Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups fresh apple cider (reduced to ½ cup)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Topping: ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted), ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Reduce the Apple Cider: In a small saucepan over medium heat, simmer the apple cider for about 10-15 minutes until it reduces to exactly ½ cup. Let it cool completely before using it in the batter. This step is crucial for an intense apple flavor.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease two 6-cavity donut pans with non-stick cooking spray or a little bit of melted butter to ensure the donuts release easily after baking.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Make sure there are no large lumps of flour or spices left in the mixture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well combined. Add the egg, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and your cooled, reduced apple cider. Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
- Mix the Batter: Gently pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to fold the mixture together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donuts tough and rubbery.
- Fill the Donut Pans: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pans, filling each cavity about ¾ of the way full. For a neater finish, you can transfer the batter to a piping bag or a large plastic zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
- Bake the Donuts: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the donuts are springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Add the Cinnamon Sugar Coating: While the donuts are still warm, melt the topping butter in a small bowl. In another bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon. Brush each donut lightly with melted butter, then toss it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian