Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf with Cinnamon Sugar Crust Recipe

Introduction

This Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf brings the cozy flavors of autumn into a moist, tender loaf cake. With warm spices and a sweet cinnamon sugar crust, it’s perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.

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
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for crust)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for crust)
• 2 tbsp melted butter (for crust)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
3. Step 3: In another bowl, whisk melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs. Stir in the apple cider and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Step 4: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Step 6: Allow the loaf to cool slightly. Meanwhile, mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the crust.
7. Step 7: Brush the top of the warm loaf with melted butter and generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top.
8. Step 8: Slice and enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh apple cider for the best flavor; if unavailable, unsweetened apple juice can be a substitute.
• For an extra moist loaf, add ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce to the wet ingredients.
• Try adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter for a crunchy texture.
• Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar for added sweetness.

Storage

Store the loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to one week, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat slices gently in the microwave or oven to enjoy warm.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

Yes, unsweetened apple juice can be used as a substitute, though the flavor may be slightly less robust than fresh apple cider.

How do I know when the loaf is fully baked?

The loaf is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Baking times can vary slightly, so start checking at 45 minutes.

Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf with Cinnamon Sugar Crust Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 65 reviews

This Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf is a moist, flavorful quick bread that combines the comforting spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice with the sweet tang of apple cider. Topped with a crunchy cinnamon sugar crust, it’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy snack during fall or anytime you crave a warm, spiced treat.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings (slices) 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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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

Topping

• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for crust)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for crust)
• 2 tbsp melted butter (for crust)

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a 9×5‑inch loaf pan and lightly dust it with flour to prevent sticking.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice until well combined.
3. Mix wet ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk the melted unsalted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until smooth. Then stir in the apple cider and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
4. Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula. Stir until just combined to avoid overmixing, which keeps the loaf tender.
5. Bake the loaf: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Prepare the topping: While the loaf is baking, mix together the ¼ cup granulated sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon for the crust topping.
7. Add cinnamon sugar crust: Once the loaf is out of the oven and slightly cooled but still warm, brush the top generously with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the top to create a fragrant crust.
8. Serve: Slice the loaf and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy this spiced apple cider loaf as a comforting breakfast or snack.

Notes

• Do not overmix the batter to keep the loaf tender and light.
• You can substitute apple cider with apple juice if needed, but cider gives a richer flavor.
• Make sure the loaf cools slightly before adding the cinnamon sugar crust to help it stick better.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
• For extra moisture, warm slices slightly before serving.

Keywords: apple cider loaf, spiced donut loaf, cinnamon sugar crust, autumn bread, quick bread, cinnamon nutmeg allspice loaf