This Apple Cider Donut Bread is tender, cozy, and full of apple cider flavor, with warm apple pie spice in every bite. After baking, I pour apple cider over the warm loaf and sprinkle it with a cinnamon-sugar topping for that perfect “donut” finish… slightly crisp on the outside, soft and moist inside! It’s one of my favorite apple recipes for fall and makes the best breakfast with coffee, an afternoon snack, or a sweet treat anytime. If you love this, don’t miss my Apple Fritters or Apple Bundt Cake, too!
Ingredients & Substitutions
It’s all about the apple cider flavor and warm, spiced sugar topping in this bread!
- Apple Pie Spice: This bread gets its warm, cozy flavor from apple pie spice. Apple pie spice is a mix of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that make everything taste like fall. I make my own homemade apple pie spice at home, so it’s fresh and flavorful. If you don’t have apple pie spice, you can substitute 1 teaspoon cinnamon plus a pinch of nutmeg and cloves. Or, just use cinnamon if that’s all you have.
- Apple Cider: This bread is full of apple cider flavor, which gives it a sweet, fruity taste and keeps it moist. Plus, it is named after it, too! I like using real apple cider, but if you don’t have any, you can substitute apple juice instead.
- Topping: At first, I brushed the bread with melted butter and sprinkled on the spiced sugar topping. But something was missing. Then I tried pouring apple cider over the warm bread instead, and wow! That little extra step made the flavor pop, giving every slice the cozy, warm taste of an apple cider donut.
FAQs
Why did my bread come out dry?
Overmixing the batter or baking it too long can make it dry. Mix just until combined, and start checking for doneness around 65 minutes.
Why is my bread sinking in the middle?
This usually happens if the bread is underbaked or has too much liquid. Measure ingredients carefully and bake until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?
Yes! Apple juice works well. Add a pinch of cinnamon or allspice to boost the flavor closer to cider.
How can I make the apple flavor stronger?
Simmer your cider until it reduces by half before using, or add finely diced apples to the batter. Both tricks will intensify the apple flavor.
Can I make this into muffins?
Absolutely! Just bake in a greased or lined muffin tin at the same temperature for 18-22 minutes.
Apple Cider Donut Bread Variations
- Add-ins: Fold in diced apples, dried cranberries, or toasted pecans for extra flavor and texture.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of sweetened cream cheese into the batter and swirl for a tangy surprise.
- Glaze: Drizzle with a maple glaze instead of cinnamon sugar for a richer fall twist.
How to Store Apple Cider Donut Bread
Room Temperature: Keep the bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for 2-3 days. It stays soft and cozy, perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.
Refrigerator: Wrap the bread well in plastic wrap or foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. It may dry out slightly, so bring slices to room temperature or warm them before serving.
Freezer: Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil or a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slices in the oven or microwave for a fresh-baked taste.
Apple Cider Donut Bread
Ingredients
Loaf
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ¼ cups apple cider, or apple juice
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Topping
- ¼ cup apple cider
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8 ½ x 4 ½-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, apple pie spice, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the apple cider, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until well combined.
- Pour the apple cider mixture into the flour mixture and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be slightly runny.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake for 65-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out with a few crumbs and the top is golden brown.
- Once the bread is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- While the bread is still warm, pour the apple cider over the loaf in the pan.
- In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and apple pie spice.
- Carefully remove the bread from the pan and place it on a large piece of parchment paper.
- Sprinkle the sugar-spice mixture evenly over the bread, rotating the loaf as needed to coat all sides.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing.
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This bread really does taste like an apple cider donut! I love it!
Elizabeth
I can't get enough of the crispy edges and crust! I go for those first!
Bella
This is great! It gives me apple cider vibes. I really like it.
Stephanie
This is moist and soft with a great spiced sugar crust, but I wish it had just a little more of that apple cider flavor.
I made this for my son and daughter-in-law and family and they said “insanely delicious!” I changed nothing and followed the recipe to the letter! Thank you for the great recipes!!
Amazing! You are SO welcome!
If I want to simmer the cider before using to intensify apple flavor, do I need to double the amount so I end up with 1 1/4 cup simmered cider, or just reduce the original 1 1/4 cup by half and use that amount? Thanks!
Great question! You don’t need to double the cider. Just measure out the 1¼ cups the recipe calls for, simmer it until it reduces by half, and then use that amount.
This is such a great fall recipe! My granddaughter absolutely loves this recipe! Your recipes are amazing, I have tried many of them, thank you!
Can this bread be wrapped and frozen?
Linda
Thank you! Yes! Here is what I wrote in the post:
Freezer: Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil or a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slices in the oven or microwave for a fresh-baked taste.
Enjoy!
Hi Amanda
Can I reduce the amount of sugar ?
Is there a substitute?
Ty 🙏🌻
Hi there! Yes, you can reduce the sugar a bit if you’d like. I usually recommend only cutting back by about ¼ to ⅓ so the bread still bakes up moist and tender. If you take out too much, it can get dry or lose that nice golden crust. You could also swap part of the sugar for honey or maple syrup, just keep in mind it may change the texture slightly. Spices like extra cinnamon or nutmeg are another great way to boost flavor if you cut the sugar down.
Recipe sounds delicious! Would the baking directions be the same if you used a mini bundt cake pan?