Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf with Cinnamon Sugar Crust Recipe
This Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf features the warm, cozy flavors of classic autumn spices and apple cider baked into a moist and tender loaf. Finished with a buttery cinnamon sugar crust, it provides a delightful balance of sweetness and spice that tastes just like a freshly baked apple cider donut, perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup apple cider
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and grease and flour a 9×5‑inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice ensuring spices are evenly distributed.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the melted unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the apple cider and vanilla extract until combined well.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the loaf tender.
- Bake the Loaf: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Topping: While the loaf is cooling slightly, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar Crust: Brush the top of the warm loaf with melted butter, then generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top to create a sweet, spiced crust.
- Serve: Slice the loaf and enjoy it warm or at room temperature for a comforting treat perfect any time of day.
Notes
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the loaf light and tender.
- You can substitute apple cider with fresh apple juice if cider is unavailable.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
- Storage: Keep leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Reheat slices in a microwave or oven for a freshly baked taste.
Keywords: apple cider donut loaf, spiced loaf, cinnamon sugar crust, autumn baking, apple cider dessert
