Calling Apple Cider Donut Fans! These Treats Are for You

Celebrate the sweet flavors of fall with delicious shippable treats, from donut baking mixes to spiced apple caramels.

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
Image Credit: Jennifer Gauld/iStock/GettyImages

Seasonal sweet treats taste like nostalgia, conjuring the feeling of crisp air, the smell of cinnamon sugar and visions of colorful orchards—and you don't have to be a full-blown fall fanatic to adore classic dessert recipes like pumpkin pie, apple crisp, coffee cake and all their cozy accompaniments. But while these tried-and-true fall treats are worth stocking up on or baking at home, they're not the only option when you're craving a taste of autumn. This fall, skip standard store-bought sweets and opt for unique donuts, cookies, candies, mixes and more that come straight from online farm markets, apple orchards, small bakeries and Etsy shops.

Advertisement

From bake-your-own apple cider donut mix to crispy cookies to mulling spices that will add a pinch of festivity to any autumn dinner party or Halloween get-together, our roundup of spectacular sweet treats might just help you discover a new favorite fall dessert—and each featured item is available for delivery straight to your doorstep.

Video of the Day

Video of the Day

Get ready to add something new to your delicious annual rotation of pecan pie, baked apple streusel, fruit cobbler and pumpkin bread and everything in between with this mouthwatering list.

1. Classic Cider Donut Baking Mix

Can't make it to the farms of New England for your own fall excursion this year? Bring New England autumn to your own home with a cider donut baking mix from Carolyn's Farm Kitchen, a Massachusetts-based business that offers assorted mixes and ingredients online. This kit includes dry ingredients for a dozen apple cider donuts—no special baking mold necessary! You can whip up your own donuts in a muffin tin.

Advertisement

2. Glazed Pumpkin Spice Donuts

What's better than classic apple cider donuts? Pumpkin spice donuts, of course! It's no secret that pumpkin spice is a beloved fall flavor, and these glazed pumpkin spice donuts from Etsy baker EnchantedEclectic combine traditional seasonal donut spices with notes of ginger, cloves and nutmeg—plus an unbeatable glaze. The best part? They'll be delivered right to your door, packaged with care and ready to eat. Talk about an easy fall dessert!

Advertisement

Advertisement

3. Gourmet Apple Cider Donut Cookies

Apple cider donuts are amazing. Cookies are amazing. Why not combine the two into one ridiculously tasty treat? TheDoughPeddler offers gourmet apple cider donut cookies through its Etsy shop that are just as amazing as they sound. Each handmade batch is created from brown sugar cookie dough that's dressed up with apple, cinnamon chips and even reduced apple cider. Order 4, 8 or 12 cookies (and you should definitely go with 12). Wouldn't these be wonderful crumbled over a scoop of vanilla ice cream and topped with gooey caramel sauce?

Advertisement

4. Vegan & Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donut Mix

The best apple cider donuts are the ones you can enjoy safely without worrying about food sensitivities or allergies. Thankfully, Etsy baker Themansionspantry has you covered with an apple cider donut mix that's completely gluten-free and vegan. Your order ships from Vermont, so those New England cider mill vibes will be front and center when you pop these donuts in the oven.

Advertisement

5. Salted Caramel Hot Apple Cider Bombs

No tray of apple cider donuts or other seasonal confections is complete without, well, apple cider! Fresh cider is challenging to ship, but these salted caramel apple cider bombs from New Jersey–based Etsy maker TheElecticChic are the next best thing. The process is simple and delicious: Simply pour 12 oz. of boiling water over the bomb and stir until it melts and mixes to create a magical elixir of hot cider and salted caramel flavoring. Pair your steaming mug of hot apple cider with an array of traditional fall desserts such as apple tarts, snickerdoodle cookies or carrot cake.

Advertisement

Advertisement

6. Apple Cider Pancake Mix

If you ask us, fall flavors should be enjoyed year-round and at every single meal. No, we're not being hyperbolic: We're just that obsessed with cider mills, fall festivals and apple-picking! Bring fall vibes to the breakfast table with apple cider pancake mix from New England Hot Fudge Co., which can be made with fresh cider, milk or water. Top with fresh fruit and you're good to go for the best fall breakfast ever.

Advertisement

7. Spicy Apple Cider Caramels

Looking for those apple cider donut flavors in a smaller package? Pick up a bag of these spicy apple cider caramels from DLVcaramels on Etsy. They're handmade, just as mouthwatering as they sound and available in various sizes. (Again, we advise going for the biggest one!) Every piece is individually cut and made with an infusion of fall spices that add magic to each chewy bite.

8. Mulling Spices Kit

A mug of hot apple cider (or cold apple cider, for that matter) is tough to beat when it comes to seasonal beverages, but these mulling spices from West Virginia–based Smoke Camp Crafts will transform just about any drink into a fall drink. Mix this combo of ginger, orange peel, allspice, cloves and cinnamon into everything from wine to egg nog to farmers market–bought apple cider for an unbeatable flavor boost. Serve hot beverages alongside fresh spice cake for the ultimate treat.

We're big fans of heading out to the local apple orchard, but who knew that some of the best fall desserts would be found online? Whether you're an expert in the kitchen or more of a no-bake type, there's a seasonal sweet treat or fall recipe to satisfy your cravings and fit your skill level.

Can't get enough of those distinctive autumn flavors? We've got you covered. Check out our pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookie recipe, our Thanksgiving pumpkin cake tutorial (complete with cream cheese frosting and plenty of pumpkin pie spice), our easy apple pie cupcakes or our creamy pumpkin cheesecake recipe—just to name a few!

Advertisement