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Baked Apple Cider Donuts With Cinnamon Sugar

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These baked apple cider donuts with cinnamon sugar are tender, cake-like, and packed with concentrated apple flavor. A quick and easy fall treat that fills your kitchen with the scent of autumn.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered, cloudy)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup reduced apple cider (from reduction step)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (for dipping)

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 2 cups of fresh apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 1/2 cup (15-20 minutes). Let cool completely.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a standard 6-cavity donut pan with non-stick spray or melted butter.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and cooled reduced apple cider until smooth.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined (a few lumps are fine; do not overmix).
  6. Transfer batter to a piping bag or Ziploc bag with corner snipped off. Pipe batter into prepared donut cavities, filling each about 2/3 full.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the thickest part comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 2-3 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack. Cool for another 2-3 minutes until warm but handleable.
  8. In a shallow bowl, mix together 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Place 1/4 cup melted butter in another small bowl.
  9. Working one at a time, brush each warm donut all over with melted butter, then immediately roll in cinnamon sugar mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
  10. Serve warm or at room temperature. Best enjoyed the day they are made.

Notes

Do not skip the cider reduction—it concentrates the apple flavor and prevents a watery batter. Room temperature ingredients are crucial for a smooth batter. Coat donuts while still warm for best cinnamon sugar adhesion. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add an extra tablespoon of buttermilk. For vegan, use a flax egg, melted coconut oil or vegan butter, and almond milk with vinegar.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked apple cider donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, fall baking, apple cider recipe, baked donuts, easy donut recipe

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/baked-apple-cider-donuts-with-cinnamon-sugar/