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Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf Recipe

4.5 from 66 reviews

This Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf is a moist and flavorful quick bread infused with warm fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. The use of apple cider adds a subtle fruity tang that perfectly complements the spiced batter, while a cinnamon-sugar crust adds a delightful sweet crunch on top. This loaf is easy to prepare, baked to golden perfection, and ideal for breakfast or a cozy snack.

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

Topping

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan to ensure the loaf doesn’t stick during baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice until well combined and evenly distributed.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk melted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating to incorporate fully. Stir in the apple cider and vanilla extract until the mixture is homogeneous.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a dense loaf.
  5. Bake the Loaf: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Prepare Topping: While the loaf is baking or cooling slightly, mix together the ¼ cup granulated sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
  7. Add Topping to Loaf: Once the loaf is out of the oven and still warm, brush the top generously with the melted butter. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the top to form a sweet, crunchy crust.
  8. Serve: Allow the loaf to cool enough to handle, then slice it and enjoy warm or at room temperature with your favorite beverage.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the loaf tender and light.
  • Using fresh apple cider adds the best flavor, but a good-quality store-bought cider works well too.
  • For extra flavor, add chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans to the batter.
  • You can substitute melted coconut oil for the butter to make it dairy-free.
  • Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
  • Reheat slices briefly in a toaster oven or microwave for a fresh-baked taste.

Keywords: apple cider, donut loaf, spiced loaf, cinnamon nutmeg allspice, quick bread, fall recipes, breakfast bread