Description
Warm autumn mornings welcome cinnamon-spiced baked apple cider donuts that capture New England’s charming harvest spirit. Fragrant spices and sweet apple notes dance through each tender bite, promising comfort and nostalgia for seasonal breakfast lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup apple cider (reduced to 1/2 cup)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Spices:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Reduce apple cider in a saucepan over medium heat until it becomes thick and syrupy, concentrating its robust flavor for approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Whisk together dry ingredients until completely smooth and free of lumps, ensuring an even distribution of spices and leavening agents.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base that will incorporate air and provide a tender crumb to the donuts.
- Gradually blend reduced apple cider and dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing until just combined to prevent overworking the batter.
- Carefully pipe or spoon batter into a well-greased donut pan, filling each cavity approximately three-quarters full for optimal rising.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 12-15 minutes, watching for a golden-brown exterior and a springy texture when lightly touched.
- Allow donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to prevent soggy bottoms.
- Prepare cinnamon-sugar coating by mixing ground cinnamon and granulated sugar in a shallow dish.
- While donuts are still warm, gently roll each one in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Serve immediately for maximum flavor and texture, or store in an airtight container for up to two days.
Notes
- Choose freshly pressed apple cider to enhance the rich, authentic flavor profile of the donuts.
- Gently fold diced apple pieces into the batter for unexpected bursts of fruity texture and added moisture.
- Serve donuts warm from the oven for maximum taste and softness, with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar.
- Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, gently reheating before serving to restore their delightful warmth.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 186
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 135 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg