Apple Cider Doughnut Blondies

If you love apple cider doughnuts, this Apple Cider Blondies recipe gives you that same warm, cinnamon‑sugar flavor baked into a chewy, buttery blondie bar that’s easier and faster to make than donuts. No mixer needed, just simple ingredients and big fall flavor.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Cider Blondies

These Apple Cider Blondies are packed with real apple flavor by using concentrated cider and the texture is slightly chewy with a soft center and topped with a cinnamon sugar topping. The flavors resemble an Apple Cider Doughnut but are much easier to make in a sheet pan and baked, not fried or and no yeast.

These are perfect for fall gatherings, bake sales, or holiday dessert tables because they are so easy to make.

If you want to add more texture and apple flavor, make this easy apple pie filling that we use in our Apple Pie Cookies and fold into the blondie batter. Or make homemade caramel sauce and drizzle over a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the apple cider blondie. Delicious!

Ingredients You Need to Make Apple Cider Doughnut Blondies

These blondies use simple pantry ingredients but taste like a bakery-style fall treat.

For the Blondies

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (We used Watkins Pure Vanilla Extract in this recipe)
• ¼ cup reduced apple cider (from 1 cup simmered down)
• 1 cup + ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon (for elevated cinnamon flavor, we used Watkins)
• ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg (we used this one)
• ¼ tsp salt

Cinnamon-Sugar Topping

• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

How to Make Apple Cider Blondies

These are incredibly easy to make and can be make in one bowl and don’t require a mixer.

1. Reduce the Apple Cider

Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Simmer until reduced to ¼ cup, about 10–15 minutes. Let cool slightly.

2. Make the Blondie Batter

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add egg, vanilla, and cooled reduced cider — whisk again. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gently fold dry into wet until just combined.

3. Bake

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 20–24 minutes, or until toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

4. Top & Serve

Cool completely. Brush tops with melted butter. Mix cinnamon and sugar, then sprinkle generously over blondies before slicing.

Baking Tips:

Always read the recipe entirely before you start baking.

1. Don’t skip reducing the cider — this concentrates the flavor so you actually taste the apple without adding too much moisture.
2. Pull them out before they look “done.” A few moist crumbs on a toothpick is perfect blondie texture. They will continue to firm up once they cool completely.
3. Let them cool before topping. The butter + cinnamon sugar cling better and don’t melt off.
4. Use real apple cider, not apple juice. Apple cider has richer flavor and no added sugar. I tested by using apple cider packets with water and real Apple Cider works better.

Storage Instructions

Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, freeze slices individually and thaw at room temp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, they actually taste even better the next day as the flavors meld. You can also make 3 months in advance and freeze.

Can I double the recipe? Yep! Bake in a 9×13-inch pan and add 3–5 more minutes to the bake time.

Can I skip the topping? Technically yes, but the cinnamon sugar is what makes these taste like a doughnut.

These Apple Cider Blondies deliver cozy apple cider doughnut flavor in an easy one-bowl dessert, perfect for fall gatherings, weekends, or gifting.

Apple Cider Blondies

Chewy, soft, buttery blondie bars with apple cider and cinnamon sugar topping, just like an apple cider doughnut.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 24 minutes mins

Servings 22

Ingredients

  

• ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
• ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
• 1 large egg Room temperature
• 1 tsp Watkins Pure Vanilla Extract
• ¼ cup reduced apple cider from 1 cup simmered down
• 1 cup + ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp Ground Nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt

Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

• 2 tablespoons of butter melted
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon Watkins Ground Cinnamon

Instructions

 

• Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Simmer until it’s reduced to ¼ cup, about 10–15 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
• Add the eggs, vanilla, and reduced apple cider. Whisk until fully combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
• Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined — do not overmix.
• Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 20–24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
• Cool completely before cutting into bars and topping with melted butter and a cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Keyword apple cider, apple cider blondie, apple cider dessert, apple cider doughnut, apple cider doughnut blondie, apple dessert, blondies, easy fall dessert