The Best Apple Cider Donuts with Fresh Milled Flour

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These apple cider donuts with fresh milled flour offer a wonderful way to bring a little warmth and seasonal joy to your kitchen. The cozy aroma seems to hug you like a soft sweater on a crisp fall day. When you add fresh milled flour to the mix, you get a delightful depth of flavor and texture that really elevates this classic treat. These fresh donuts are perfect to enjoy with a cup of tea or your favorite hot drink while watching the leaves change. Treat yourself and those around you to this cozy homemade delight—they’ll quickly become a fall favorite.

What Makes This Recipe Great

Perfectly balanced flavor and texture.
The use of fresh milled flour adds a subtle nutty richness that pairs wonderfully with the sweet and cinnamon-spiced apple cider donut batter. These homemade donuts come out tender on the inside with a slightly crispy crust, creating a pleasant contrast in every bite.

A nostalgic yet fresh treat.
Apple cider donuts have those comforting autumn vibes we all crave, but using freshly milled flour turns it into a slightly unexpected twist that showcases wholesome homemade goodness. It’s like taking a familiar favorite and giving it a little culinary high-five.

Simple ingredients, big impact.
You don’t need a long list of complicated ingredients here, just everyday pantry staples combined with fresh milled flour and apple cider. It makes the whole baking process approachable, even if you’re a little wary of milling your own flour for the first time.

For more fresh milled desserts, try this Pumpkin Monkey Bread or this delicious Apple Pie!

Overview of Ingredients

Apple Cider
Using fresh apple cider brings a natural sweetness and warmth to the donuts, plus a subtle fruity tang. If you can’t find fresh cider, you can substitute with apple juice but reduce the added sugar slightly to keep balance.

Fresh Milled Flour
Freshly milled flour is the star here, lending a rich, slightly rustic flavor and tender texture that store-bought flour just can’t match. If you don’t have a grain mill handy, use high-quality all-purpose flour and your donuts will still turn out tasty.

Honey

Honey adds moisture, enhancing the spice mix beautifully. You can swap in brown sugar or maple syrup for a different sweetness or use white sugar if needed, though the flavor will be lighter.

Spices (Cinnamon & Nutmeg)
These spices bring out that delicious hint of warmth and that quintessential apple flavor. 

Baking Powder and Baking Soda
These leavening agents ensure a light and fluffy texture.

Tips for Success

#1 Use fresh milled flour promptly
Once flour is milled, it starts to oxidize and lose its fresh flavor quickly, so be sure to use it as soon as possible for the best taste in your donuts. 

#2 Don’t overmix the batter
When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated to avoid developing gluten too much. Overmixing can make tough donuts rather than tender and fluffy donuts, which defeats the whole purpose.

#3 Maintain the right oil temperature
If frying your donuts, keep your oil between 350-375°F to ensure even cooking and a golden crust without absorbing too much oil. A kitchen thermometer is handy here to avoid undercooked or overly greasy results.

#4 Coat donuts as soon as they’re cool enough
After frying or baking, toss the donuts in cinnamon sugar while they are still a bit warm. This helps the sugar stick nicely and creates that perfect sweet crust.

Helpful Tools & Supplies

Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of fresh milled flour or you’re a seasoned home baker, I’ve taken the guesswork out of what you truly need. All of these tools and resources are available in my shop, designed to help your journey be smooth and nourishing:

Grain Mills

• NutriMill Classic Grain Mill – My go-to for fine, consistent milling; perfect for sandwich breads and everyday baking.
• NutriMill Harvest Grain Mill – Stone-ground elegance: this model delivers whole-grain flavor with a beautiful appearance.

Mixers

• Ankarsrum Mixer – A powerhouse kitchen companion with multiple speeds and attachments—ideal for kneading bread dough effortlessly.

Baking & Bread Tools

• Bread Bow Knife – Artisan-made with a high-carbon steel blade and cherry wood handle—this knife slices loaves with ease.
• Sourdough Essentials Kit With Starter – Complete starter kit that includes dehydrated sourdough starter, banneton baskets, a dough whisk, scoring lame, and more.

Cookbooks & eBook Bundles

• Everyday Whole Grains Vol. 1 & 2 (printed & digital) – Packed with 70+ recipes built around fresh milled flour, from breads to snacks and desserts.
• The Fresh Breads Bundle – A comprehensive set including eBooks like The Perfect Loaf, the Cookie Jar, bulk baking guides, and a sourdough mini‑course—all centered on fresh milled flour.
• Freshly Milled Made Simple Guide – A video-based guide that walks you through milling and baking basics, making the process feel easy and approachable.

Specialty Items

• Dehydrated Sourdough Starter – Just add water and flour to rehydrate this starter—perfect for bakers without an active sourdough culture.
• I Knead Fresh Flour Mug – A charming, handmade 12 oz ceramic mug—great for coffee breaks during dough rising!

Why These Are Worth It

Every tool in this collection has been personally vetted to support you in baking with fresh milled flour. From the grain mills that make your flour, to mixers that knead dough, to resources that teach you every step—it’s all here to make sure your homemade bread journey is joyful, nourishing, and successful.

➡️ Explore all of these items and more in the Generation Acres Farm Shop — your one-stop spot for fresh milled flour baking essentials.

Equipment:

Grain Mill for Milling Flour
Mixing Bowls
Whisk and Spatula
Donut Pan or Deep Fryer/Pot for Frying
Cooling Rack
Measuring Cups and Spoons  

​How to Make the Best Apple Cider Donuts with Fresh Milled Flour

Ingredients:

Donuts:

• 2 ⅔ cups apple cider ( 652 grams)
• 5 tablespoons butter (72 grams)
• ⅓ cup honey (90 grams)
• ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce (90 grams)
• ⅓ cup cold milk (78 grams)
• 2 eggs
• 4 ½ – 5 cups freshly milled soft white wheat flour, finely milled (518-575 grams)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• Coconut oil or beef tallow for frying

Coating:

• 1 cup sugar (120 grams)
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions:

• To begin, reduce the apple cider down to ½ cup. Do this by boiling over medium-high heat in a small saucepan for about 15-20 minutes. 

• To the reduced apple cider, add the butter and honey and stir until melted over low heat. Remove from the heat and pour into a large mixing bowl.

• Add the applesauce, milk, and eggs to the bowl and stir to combine. 

• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg and stir together. Add just enough flour to where the dough comes together. It will not be a typical bread dough and does not need to be kneaded. It should be wet and sticky, but still come together. If it is super wet, add some more flour. Keep in mind that it will harden somewhat in the fridge, making it easier to roll out.

• Cover and place in the fridge for an hour.
• In a deep pot, melt coconut oil or beef tallow. It should fill the pot about ⅓ of the way – enough so that the donuts don’t touch the bottom of the pot while frying. 

• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll until it’s about ½ inch thick. Cut out the donuts using a 3-inch cookie or biscuit cutter. Then use something small to cut out the middles. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

• Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a bowl that is deep enough to dip the donuts in. 

• Make sure the oil has reached 350 degrees F. then place about 3 donuts in at a time. Fry for 30-60 seconds per side, until golden brown. Remove and place on a wire rack with a pan under it. 

• Pretty shortly after frying, dip the donuts into the cinnamon sugar mixture both sides. Make sure they are still a little moist so the coating sticks. 

Recipe Variations

Glazed Donuts:
Skip the cinnamon sugar coating and dip the warm donuts in a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and a splash of vanilla extract. It adds a lovely shiny finish and extra sweetness.

Apple Chunks:
Fold in finely chopped fresh apples for added texture and bursts of fruity sweetness. Choose crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for great flavor.

Baked Version:
If you prefer baking, use a donut pan and bake at 350°F for about 10-12 minutes until golden and springy to the touch.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with this Recipe

Donuts Are Too Dense
Check your flour measurement carefully; too much flour or overmixing the batter can make donuts heavy. Also, make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh for a proper rise.

Donuts Absorb Too Much Oil
If frying, the oil temperature is likely too low. Use a thermometer to keep the oil hot but not smoking. Cold oil makes the donuts soak up grease instead of cooking quickly.

Sugar Coating Doesn’t Stick
Don’t wait too long to coat the donuts; they need to be warm but not hot. If they cool completely, the sugar won’t adhere well. You can also use a pair of tongs, dip them quickly back into the frying oil, then coat them immediately.

Dry Donuts
Make sure your wet ingredients, like apple cider and honey, are well measured to maintain moisture. Baking too long or at high heat can also dry them out.

Uneven Donut Shape
If you’re frying, try using a donut cutter to keep shapes consistent when cutting dough. Baking in a donut pan helps the shape too.

Freezing & Storing Leftovers

Freezing:
Let the donuts cool to room temperature then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.

Storing:
Store cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to 5 days but be aware the texture might firm up a bit.

How To Reheat

Oven Method
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the donuts on a baking sheet and warm for about 5-7 minutes until heated through and slightly crisp on the outside.

Microwave Method
Pop a donut on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 15-20 seconds to gently warm without drying out too much.

Air Fryer Method
Set your air fryer to 320°F and warm the donuts for 3-4 minutes. This helps maintain a crisp exterior while heating the inside nicely.

Stovetop Method
Warm a non-stick skillet on low heat, add donuts, and cover with a lid for a couple of minutes to warm evenly. Turn them gently to warm on all sides without burning.

Extra FAQs

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of fresh milled flour?
Yes, though fresh milled flour gives a unique flavor and texture. Whole wheat flour will make the donuts denser but still tasty and wholesome.

Is it necessary to fry the donuts?
Not at all. Baking donuts in a pan or muffin tin is a great alternative and healthier option that still yields delicious results.

Can I store apple cider donuts for later?
They taste best fresh but can be stored for a few days or frozen for longer. Reheating helps revive their softness and flavor.

Are apple cider donuts gluten-free?
This recipe is not gluten-free due to the use of wheat flour. However, experimenting with gluten-free flour blends could work with some adjustments.