If fall had a scent, it would be apple cider and cinnamon sugar. These apple cider donut muffins are fluffy, warmly spiced, and coated in buttery cinnamon sugar. They’re the perfect way to bring a cozy bakery-style treat into your kitchen—no frying required. Whether you’re hosting a fall brunch or just craving something sweet with your coffee, this recipe hits the spot in every bite.
Why I Love This Recipe
A memory baked into each muffin
These muffins remind me of chilly Saturday mornings spent at our local orchard. We’d grab warm apple cider and fresh donuts, still hot from the fryer. Recreating that flavor at home—without the fryer mess—feels like bringing a piece of autumn into my oven. I’ve served these at everything from brunch tables to bake sales, and there’s never a crumb left.
Perfect for fall brunches and beyond
What I love most is how simple they are. You don’t need a donut pan or deep fryer. Just a muffin tin and a few pantry staples. The batter is thick and fragrant with apple cider and spice, and the cinnamon sugar topping gives every bite that signature donut vibe. They go great with coffee or tea and pair beautifully with other brunch items like this berry-topped cloud cake.
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Apple Cider Donut Muffins for Fall Brunch
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These apple cider donut muffins are fluffy, warmly spiced, and coated in cinnamon sugar. They bring all the fall flavor of a classic cider donut—no frying required. Perfect for fall brunches or cozy mornings at home.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups apple cider (reduced to 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup neutral oil (like canola or vegetable)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
1. Reduce apple cider in a saucepan over medium heat until it measures 3/4 cup. Let cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
4. Add eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and reduced cider. Mix well.
5. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
6. Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until just combined—do not overmix.
7. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.
8. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool muffins for 5 minutes in tin.
10. Brush tops with melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar topping.
11. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
For stronger apple flavor, reduce cider ahead of time and store in fridge.
Skip the topping to freeze plain muffins, then coat after reheating.
Best eaten within 1–2 days but stays moist up to 3.
Use mini muffin tins for bite-sized brunch options.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Fall Brunch, Donut Muffins
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: apple cider donut muffins, fall brunch recipes, cinnamon sugar muffins, homemade fall baked goods
Simple Ingredients, Big Fall Flavor
The key to getting real apple cider taste
Use reduced apple cider for the most intense flavor. Simply simmer your cider until it’s reduced by half—that concentrates the sweetness and fruitiness. It’s the base of the muffin’s flavor and makes all the difference.
What makes the crumb soft and donut-like
This recipe uses a mix of oil and butter for a moist crumb, along with buttermilk for extra tenderness. The result is a light, cakey muffin that mimics the inside of a fresh apple cider donut. The warm cinnamon sugar coating adds that bakery-fresh finish. Looking for more fall apple inspiration? You’ll love this crispy apple crisp recipe too—it’s loaded with spice and texture.
Baking and Coating the Muffins
How to mix the batter
Start by reducing your cider. In a separate bowl, whisk dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In another bowl, whisk together sugar, melted butter, oil, eggs, reduced cider, and buttermilk. Combine the wet and dry ingredients just until no flour streaks remain. Avoid overmixing so your muffins stay tender.
Tips for baking and topping
Fill greased muffin cups about 3/4 full and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–18 minutes. Once baked, let them cool slightly, then brush with melted butter and roll in a cinnamon sugar mix. This gives that iconic donut muffin finish. For a variation with a different citrus edge, try the mini lemon loaf cakes—also fantastic for brunch tables.
Make-Ahead Tips & Storage
Serving ideas for brunch gatherings
These muffins are best the day they’re made but still taste great for 1–2 days after. Serve them warm if you can—it brings out the apple and spice notes beautifully. Add them to a fall brunch tray with fresh fruit, quiche, and this easy apple crisp to round out the table.
How to store and freeze
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To freeze, skip the cinnamon sugar coating, wrap muffins tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Rewarm and coat just before serving for fresh-baked flavor.
FAQ
Can I use regular apple juice instead of cider?
You can, but cider has a more robust flavor. If using juice, consider adding a splash of lemon juice and a bit more spice to balance the sweetness.
How do I prevent dry muffins?
Don’t overmix your batter. Also, measure flour correctly—spoon it into the cup and level off. Use oil for moisture and don’t skip the buttermilk.
Can I bake these in mini muffin tins?
Yes! Reduce baking time to about 10–12 minutes. Coat them while warm for the best cinnamon sugar adhesion.
Conclusion
Apple cider donut muffins are one of those recipes you’ll reach for again and again during the fall season. They’re easy, flavorful, and guaranteed to bring cozy vibes to your kitchen. Whether you’re baking them for a brunch spread or enjoying one with your morning coffee, these muffins capture everything we love about fall—warm spice, tender crumb, and the scent of apple cider in the air.