Baked Apple Cider Donuts

$- 1 ½ cups apple cider - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg - ½ teaspoon salt - ½ cup packed brown sugar - ½ cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - ½ cup unsweetened applesauce - ¼ cup melted unsalted butter - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ½ cup cinnamon sugar (for coating) Each ingredient plays a key role in making these baked apple cider donuts a delight. Apple cider adds a sweet and tangy flavor that reminds me of fall. The all-purpose flour gives the donuts structure, while the baking powder and baking soda ensure they rise well. Ground cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth and spice to the mix. Brown sugar adds moisture and a rich flavor, while granulated sugar balances the sweetness. Eggs help bind everything together, and unsweetened applesauce keeps the donuts moist. The melted butter adds richness, and vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor. Finally, cinnamon sugar coats the donuts for a sweet and crunchy finish. Using fresh, high-quality apple cider makes a noticeable difference. It's best to avoid cider with added sugars or preservatives. You want pure apple flavor to shine through. When you gather these ingredients, you set the stage for a perfect fall treat. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your donut pan with cooking spray. You can also use softened butter. This step helps the donuts come out easily after baking. Pour 1 ½ cups of apple cider into a medium saucepan. Bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Then, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. You want it to reduce in volume to about ¾ cup. This should take 10 to 15 minutes. After that, remove it from heat and let it cool slightly. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Whisk these until they're even. In another bowl, whisk together ½ cup of packed brown sugar, ½ cup of granulated sugar, and 2 large eggs until smooth. Add ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce, ¼ cup of melted unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and the cooled apple cider. Mix everything well. Now, pour the wet mix into the dry mix. Gently fold them together with a spatula. Don’t overmix; this keeps the donuts light. Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag. Cut off a small corner. Pipe the batter into each cavity of the greased donut pan, filling them about ¾ full. This allows room for the donuts to rise. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. They are done when they spring back when touched lightly. A toothpick should come out clean when inserted in the center. Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. After that, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they are cool, toss each donut in ½ cup of cinnamon sugar. Make sure they are well coated for that sweet and spicy finish. Enjoy your delicious fall treat! To get soft and fluffy donuts, mix the batter gently. When you combine wet and dry ingredients, use a spatula. Fold them together until just combined. If you overmix, the donuts may turn out tough. You want a light texture, so be careful. Adding spices can make your donuts even better. Try a pinch of ground ginger for warmth. A little allspice can add depth. You can also mix in some lemon zest for a fresh twist. These small tweaks can boost the flavor profile. Greasing the donut pan is key. Use cooking spray or softened butter for easy release. After baking, let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack. Clean the pan with warm soapy water to keep it in good shape. {{image_4}} You can add a sweet glaze to your donuts. To make the glaze, mix powdered sugar with apple cider. Start with 1 cup of powdered sugar and add 2-3 tablespoons of apple cider. Stir until smooth. Dip each cooled donut into the glaze, letting any extra drip off. This glaze adds a nice shine and extra sweetness. If you want vegan donuts, replace eggs with flax eggs. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken. For gluten-free donuts, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture stays light and fluffy, just like the original. Stuffing donuts can make them even more fun! Consider using cream cheese filling or apple pie filling. To fill, use a piping bag. Insert the tip into the donut and squeeze gently to add your chosen filling. You can also try jam or chocolate ganache for a delightful surprise. To keep your baked apple cider donuts fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps lock in moisture and keeps them soft. Place a paper towel at the bottom of the container to absorb extra moisture. Store them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, the fridge is not the best place as it can dry them out. You can freeze your donuts for later enjoyment. If they are uncoated, let them cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour. Once they are firm, transfer them to a freezer bag. Squeeze out the air and seal tightly. You can freeze coated donuts too, but they might lose some of their crunch. They will stay good for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy frozen donuts, let them thaw in the fridge overnight. For a warm treat, you can reheat them in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the donuts on a baking sheet and heat for about 5 to 8 minutes. This keeps them soft and brings back that fresh-baked taste. You can also use a microwave for quick reheating, but they may become a bit chewy. Enjoy your delicious donuts warm! Yes, you can use store-bought apple cider. Look for fresh, unfiltered cider for the best taste. You can also try spiced cider for extra flavor. Both options work well in this recipe. If you have homemade cider, that's even better! To check if the donuts are done, lightly touch the top. They should spring back. You can also insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the donuts are ready. Keep an eye on them; they usually bake for 12-15 minutes. These donuts are great on their own. You can serve them with caramel sauce for dipping. A cream cheese drizzle adds a nice touch too. Arrange them on a pretty plate and sprinkle more cinnamon sugar on top. Enjoy them with hot cider or coffee! In this blog post, we covered a delightful apple cider donut recipe, including ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. I shared how to prepare the dough, achieve the perfect texture, and explore tasty variations. Remember, small changes can lead to big flavors. Whether you bake for yourself or share with others, homemade donuts bring joy. Store them well, and enjoy fresh flavors over time. Dive into baking these treats and make great memories in the kitchen!$

Delight in the flavors of fall with these homemade Baked Apple Cider Donuts! Soft, sweet, and coated in cinnamon sugar, these treats are perfect for any occasion. Discover how easy it is to bake a dozen delicious donuts using simple ingredients like apple cider and spices. Ready to impress your family and friends? Click to explore the full recipe and enjoy a cozy treat that everyone will love!

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Ingredients

1 ½ cups apple cider

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup packed brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

¼ cup melted unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup cinnamon sugar (for coating)

Instructions

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a donut pan with cooking spray or soften butter to ensure your donuts release easily after baking.

In a medium saucepan, pour in the apple cider and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, allowing it to simmer until the volume reduces to about ¾ cup, which should take roughly 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Whisk together until evenly mixed.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and eggs until smooth. Then, add the unsweetened applesauce, melted butter, vanilla extract, and the now-cooled reduced apple cider. Mix everything together until well combined.

Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold together until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a light texture.

For easy filling, transfer the batter to a piping bag or a sturdy zip-top bag, cutting off a small corner. Pipe the batter into each cavity of the greased donut pan, filling them about ¾ full to allow for rising during baking.

Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. The donuts are ready when they spring back when lightly touched, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

After baking, allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once the donuts are fully cooled, generously toss each one in cinnamon sugar, ensuring they are well coated for that sweet, spicy finish.

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Servings: 12 donuts

- Presentation Tip: Arrange the finished donuts on a decorative platter and sprinkle with additional cinnamon sugar for an inviting display. You can also serve them with a side of caramel or cream cheese drizzle for a decadent touch!