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Cozy Baked Apple Cider Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar

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Soft, tender baked donuts with concentrated apple cider flavor and a crunchy cinnamon-sugar coating. Perfect for fall mornings, these come together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup apple cider (reduced to about ¼ cup concentrate)
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
  • ½ cup buttermilk (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted, for coating)

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 cup apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until reduced to about ¼ cup (12-15 minutes). Set aside to cool.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard 6-cavity donut pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and egg until smooth and slightly thickened (about 1 minute). Add melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and cooled reduced apple cider. Whisk until fully combined.
  5. Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined (10-12 strokes). Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine.
  6. Transfer batter to a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe batter into donut cavities, filling each about ⅔ full.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until donuts spring back when lightly touched and edges are golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the thickest part should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Let donuts cool in the pan for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. While still warm, brush each donut with melted butter, then immediately dip into the cinnamon-sugar mixture (½ cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon cinnamon). Press gently to coat. Repeat with all donuts.

Notes

Don’t skip reducing the cider—it concentrates the apple flavor. Room temperature ingredients are important to prevent lumps. Overmixing will make tough donuts. For best texture, coat and eat the same day. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

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

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