What better way to kick off the fall season than with apple cider donuts at home? This is truly the easiest donut recipe ever because it all starts with a box of spice cake mix. Plus, because they’re baked rather than fried in hot oil, they are naturally lighter! Made with applesauce and reduced cider, these donuts are Some Kinda Good® because they’re fluffy, tender, and perfectly sweet. I spooned the batter into the pan, and the recipe made 9 donuts total.

Happy Fall, Y’all!

Easy 4-Ingredient Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Ingredients

• 1 box spice cake mix (15.25 oz)
• ½ cup cinnamon applesauce
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups apple cider (reduced on the stove to 1 cup)
• Optional for topping: Melted butter or apple cider, and cinnamon sugar for rolling

Instructions

1. Reduce the Cider: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the 2 cups of apple cider to a simmer. Let it reduce until about 1 cup remains, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2. Prep the Oven & Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a donut pan.
3. Mix the Batter: In a bowl, mix the spice cake mix, applesauce, pure vanilla extract, and reduced apple cider until smooth.
4. Fill the Pan: Spoon or pipe batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ⅔ full.
5. Bake: Bake 15–18 minutes (about 17 minutes is usually the sweet spot), until the donuts spring back when touched.
6. Add the Magic Finish (Optional): While still warm, brush donuts with melted butter or apple cider, then roll in cinnamon sugar for that classic cider donut finish.

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