Description
Tender, cake-style apple cider doughnuts bursting with warm apple flavors, perfectly spiced and coated in cinnamon-sugar. These fall favorites are baked, not fried, making them a lighter and easier treat to enjoy any time of the season.
Ingredients
Apple Cider Reduction
- 1 cup apple cider (reduce to ½ cup by simmering)
Doughnuts
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ cup buttermilk
Coating
- Cinnamon-sugar mix (typically ½ cup sugar mixed with 1 tbsp cinnamon)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a doughnut pan to ensure easy removal once baked.
- Reduce Apple Cider: Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until it reduces to about ½ cup, concentrating the flavor. Allow it to cool slightly before using.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the egg with the brown sugar until smooth, add the melted butter and buttermilk, then stir in the reduced apple cider.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix and gently fold until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the doughnuts tender.
- Fill the Doughnut Pan: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared doughnut pan cavities, filling about ¾ full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a doughnut comes out clean and the doughnuts have risen and browned slightly.
- Cool and Coat: Remove the doughnuts from the oven and allow them to cool slightly in the pan. While still warm, brush each doughnut lightly with melted butter, then roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mix to coat evenly.
Notes
- Add 1 teaspoon apple pie spice to the dry ingredients for an extra warm spice flavor.
- These doughnuts freeze well for up to 2 months; thaw before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
