There are certain foods that just taste like fall, and apple cider donuts are near the top of that list. 🍂

Warm apple cider. Cinnamon. Nutmeg. That buttery cinnamon-sugar coating.

Now take all of that and turn it into an easy loaf you can slice and eat warm with a cup of coffee.

That’s exactly what we’re doing with this Apple Cider Donut Loaf. No yeast. No frying. Just a ridiculously good fall treat that makes your kitchen smell amazing.

🍎 What You’ll Need

For the loaf

• 2 cups apple cider
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Cinnamon-Sugar Crust

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

🍞 Let’s Make It

1. Reduce the cider

Pour 2 cups of apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer until it reduces to about 1 cup.

This concentrates the apple flavor and gives the loaf that unmistakable cider-donut taste.

Let it cool slightly.

2. Mix the wet ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together:

• Reduced apple cider
• Melted butter
• Eggs
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla

3. Add the dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently stir just until combined. Don’t overmix it unless you’ve always dreamed of eating a cinnamon-sugar brick. 😂

4. Bake

Pour the batter into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.

Bake at 350°F for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then carefully remove it.

✨ Now Make It Taste Like a Cider Donut

This is the good part.

While the loaf is still warm, brush the top and sides with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.

Mix together:

¼ cup sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the buttered loaf, gently pressing some onto the sides.

Now you’ve got that sweet, slightly crunchy cider-donut-style crust. 🍎

🍂 DOOZY TIP

Don’t skip reducing the cider.

Using two cups and reducing it to one concentrates the apple flavor without adding too much liquid to the batter. It’s a small extra step that makes a big difference.

🔥 Make It Even Better

Serve a slice slightly warm.

It’s fantastic by itself, but you can add:

🍨 Vanilla ice cream
🍎 Warm cinnamon apples
🍁 A drizzle of maple syrup
☕ Or just a hot cup of coffee

Frankly, warm cider-donut loaf and coffee on a cool September morning is a pretty compelling argument for autumn.

🍎 Welcome to FALL INTO AWESOME™

You don’t need anything complicated to enjoy the season.

Sometimes it’s just a cool morning, something baking in the oven and your house smelling like apples and cinnamon.

Make the loaf. Pour the coffee. Enjoy fall. 🍂

Awesomeness Awaits… So Let’s Go.™ 🚀