Amish Apple Cider Donut Bread

Amish Apple Cider Donut Bread is a warm hug in every slice, capturing the cozy flavors of apple cider donuts with the tender, cake-like texture Amish Friendship Bread is known for.

Imagine the tangy, autumnal sweetness of apple cider blended with the comforting notes of cinnamon and nutmeg—just like biting into a classic cider donut.

The secret to its soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture comes from the Amish starter, which adds a gentle rise and depth of flavor that’s uniquely satisfying. Each slice has a hint of that sweet starter paired with a golden, slightly crisp crust. It’s an easy, feel-good treat that’s just as lovely with a morning coffee as it is for a cozy afternoon snack.

What is an Amish friendship starter?

An Amish Friendship Bread starter is a fermented mixture that acts as the base for the bread, similar to a sourdough starter. It’s traditionally made with flour, sugar, and milk, which is left to ferment at room temperature over a few days. This fermentation process gives the bread its signature light, airy texture and mild sweetness.

The starter is often shared among friends, allowing others to continue the baking tradition. Some variations may also include yeast to help kickstart the fermentation process.

All of my Amish recipes are inspired by the classic friendship starter—this is my personal take on it as the method is not the exactly the same.

Why I love this recipe

• Flavors: The flavors are a perfect blend of tangy apple cider, warm cinnamon, and nutmeg, giving it that classic autumn taste that just feels cozy.

• Texture: The cake-like texture from the Amish starter makes each slice soft and tender, which is so satisfying.

• Donut feel: After it bakes, the outside is brushed with melted butter and a cinnamon-sugar mix, creating a slightly crisp, sugary crust that’s pure magic. It’s like having a donut in bread form, and every bite feels like a special treat.

What makes this recipe different? This recipe calls for a variation of an Amish friendship starter, using an already active sourdough starter. Instead of making a large batch of starter, the recipe makes just the amount it needs. However, if you’d like to double the recipe and share a cup of starter with a friend, feel free to do so!

Tips before baking Amish apple cider donut bread

• Apple cider: Reducing the apple cider will take about 15-20 minutes, depending on your heat level. Don’t skip this step—it concentrates the flavor, letting the apple cider truly shine in the bread. Start with 1 cup of apple cider and simmer until it reduces down to 1/2 cup, which you’ll then add to the batter for a rich, deep apple taste.

• Cinnamon-sugar topping: Brushing the bread with melted butter and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar is key to creating that donut vibe in this loaf. The buttery richness and crackly sugar crust perfectly capture the flavor and texture of an apple cider donut.

• Mixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, be careful not to overmix. Stir gently by hand until just combined to keep the bread tender and avoid a tough texture. A few small lumps are fine—overmixing can make the bread tough, so aim for a light hand here!

How to make Amish apple cider donut bread

Baker’s schedule: Mix the Amish starter the night before to bake for the following morning.

Ingredients

For the Amish friendship starter:

• 15 grams of active sourdough starter
• 15 grams of sugar
• 50 grams of milk
• 50 grams of all-purpose flour

For the Amish apple cider donut bread:

• 240 grams of apple cider
• 113 grams unsalted butter (melted)
• 8 grams vanilla extract
• 100 grams of Amish starter (from above)
• 60 grams of room-temperature Greek yogurt (or plain yogurt)
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 100 grams of brown sugar
• 50 grams of sugar
• 185 grams of all-purpose flour
• 15 grams of cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg

Cinnamon-sugar topping:

• 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter (melted)
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

Equipment

• Food scale & measuring cups/spoons
• Mixing bowls
• 1 8×4 inch loaf pan

Instructions

Make the Amish friendship starter:

• The evening before you make the bread mix the Amish starter ingredients (sourdough starter, milk, sugar, & flour) in a glass jar. Cover it loosely and allow it to rest overnight for 8-10 hours.

The following morning:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and grease your loaf pan.

• Add the apple cider to a saucepan over medium heat and boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until reduced by half (around 120 grams), about 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

• Combine the melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl, then beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

• Next, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until combined.

• Lastly, mix in the Amish friendship starter, yogurt, and apple cider using a whisk or silicone spatula until combined.

• In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

• Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir by hand. Be careful not to overmix here.

• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-53 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean in the center.

• Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 20 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

• Brush the tops and sides of the bread with melted butter, and liberally sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over them. Place parchment paper under the rack, as it can get a bit messy.

• Slice and serve the bread after it has cooled for at least 30-45 minutes.

• Amish Apple Cider Donut Bread will stay fresh for 3–4 days in an airtight container.

More sourdough dessert recipes

• Double Chocolate Amish Bread
• Amish Friendship Bread
• Sourdough Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
• Sourdough Donut Muffins (with pumpkin spice)