Imagine the cozy, spiced flavor of a classic apple cider donut, but ready in the time it takes to brew your coffee. This ingenious recipe uses soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls as a shortcut to donut perfection, bypassing all the mixing, kneading, and frying. The result is astonishingly good: warm, pillowy bites that soak up a spiced apple cider butter bath before getting rolled in a crackly cinnamon-sugar shell. Optional drizzle of sweet glaze takes them over the top.
This is the ultimate hack for when a cinnamon-sugar craving strikes on a crisp fall morning, when you need a last-minute treat for a Halloween party, or when you want to create a magical holiday breakfast without any stress. It’s less of a recipe and more of a delightful trick that will earn you permanent genius status in your kitchen.
The Secret Behind the Shockingly Good Shortcut
The magic of this recipe lies in the unique properties of Hawaiian rolls. Their pre-made dough is already enriched with butter, sugar, and eggs, giving it a tender, slightly sweet crumb that mimics traditional fried dough incredibly well. When baked (or even air-fried), they puff up and develop a golden exterior that’s perfect for coating.
The real flavor transformation happens with the apple cider “soak.” Reducing apple cider concentrates its spiced, tangy-sweet essence, which is then combined with melted butter. Brushing this mixture generously over the warm baked rolls accomplishes two things: it infuses every bite with authentic apple cider flavor and creates a sticky surface for the cinnamon sugar to cling to, creating that iconic, crunchy-sweet coating.
This method is a masterclass in building deep flavor quickly, proving that with a little creativity, incredible results don’t have to be complicated.
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1 package (12 count) King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup apple cider
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the Optional Glaze:
- ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or apple cider
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prep & Separate Rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Do not bake the rolls in one slab. Carefully pull apart all 12 Hawaiian rolls into individual pieces. If making donut holes, you can further separate each roll into 2-3 smaller, rough pieces.
2. Bake: Place the separated rolls or pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until they are puffed and golden brown on top. Remove from oven.
3. Make the Apple Cider Butter: While the rolls bake, combine the apple cider, butter, 1 tsp cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces slightly and thickens to a thin syrup. Remove from heat.
4. Coat the Warm Rolls: As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, use a pastry brush to generously and thoroughly coat each one with the warm apple cider butter mixture. You want them well-saturated.
5. Roll in Cinnamon Sugar: In a medium bowl, mix the ½ cup sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon. While the rolls are still very warm and sticky, roll them one by one in the cinnamon sugar until completely coated. Transfer to a serving plate.
6. Glaze (Optional): For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, 1 tbsp of liquid, and vanilla until smooth. Add more liquid a few drops at a time until it reaches a thick but drizzle-able consistency. Drizzle over the coated donut holes with a spoon or fork.
7. Serve Immediately: These are best enjoyed warm and fresh on the day they are made. The cinnamon sugar coating is at its peak crunch right after coating.
Pro-Tips for the Best Shortcut Donuts
- Don’t Skip the Separation: Pulling the rolls apart is crucial for maximum surface area, which means more crispy edges and more space for the cider butter and cinnamon sugar to adhere.
- Reduce for Flavor: Simmering the apple cider is non-negotiable. It cooks off the water, concentrating the apple flavor so it actually tastes like cider, not just butter.
- The Warmth is Key: Coat and roll the donuts while they are as warm as possible. The heat helps them absorb the butter and allows the sugar to stick perfectly.
- Air Fryer Method: For an even faster, crispier exterior, air fry the separated rolls at 350°F for 5-6 minutes, then proceed with coating.
- Get Creative: Add a pinch of apple pie spice to the cinnamon sugar. For a maple version, replace the cider with real maple syrup in the butter mixture. Turn them into “churro bites” by adding a tablespoon of melted butter to the cinnamon sugar to make a wet sand texture, then pack it on.
These Apple Cider Hawaiian Roll Donuts are the fastest way to bring the joy of a fall bakery right into your kitchen.