Name: Apple Cider Donut Bread Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups apple cider; 1/2 cup butter (room temperature); 1 cup brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 2 cups flour; 1 tablespoon apple pie spice; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup melted butter; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Jump to Recipe

If you’re craving the ultimate cozy treat, Apple Cider Donut Bread is about to steal your heart—and possibly your breakfast plans for the next week. This loaf takes everything you love about those pillowy, cinnamon-sugar-coated donuts from the orchard and bakes them into a warmly spiced, tender bread that’s perfect with coffee or cider. Each bite is bursting with deep apple flavor, thanks to reduced cider, and gets a final flourish of buttery cinnamon-sugar that’ll make your kitchen smell downright magical.

Apple Cider Donut Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making Apple Cider Donut Bread is delightfully simple, but each ingredient here does some heavy lifting. From the rich spices to the real apple cider, every element brings its own bit of magic to the finished loaf, ensuring irresistible flavor and perfect texture.

Apple cider: Simmering the cider intensifies its apple flavor, making it the star of the show.
Butter (room temperature): Adds richness and guarantees that coveted tender crumb.
Brown sugar: Infuses a gentle caramel note and keeps the bread moist.
Egg: Binds the batter, giving the loaf structure and lift.
Vanilla: Enhances all the warm spices and apple notes, tying them together.
Flour: The backbone of the bread; all-purpose works perfectly here.
Apple pie spice: A blend that brings the iconic fall flavor in every bite—look for one with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
Baking powder: Helps the bread rise so it’s fluffy, not dense.
Baking soda: Works with the cider for extra lift and a tender crumb.
Salt: Just a pinch, but crucial for balancing sweetness and deepening flavors.
Melted butter: For brushing—this helps the cinnamon sugar stick for that classic donut finish.
Sugar: Mixed with cinnamon for a distinctive crunch and extra sweetness on the outside.
Cinnamon: Pairs with sugar to create a crave-worthy crust—don’t skip!

How to Make Apple Cider Donut Bread

Step 1: Reduce the Apple Cider

This is where the real magic happens! Pour your apple cider into a saucepan and let it bubble away over medium heat. The goal is to simmer it until you have just about one cup, which intensifies that apple flavor. It’ll take about 20 to 30 minutes, so give it a gentle stir now and then. Allow this syrupy cider to cool—it’s pure gold for your bread.

Step 2: Prep Your Pan and Oven

While your cider cools, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grab a 9×5 loaf pan and generously butter or grease it, making sure to get into all the corners so the bread slides out perfectly baked and intact.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Add your room-temperature butter and that rich brown sugar to a mixing bowl. Beat them together using an electric mixer until the mixture is nice and light and fluffy—a couple of minutes should do the trick. This step creates a soft, airy base for the loaf.

Step 4: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything’s fully combined. The batter will look creamy and luscious at this point, ready for those dry ingredients!

Step 5: Mix in the Dry Ingredients and Reduced Cider

Now it’s time for everything to come together. Add the flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt right into your bowl, along with the cooled, concentrated apple cider. Stir gently by hand just until the flour disappears—no need to overmix, or the bread may turn out dense.

Step 6: Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top. Slide it into the oven, and let it bake for around 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a tester or toothpick comes out clean from the center. Your kitchen will smell incredible!

Step 7: Cool Slightly, Then Turn Out

Allow the bread to rest in the pan for about 15 minutes. This helps it set up so you can remove it without a hitch. Then, carefully tip it onto a wire rack that sits over a sheet pan to catch any topping later.

Step 8: Brush with Butter, Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

While the bread is still a bit warm, brush the top and sides with melted butter. In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon together, and sprinkle it generously all over, letting the excess fall onto the lined pan below. This step gives the Apple Cider Donut Bread its signature donut-y crust.

Step 9: Let Cool Completely Before Slicing

For the tidiest slices (and best texture), let your bread cool for about an hour before cutting into it. Waiting is the hardest part—but so worth it.

How to Serve Apple Cider Donut Bread

Garnishes

The warm, spiced crust on Apple Cider Donut Bread hardly needs anything extra, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple glaze makes it even more festive. If you want to lean into autumn vibes, top each slice with a few thin apple slices or a scoop of whipped cream for a special treat.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with a mug of hot apple cider or your favorite coffee. For brunch, serve slices alongside a creamy yogurt parfait or scrambled eggs for a sweet-and-savory contrast. It also makes a dreamy afternoon snack with a wedge of sharp cheddar cheese, channeling classic orchard flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Apple Cider Donut Bread is show-stopping on its own, but you can make it the star of a brunch board with fresh apples, caramel dip, and cinnamon sticks for decoration. For gatherings, slice the loaf into cubes and serve it with toothpicks as bite-sized treats or layer thick slices into a bread pudding with more apples and spices for an irresistible dessert twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover Apple Cider Donut Bread tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It’ll keep well for 2 to 3 days and actually gets even more flavorful as the spices have time to develop!

Freezing

If you want to save some for future cravings, Apple Cider Donut Bread freezes well. Wrap slices or the whole loaf snugly in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw on the counter or pop a slice straight into the toaster for a quick treat.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, heat a slice in the microwave for about 15 seconds, or toast it lightly in the oven. This revives the fluffy texture and makes the cinnamon sugar on the crust extra fragrant again—almost like it just came out of the oven!

FAQs

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

For the richest flavor, apple cider is best since it’s less filtered and more robust, but in a pinch, you can use apple juice—the result will be a bit milder in apple flavor.

What’s the best way to keep the cinnamon sugar topping crisp?

Make sure to coat the bread with cinnamon sugar while it’s still warm and the melted butter hasn’t set. This helps the topping adhere well and creates that slightly crunchy crust even after storage.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Be sure it includes xanthan gum for structure, and watch your baking time as gluten-free batters can sometimes bake a bit faster.

How do I prevent the bread from sticking to the pan?

Generously grease your loaf pan with butter or nonstick spray. For extra insurance, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy lifting once baked.

Can I add anything to the batter?

Absolutely! Chopped apples, walnuts, or even a handful of raisins can add extra flavor and texture. Just fold your mix-ins in gently at the end before baking.

Final Thoughts

I can’t stress enough how joyful (and delicious) it is to pull a loaf of Apple Cider Donut Bread from the oven. Whether you’re serving this at brunch or snacking solo, each slice radiates autumn warmth and orchard charm. Give it a try—you might just find your new fall favorite!

Apple Cider Donut Bread Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 6 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Apple Cider Donut Bread recipe combines the flavors of apple cider and warm spices in a moist and delicious loaf that is perfect for fall.

Instructions

Reduce Apple Cider: Add the apple cider to a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until reduced by half, about 20-30 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool while the oven preheats.
Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or grease a 9×5 loaf pan.
Mix Butter and Sugar: Add the butter and brown sugar to a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Add all of the dry ingredients to the mixture along with the reduced apple cider. Stir by hand until just combined.
Bake: Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
Cool: Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
Transfer to Cooling Rack: Remove the bread to a cooling rack set over a sheet pan.
Brush with Butter: Brush the top and sides of the bread with melted butter.
Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Topping: Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Coat Bread: Sprinkle liberally over the top and sides of the bread to coat, letting excess cinnamon sugar fall to the pan below.
Cool and Serve: Let cool for 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American