apple cider donut bread.
How to Make Apple Cider Donut Bread
Reduce the Apple Cider
- Pour the 2 cups of apple cider into a small saucepan.
- Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the cider measures about 1 cup. This usually takes around 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the size of your saucepan and heat level.
- Remove it from the heat and let it cool.
Prepare the Loaf Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a standard 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with butter or nonstick spray. For easier removal, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the long sides.
- A properly prepared pan makes removing the finished apple cider donut bread much easier.
Mix the Batter
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until combined.
- Gradually add the cooled reduced apple cider.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until combined. Don’t overmix. A few small streaks of flour are better than working the batter too much.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Bake the Bread
- Bake for approximately 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil during the final portion of baking.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 to 15 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack.
Add the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- While the loaf is still warm, brush the top and sides generously with melted butter.
- In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
- Sprinkle the mixture generously over the buttered loaf, turning it carefully if you want to coat the sides as well.
- This final step gives the apple cider donut bread its recognizable sugary, spiced crust.
Easy Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered this apple cider donut bread, it’s easy to customize.
Add Fresh Apple
For an even stronger apple flavor, fold a small amount of finely diced apple into the batter.
Choose a firm apple that holds its shape during baking. Don’t add too much, though, because excess moisture can change the texture.
Make It Extra Spiced
For a more intense spice profile, increase the cinnamon slightly or add a small pinch of extra nutmeg.
You can also make your own apple pie spice with:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger or allspice
This creates a wonderfully fragrant loaf.
Sourdough Apple Cider Quick Bread
If you have sourdough starter or sourdough discard on hand, turn this recipe into a delicious Sourdough Apple Cider Quick Bread.
For the best texture, use about 1/2 cup of unfed sourdough discard. Because the discard adds extra moisture and flour, slightly adjust the original recipe by reducing the all-purpose flour to 1 3/4 cups and the reduced apple cider to 3/4 cup.
Mix the sourdough discard with the cooled apple cider, butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla before combining it with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just incorporated. Don’t overmix, as this can make the quick bread dense.
Bake as directed (optional: you can add some fresh apple slices on top before baking), checking for doneness around the 50-minute mark. Once warm, brush the loaf with melted butter and generously coat it with cinnamon sugar.
How to Store Apple Cider Donut Bread
Store completely cooled apple cider donut bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to about 3 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate it in a tightly sealed container. Bring individual slices to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
You can also freeze the loaf. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil or a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to about 2 to 3 months.
For the best results, freeze the loaf before adding the cinnamon-sugar coating, then thaw and finish it before serving.
What to Serve With It
This cozy apple cider donut bread is delicious on its own, but there are plenty of ways to serve it.
Try a warm slice with:
- Hot coffee
- Black tea
- Warm apple cider
- old milk
- Vanilla ice cream
- A little softened butter
- A drizzle of honey
It’s especially lovely for breakfast, afternoon tea, weekend brunch, or a simple fall dessert.
Apple Cider Donut Bread
Equipment
- 9 x 5-inch loaf pan
- Parchment paper
- Small saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber Spatula
- Pastry brush
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 2 cups apple cider
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.
- Pour the apple cider into a saucepan and bring it to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the cider reduces from 2 cups to 1 cup. Remove from the heat and let it cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- Pour in the cooled reduced apple cider and mix until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a wire rack.
- Brush the warm loaf generously with melted butter.
- Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar generously over the buttered loaf, coating the top and sides.
- Allow the loaf to cool further before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Sugar: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
FAQs
Can I use apple juice instead of cider?
Yes. Apple juice can work in a pinch, although apple cider usually provides a richer and more concentrated apple flavor.
If using apple juice, still reduce it to approximately 1 cup before adding it to the batter.
Why do I need to reduce the apple cider?
Reducing the cider removes some of its water while concentrating its flavor. It also ensures you’re not adding too much liquid to the cake batter. This is one of the most important techniques for getting flavorful apple cider donut bread.
Can I freeze apple cider donut bread?
Yes. Wrap the cooled loaf tightly and freeze it for up to 2 to 3 months.
Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or for several hours at room temperature. Add a fresh cinnamon-sugar coating after thawing if desired.
What loaf pan should I use?
A standard 9 x 5-inch loaf pan works well. You can also use an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch pan, but the loaf will be taller and may require a little more baking time.
This apple cider donut bread brings everything you love about classic apple cider donuts into an easy homemade loaf. The concentrated cider provides a rich apple flavor, while brown sugar and warm spices create that irresistible bakery-style aroma.
The cinnamon-sugar coating is the finishing touch. It adds sweetness and a delicate crunch to the outside while the inside stays soft, tender, and moist.
Whether you’re baking for a weekend breakfast, a cozy afternoon snack, or a fall gathering, this loaf is wonderfully simple and satisfying. Slice it thick, serve it with coffee or tea, and enjoy that classic apple cider donut flavor without the fuss of frying.
