Baked Apple Cider Donuts

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Description

All the world’s great donuts are fried, except there are a few rare examples of when they’re not–and this incredibly delicious and easy-to-make apple cider donut is one notable exception. Since we’re not going to fry these, not only are they easier, but they’re way less messy. Less time cleaning up means more time eating donuts.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh apple cider
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground cardamom
  • 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup warm milk
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided
  • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup white sugar, or as needed
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, or as needed

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Butter two 6-cup donut pans.
  2. Pour apple cider into a saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and let it cook
  3. watching carefully
  4. until the cider is reduced to 1/2 cup. If it reduces too much
  5. add enough water to make 1/2 cup. Set aside until needed.
  6. Add flour
  7. baking powder
  8. baking soda
  9. salt
  10. 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  11. cardamom
  12. and nutmeg to a large bowl. Mix with a whisk until combined and set aside until needed.
  13. Whisk 1/2 cup white sugar
  14. brown sugar
  15. milk
  16. 2 tablespoons melted butter
  17. vanilla extract
  18. and egg together in another bowl until combined. Add the apple cider reduction and the dry ingredients. Whisk together to form a slightly thick batter; do not overmix.
  19. Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pans
  20. filling them about 3/4 of the way up.
  21. Bake in the center of the preheated oven until the tops are lightly browned
  22. and the donuts spring back slightly to the touch
  23. 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pans before removing to a sheet pan lined with a silicone baking mat. Cut out any donut holes as necessary.
  24. If desired
  25. while still slightly warm
  26. brush the donuts lightly with remaining melted butter. Mix 1 cup white sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon together for topping in a shallow dish; toss in donuts to coat. Let cool completely before serving.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Servings: 12

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