Description
These Apple Cider Donuts are a delightful fall treat, featuring warm spices and the rich flavor of reduced apple cider. Baked to perfection, they are light, fluffy, and coated with a sweet cinnamon sugar topping, making them an irresistible seasonal snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided (1/2 cup + 1/2 cup)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
Other
- Cooking spray or vegetable oil for coating donut pan
Instructions
- Reduce Apple Cider: Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan and boil over medium-high heat until reduced to about 1/4 cup, approximately 10-15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix together the melted butter, 1/4 cup of the reduced apple cider, milk, egg, and remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Whisk until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
- Prepare Donut Pan: Lightly grease the donut pan with cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil.
- Fill Donut Cavities: Fill each donut cavity about two-thirds full with batter. Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner cut off for easier filling.
- Bake Donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Topping: While donuts bake, mix the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a shallow dish.
- Cool Donuts: Remove donuts from oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Coat Donuts: While still warm, dip each donut into the cinnamon sugar mixture, coating evenly on all sides.
Notes
- Reducing the apple cider intensifies its flavor and concentrates the sweetness.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep donuts light and fluffy.
- Using a piping bag makes it easier to fill the donut cavities evenly.
- For best texture, serve donuts warm.
- You can substitute whole milk with a milk alternative if desired.
