Cider Donut Bread

Introduction

This Cider Donut Bread captures the warm, spiced flavors of autumn in a tender, moist loaf. Sweetened with reduced apple cider and coated in cinnamon sugar, it’s perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack.

Ingredients

• 2 cups apple cider
• ½ 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
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup melted butter
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Step 1: 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 heat and set aside to cool while the oven preheats.
2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter or grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
3. Step 3: In a mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
4. Step 4: Beat in the egg and vanilla until well combined.
5. Step 5: Add the flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the mixture along with the reduced apple cider. Stir by hand until just combined.
6. Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
8. Step 8: Remove the bread to a cooling rack set over a sheet pan.
9. Step 9: Brush the top and sides of the bread with melted butter.
10. Step 10: In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.
11. Step 11: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar liberally over the top and sides of the bread to coat, allowing excess to fall onto the pan below.
12. Step 12: Let cool for 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh apple cider for the best flavor, and be patient reducing it—it intensifies the apple notes in the bread.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute the flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
• If you prefer a less sweet bread, reduce the brown sugar slightly or adjust the cinnamon sugar topping to taste.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm slices in a toaster oven or microwave until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this bread without reducing the cider?

Reducing the cider concentrates its flavor and prevents excess liquid in the batter, so it’s best to reduce it as directed. Skipping this step may result in a soggy texture.

What can I use instead of apple pie spice?

If you don’t have apple pie spice, you can mix 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, and ¼ teaspoon ground allspice for a similar blend.

Cider Donut Bread

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 150 reviews

This Cider Donut Bread is a delightful, moist loaf infused with rich apple cider reduction and warm apple pie spices. Topped with a buttery cinnamon sugar coating, it’s perfect for autumn breakfasts, snacks, or dessert with a cup of coffee or tea.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 slices) 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Batter

• 2 cups apple cider
• ½ cup butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Topping

• ¼ cup melted butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Reduce the Apple Cider: Pour the apple cider into a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, about 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool while you prepare the oven.
2. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter or grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
3. Cream Butter and Brown Sugar: In a mixing bowl, add softened butter and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Cider: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, then pour in the cooled reduced apple cider. Stir gently by hand until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the bread tender.
6. Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool in Pan: Remove the loaf from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 15 minutes to set.
8. Transfer and Prepare Topping: Carefully remove the bread from the pan and place it on a cooling rack set over a sheet pan to catch any sugar that falls off.
9. Brush with Butter: Using a pastry brush, coat the top and sides with the melted butter to help the sugar topping stick better.
10. Mix and Apply Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the buttered bread, allowing excess to fall onto the sheet pan below for easy cleanup.
11. Final Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool completely for about an hour before slicing to ensure clean cuts and enhanced flavors.

Notes

• Apple cider reduction intensifies the cider flavor without adding extra liquid to the batter.
• For a more pronounced spice flavor, feel free to add extra apple pie spice or a dash of nutmeg.
• This bread is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Reheat slices gently in a toaster or microwave for a warm treat.
• Use unsalted butter to better control the salt content in the recipe.

Keywords: cider donut bread, apple cider bread, cinnamon sugar bread, fall bread recipe, spiced bread loaf