Introduction
Oh, friends, what if I told you that you could have the taste of a warm, fresh from the orchard apple cider donut, but in a big, cozy, sliceable loaf? This Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf is pure autumn magic! Imagine your whole kitchen smelling like sweet apples and warm cinnamon. It’s incredibly tender, moist, and topped with a crunchy cinnamon sugar crust. It’s one of those amazing fall desserts that feels so comforting, but the batter comes together in just minutes, making it a perfect, easy baking project.
Serving Versatility
This autumn sweet bread is a star all on its own, but it’s wonderfully versatile! Enjoy a thick slice, warm from the oven, with a pat of butter for breakfast, have it as a cozy snack with a hot cup of coffee, or even cube it and toast it to serve with ice cream for an amazing fall dessert.
Full Recipe Section
Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf
Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 50-60 minutes Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes Servings: 1 loaf (8 thick slices) Calories: Approximately 310 kcal per slice
Ingredients:
- For the Loaf:
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup apple cider (the fresh, cloudy kind)
- 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk, at room temperature
- For the Topping:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1.5 teaspoons of cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
- Combine: In a small glass, stir the apple cider and milk together.
- Alternate: Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the apple cider/milk mixture (begin and end with the dry ingredients). Mix just until combined. Do not overmix the batter!
- Bake: Pour the thick batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Slightly: Let the loaf cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes.
- Add Topping: While the loaf is still warm, brush the top with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. In a small bowl, mix the 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture generously all over the buttery top.
- Serve: Let the loaf cool completely before slicing, or serve warm.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick Preparation: The batter comes together in just 15 minutes with simple pantry staples.
- Budget Friendly: Uses simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and apple cider to create one of the best homemade fall baked goods.
- The Ultimate Cozy Flavor: This is one of the best fall dessert recipes cinnamon and apple lovers will dream about. It’s so warm and nostalgic.
- Wholesome & Comforting: A truly comforting, cozy treat that makes your whole house smell like autumn.
- Easy to Customize: Add 1 cup of finely chopped apples or 1/2 cup of toasted pecans to the batter for extra texture!
Cultural or Cooking Technique Note (Optional)
This is a classic example of an American “quick bread.” Unlike yeasted breads (like some Christmas cinnamon bread, which needs to rise), this loaf gets its lift from chemical leaveners: baking powder and baking soda. This technique makes it a fast and reliable bake, allowing you to have a warm, delicious loaf ready in just about an hour.
Serving Suggestions
- With Coffee: Serve a warm slice with your morning coffee or a hot mug of spiced tea.
- Buttered: A simple pat of salted butter on a slice is pure heaven.
- A La Mode: Top a thick slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for one of the most amazing fall desserts.
- Toasted: Leftover slices are fantastic when toasted in a toaster oven until the sugar crust re-caramelizes!
Pro Tips for Success
- Reduce Your Cider: For a huge apple flavor boost, gently simmer 1 cup of apple cider on the stove until it’s reduced down to 1/2 cup. Let it cool completely before adding to the batter.
- Do Not Overmix: This is the key to a tender loaf. Mix the flour and liquid just until they are combined. A few lumps are perfectly okay!
- Room Temperature: Make sure your butter, egg, and milk are at room temperature. This helps them combine smoothly and creates a lighter, fluffier texture.
- Apply Topping Warm: Brush the butter and add the cinnamon sugar while the loaf is still warm from the pan. This helps it stick and create that signature crunchy donut crust.
Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Store the loaf tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: The best way to enjoy a slice is to warm it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. This makes it soft and cozy again.
Closing Paragraph
I truly hope this Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf becomes one of your new favorite autumn sweet breads! It’s such a simple, joyful bake and one of my favorite apple cider uses for food. I can’t wait for you to try it! If you make it, please leave a comment and a rating below. I love to hear how it turned out!
🎀 Final Thoughts
This loaf is just… it’s my happy place. That first slice when it’s still a little warm, with the crunchy sugar top… it just tastes exactly like a perfect fall day at an apple orchard. It’s my favorite way to bring that cozy, nostalgic feeling right into my own kitchen.