The Best Apple Cider Donuts in New England
A warm cider donut is one of the small, reliable pleasures of a New England fall. Nearly every farm stand makes them, but a handful are worth planning a drive around.
These are the ones we’d point a friend toward, organized by state, with what sets each one apart and what to know before you go. Farm stand hours shift with the season and the weather, so it’s always worth checking the farm’s website before you head out.
The farms
Cider donuts, state by state
Filter by state, and mark the farms you’ve visited to keep your own list for the season.
Mark the farms you’ve been to.
MassachusettsMA
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Donuts since 1986
Cider Hill Farm
Amesbury, MA
Our first recommendation. The farm sold its first cider donut in 1986, and they’re still the reason many people stop in. Pick up a jug of their cider for the drive home.
Good to know: Open daily 8 to 6 in season.
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Farm kitchen recipe
Russell Orchards
Ipswich, MA
The recipe was developed in the farm’s own kitchen, and the donuts are made throughout the day with cider pressed in their mill. They contain no dairy or nuts, which is useful to know if you’re buying for a group.
Good to know: Seasonal, usually opening in May.
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Since 1972
Atkins Farms Country Market
South Amherst, MA
The Atkins family has grown apples here since 1887 and began making cider donuts in 1972, with the farm’s own cider in the batter. A good stop if you’re in the Pioneer Valley.
Good to know: Check hours before you go.
New HampshireNH
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Four generations
Applecrest Farm Orchards
Hampton Falls, NH
New Hampshire’s oldest and largest apple orchard, run by the Wagner family. Hot cider donuts are made on fall weekends and are usually in the farm market during the week. John Irving worked here as a young man.
Good to know: Farm market open daily 8 to 6.
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Since the ’70s
Meadow Ledge Farm
Loudon, NH
This farm stand has been making cider donuts since the 1970s and is a longtime favorite in the Concord area. They also run tractor rides, which makes it an easy outing with children.
Good to know: Hours change with the season, so check first.
VermontVT
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Watch them made
Cold Hollow Cider Mill
Waterbury Center, VT
Donuts are made daily on old-fashioned donut machines you can watch through the window. The same family has run the mill since 1974.
Good to know: Open year round, 8 to 6.
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Family run since 1967
Hackett’s Orchard
South Hero, VT
An orchard in the Lake Champlain islands that presses its own cider and sells the donuts hot. Many Vermonters consider them the best in the state.
Good to know: Salesroom open daily 9 to 5 in season.
MaineME
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Since 1803
Ricker Hill Orchards
Turner, ME
The same family has grown apples here for nine generations. Cider donuts are made daily, and there’s a maple version worth trying alongside the classic.
Good to know: Open March through December.
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12,000 dozen a year
Thompson’s Orchard
New Gloucester, ME
Cider is pressed on site every week, and the bakery makes more than 12,000 dozen donuts a year. An easy drive from Portland.
Good to know: Open through Christmas Eve.
ConnecticutCT
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Steam powered since 1881
B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill
Old Mystic, CT
The last steam-powered cider mill in the country. The donuts are the classic style, soft and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Visit on an October or November weekend to see the press running.
Good to know: Open September through December.
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10 generations
Lyman Orchards
Middlefield, CT
Cider donuts come out of the bakery all day at the Apple Barrel farm market, which is open year round. The orchard also hosts a cider donut festival at the end of each summer.
Good to know: Apple Barrel open year round.
Rhode IslandRI
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Since 1899
Jaswell’s Farm
Smithfield, RI
Along with classic cider donuts, they serve iced cider topped with a whole donut and a cider donut ice cream sandwich.
Good to know: Closed Tuesdays. Donuts into late December.
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A Rhode Island first
Pippin Orchard
Cranston, RI
Rhode Island Monthly credits Pippin as the first place in the state to make cider donuts. A good stop if you’re near Providence.
Good to know: Donut season can end in November, so call ahead.
What makes a cider donut
A cider donut is a cake donut with apple cider right in the batter, usually with a little cinnamon and nutmeg, then rolled in cinnamon sugar while it’s still warm. A lot of bakers boil the cider down first so the apple flavor really comes through. The good ones are crisp on the outside, tender in the middle, and taste like apples, not just sugar.
They feel old, but adding cider straight to the batter only caught on in the 1950s. The best ones are still made the same simple way: fried in small batches through the day and sold warm.
Planning a cider donut trip
- Go in the morning
Donuts are made in batches through the day, but the morning ones are the freshest, and on October weekends the lines grow as the morning goes on.
- Pair nearby farms
Several of these make easy pairs. Cider Hill and Russell Orchards are both on the North Shore, and Cold Hollow sits right on the way to Stowe.
- Make it an apple day
Most of these farms offer apple picking too. Our New England apple guide covers which varieties to pick for eating, baking and pie.
- Bring a sturdy bag
A gallon of cider, a bag of donuts and a peck of apples add up. Our market tote holds all of it.
Storing and reheating
Cider donuts are best the day they’re made. Kept in a sealed bag at room temperature, they’ll last a few days, and Cold Hollow Cider Mill says up to five. For longer, freeze them in a zip-top bag.
To bring them back, warm them in a 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes. Skip the microwave, which makes them tough as they cool. Day-old donuts are also very good split and toasted in a buttered skillet, or cubed into bread pudding.
If the apples come home with you too, our classic apple pie is a good place for them.
Cider donut questions
Where are the best apple cider donuts in New England?
Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury, Massachusetts is our first pick. Other favorites are Russell Orchards (MA), Applecrest Farm (NH), Cold Hollow Cider Mill (VT), Thompson’s Orchard (ME), Clyde’s Cider Mill (CT) and Jaswell’s Farm (RI).
What is an apple cider donut?
A cake donut with apple cider in the batter, usually spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Many bakers boil the cider down first so the apple flavor comes through stronger.
When is cider donut season in New England?
September and October are peak season, and lots of farm stands keep making them into November or December. A few, like Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Vermont and the Apple Barrel at Lyman Orchards in Connecticut, are open year round.
Where can I watch cider donuts being made?
Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center, Vermont has donut machines you can watch from the window. At Clyde’s Cider Mill in Connecticut you can see the steam-powered cider press running on fall weekends.
How long do cider donuts stay fresh?
They’re best the day you buy them. Cold Hollow Cider Mill says they keep in a sealed bag at room temperature for up to 5 days, or you can freeze them.
How do you reheat cider donuts?
Warm them in a 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes. It brings back that just-fried softness without drying them out.
What can I do with leftover cider donuts?
Day-old cider donuts make very good bread pudding. You can also split and toast them in a buttered skillet, or crumble them over vanilla ice cream or baked apples.
Which New England cider mill is the oldest?
B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill in Old Mystic, Connecticut has sold cider since 1881 and is the only steam-powered cider mill still running in the country.
Keep the season going
Berry & Blue
