Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf with Cinnamon Sugar Crust Recipe
This Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf is a cozy, flavorful treat perfect for fall or any time you crave a sweet, warmly spiced baked good. Infused with apple cider and aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, this moist loaf has a delightful cinnamon sugar crust that mimics the classic taste of apple cider donuts in an easy-to-make loaf form.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry 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
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup apple cider
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Crust
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and grease and flour a 9×5‑inch loaf pan to prevent the batter from sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice until evenly combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another large bowl, whisk the melted unsalted butter with granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until smooth. Stir in the apple cider and vanilla extract until the mixture is homogeneous.
- Combine Ingredients: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure a tender crumb.
- Bake the Loaf: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Topping: While the loaf is cooling slightly, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar Crust: Brush the top of the warm loaf with melted butter and generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over it to create a sweet spiced crust.
- Serve: Slice the loaf and enjoy it warm or at room temperature for a comforting treat.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the loaf light and fluffy.
- The apple cider adds moisture and subtle apple flavor; for extra intensity, reduce apple cider slightly before adding or use fresh apple juice.
- This loaf can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Reheat slices gently in the microwave or oven for a warm, fresh-baked feel.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine or oil.
Keywords: apple cider donut loaf, spiced apple bread, cinnamon sugar crust, fall dessert, baked apple dessert
