Apple Cider Donut Bread (Printer version)

Moist quick bread bursting with apple cider flavor, topped with cinnamon sugar for a cozy touch.

# What You'll Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 1 cup apple cider
02 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
03 - ½ cup granulated sugar
04 - ¼ cup packed brown sugar
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - ⅓ cup buttermilk
07 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

08 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
09 - 1 tsp baking powder
10 - ½ tsp baking soda
11 - ½ tsp salt
12 - 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
13 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
14 - ¼ tsp ground allspice

→ Topping

15 - 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
16 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
17 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
02 - Simmer apple cider over medium heat until reduced to ½ cup, about 10 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and cooled reduced cider until smooth.
04 - Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice in a separate bowl.
05 - Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined; avoid over-mixing.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface.
07 - Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
09 - Brush warm loaf with melted butter. Mix sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle or roll the loaf to coat thoroughly.
10 - Allow loaf to cool fully before slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • When you bake this bread, your kitchen will smell as inviting as your favorite cider mill.
  • The cinnamon sugar crust gives every soft slice a toasty donut edge—it's impossible to eat just one piece.
02 -
  • If you rush the cider reduction, you lose both depth and moisture—patience pays off in dense, apple-rich flavor.
  • Coating the loaf in cinnamon sugar before it’s cooled ensures maximum stick and crunch; wait too long and the sugar slides off.
03 -
  • Stir the cinnamon sugar for the topping together right before using so it’s super aromatic and doesn’t clump.
  • Let the bread rest overnight if you can—you’ll find the flavor deepens beautifully by morning.
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