Apple Cider Donuts

Apple Cider donuts coated in cinnamon sugar taste cozy and comforting. These are baked and easy to make at home. If you don't have a donut pan, make them in your muffin tin.

Donut batter:

• 1 ½ cups apple cider

• 2 Tablespoons (30 g) butter

• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar

• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar

• 1 egg

• ½ cup milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups (250 g) all purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ¾ teaspoon baking powder

• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ¼ teaspoon salt (only if your butter is unsalted)

Topping:

• 4 Tablespoons butter

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

apple cider donut batter

apple cider donut topping

1. Boil the apple cider in a pot until it is reduced to 1/2 cup. This takes 20 to 30 minutes. Let it cool.

2. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Prep your donut pan (or muffin tin) with non-stick cooking spray, or vegetable oil.

3. Melt butter in the microwave. Whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add egg and whisk thoroughly.

4. Slowly add milk, a little at a time, whisking in each addition. Add vanilla extract and cider and whisk.

5. Add all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices (and salt if you're using it) and whisk into liquid just until combined.

6. Spoon the donut batter into prepared pan.  Bake for about 10 minutes (muffins will need longer - start checking them at 15 minutes).  Donuts should be lightly browned on top and springy to the touch.

7. While the donuts are baking, prep the toppings. Melt butter in one bowl. Mix sugar and cinnamon together in a second bowl.

8. When the donuts come out of the oven, turn them onto a wire rack. As soon as they are cool enough to handle, dip the tops into the butter, then the cinnamon sugar, then turn them right side up onto a wire rack.

9. These are best when they're still warm so eat a few right away! Let the leftovers cool completely and store in an air tight container.

NOTES:

This makes about 15 donuts with the size donut pan I have. Let the pan cool a few minutes while you top the baked donuts, then bake a second bath with the remaining batter.

You can make the boiled cider ahead of time and can even freeze it for later use.