These mini apple cider donut muffins are a delightful and easy-to-make fall treat, perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Easy Apple Cider Donut Muffins: A Delicious Fall Treat! 16

You can enjoy the classic flavors of apple cider donuts in a convenient muffin form, making them an ideal choice for busy mornings or a quick afternoon pick-me-up.

With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe brings the essence of autumn right into your kitchen. It’s a fantastic way to capture that cozy fall feeling without spending hours on a complicated baking project.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true winner for anyone looking for a taste of fall without the fuss. It’s designed for busy families, beginner bakers, and anyone who appreciates a delicious treat that comes together quickly. You’ll love how these muffins capture the warm, spiced flavor of traditional apple cider donuts but in a much more accessible and less messy muffin form. They’re perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast, a lunchbox treat, or a delightful snack with a cup of coffee or tea. The mini size makes them especially appealing to kids, and they’re just right for serving at a casual brunch or a fall-themed gathering. This recipe is all about maximizing flavor with minimal effort, making it a staple for your autumn baking repertoire.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for these apple cider donut muffins is simple, as most items are likely already in your pantry. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, using common baking staples to create something truly special.

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt
1 large egg
½ cup unsweetened apple cider
¼ cup milk (any kind)
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping:
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

When selecting your ingredients, opt for good quality apple cider – unsweetened is best to control the sweetness of the muffins. For the milk, any variety you have on hand will work, whether it’s whole milk, 2%, or even a non-dairy alternative like almond or oat milk. If you don’t have light brown sugar, you can substitute it with an equal amount of granulated sugar, though the brown sugar adds a lovely depth of flavor and moisture. Feel free to adjust the spices to your preference; if you’re not a fan of cloves, you can omit them or increase the cinnamon and nutmeg slightly. For the butter, unsalted is generally preferred in baking as it allows you to control the salt content, but salted butter can be used if that’s all you have – just reduce the added salt in the recipe by a tiny pinch.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for speed and convenience, making it perfect for those moments when you crave a homemade treat but don’t have all day.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 12-15 minutes
Total time: 27-30 minutes

These times are estimates and can vary slightly depending on how quickly you work and the specifics of your oven. The good news is that the process is very hands-on for only a short period, leaving you with delicious muffins in under half an hour.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating these apple cider donut muffins is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for perfect results every time.

Prepare Your Muffin Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin pan with cooking spray or line with mini paper liners. This ensures your muffins won’t stick and will pop out easily.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps, especially in the brown sugar, for an even texture.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, apple cider, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine and will result in tender muffins. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins.
Fill Muffin Cups and Bake: Spoon the batter into the prepared mini muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The muffins should be lightly golden brown.
Prepare the Donut Topping: While the muffins are baking, melt ¼ cup of butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. In another small bowl, combine ½ cup of granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
Coat the Warm Muffins: Once the muffins are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pan for just 2-3 minutes. While still warm, gently remove them from the pan. Dip each muffin first in the melted butter, ensuring it’s fully coated, then immediately roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

These apple cider donut muffins are incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a fun twist, consider adding a tablespoon of finely grated apple to the batter for an extra burst of apple flavor and moisture. You could also fold in a quarter cup of mini chocolate chips or chopped walnuts for added texture and richness.

When it comes to serving, these mini muffins are perfect for a casual breakfast spread alongside fresh fruit and yogurt. They make an excellent addition to a fall-themed brunch buffet, perhaps next to a pot of hot coffee or spiced apple cider. For a kid-friendly snack, serve them with a glass of milk. If you’re feeling a little fancy, a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce can elevate them into a simple dessert. They’re also fantastic for packing into lunchboxes or taking to a potluck. The mini size makes them easy to share and enjoy without too much commitment.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have a few pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for will ensure your apple cider donut muffins turn out perfectly every time.

Overmixing the Batter: This is perhaps the most common mistake in muffin making. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough, chewy muffins instead of light and tender ones. Stir the wet and dry ingredients together only until *just* combined. A few lumps are okay!
Overfilling Muffin Cups: Filling the cups too high can cause the muffins to spill over the sides, creating a messy pan and misshapen muffins. Aim for about two-thirds full for mini muffins to allow for proper rising.
Baking at the Wrong Temperature: An oven that’s too hot can burn the outside while leaving the inside raw, while an oven that’s too cool can result in dense, pale muffins. Always preheat your oven fully and consider using an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy.
Not Coating While Warm: The key to the delicious cinnamon sugar topping sticking is to coat the muffins while they are still warm, but not piping hot. If they cool too much, the butter won’t adhere as well, and the sugar won’t stick.
Forgetting to Grease the Pan (or using old liners): Even with non-stick pans, a light greasing or fresh paper liners are crucial for easy removal. Older or cheaper paper liners can sometimes stick to the muffins.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

These apple cider donut muffins are best enjoyed fresh, especially with their delightful cinnamon sugar coating. However, they can be stored and even made ahead with a few considerations.

To store them, place the cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. The cinnamon sugar coating might absorb some moisture and become slightly less crisp over time, but the flavor will still be fantastic. To refresh them, you can pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm them in a toaster oven for a few minutes to bring back some of that fresh-baked warmth.

If you plan to make them further in advance, you can bake the muffins, let them cool completely, and then freeze them *before* adding the butter and cinnamon sugar topping. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw them at room temperature, then warm them slightly and proceed with the butter and cinnamon sugar coating step. This method helps preserve the texture of the coating.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Q: Can I use regular-sized muffin tins instead of mini? A: Yes, you can

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.