Introduction

This Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf offers the cozy flavors of fall in a sweet, tender bread. It’s infused with warm spices and finished with a crisp cinnamon sugar crust, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.

Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf With A Cinnamon Sugar Crust Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1½ 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)
4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, melted (for crust)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice until evenly combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter with granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, apple cider, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold with a rubber spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the loaf tender.
Step 5: Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 to 65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top browns too fast, loosely tent with foil.
Step 6: Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Then carefully lift the loaf out and cool it further on the rack until just warm, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 7: While the loaf cools, mix ¼ cup granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon in a shallow dish. Melt the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter separately.
Step 8: Brush all sides of the warm loaf generously with the melted butter. Immediately roll or sprinkle the loaf in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
Step 9: Return the coated loaf to the wire rack and let it cool completely to room temperature before slicing. Use a serrated knife for clean slices.

Tips & Variations

For extra apple flavor, stir in ½ cup finely chopped or grated apples into the batter before baking.
Swap apple cider for pear or cranberry juice to experiment with different fruity notes.
To make this loaf vegan, replace eggs with flax eggs and use a plant-based butter alternative.

Storage

Store the cooled loaf wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the loaf tightly wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and refresh the crust with a light butter brush if desired. Reheat slices gently in a toaster or oven before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of flour?

All-purpose flour works best for the right texture, but you can substitute with whole wheat flour for a denser, nuttier loaf. Use the same quantity and expect a slightly different crumb.

Why is the cinnamon sugar crust important?

The cinnamon sugar crust adds a delightful crunch and extra sweetness that complements the soft, spiced interior, giving this loaf the feel of a classic apple cider donut in cake form.

Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf With A Cinnamon Sugar Crust Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 106 reviews

This Spiced Apple Cider Donut Loaf is a moist and flavorful quick bread infused with comforting autumn spices and apple cider. It features a tender crumb made with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, and is topped with a buttery cinnamon sugar crust that adds a delightful crunch. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy snack, this loaf captures the essence of fall in every bite.

Author: Daniel
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (about 8–10 slices) 1x
Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1½ 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
4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal of the loaf later.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice until well blended.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk melted unsalted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, apple cider, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.
Mix Batter: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold with a rubber spatula until just combined and no dry flour streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix to keep the loaf tender.
Bake Loaf: Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 to 65 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts browning too fast, loosely tent with foil to prevent burning.
Cool Loaf: Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Then carefully lift the loaf from the pan using the parchment overhang and continue cooling on the rack until it is warm to the touch, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Crust: While the loaf cools, mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow dish. Melt unsalted butter separately for brushing the loaf.
Apply Crust: Brush all sides of the warm loaf generously with the melted butter. Immediately roll or sprinkle the loaf with the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated, covering every side evenly.
Final Cooling and Serve: Place the crusted loaf back on the wire rack and allow it to cool completely to room temperature before slicing with a serrated knife. Serve and enjoy this spiced treat fresh.

Notes

Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the loaf tender and moist.
If the top browns too quickly during baking, cover the loaf loosely with foil to prevent burning.
Using parchment paper with an overhang helps remove the loaf easily once baked.
The cinnamon sugar crust adds a delicious crunchy texture and sweetness—don’t skip this step!
Store leftovers tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: apple cider donut loaf, spiced loaf, cinnamon sugar crust, fall baking, quick bread, autumn dessert