Ingredients
1 1/2 cups apple cider
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg, at room temperature
1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup milk, at room temperature*
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Topping
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon apple pie spice
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over low heat add the apple cider. Stirring occasionally, simmer the cider until it reduces to about 1/2 cup. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray donut pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt together. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, add the reduced apple cider, and whisk everything together until smooth and combined. Batter will be slightly thick.
- Spoon the batter into the donut cavities—for ease, pour batter into a large zipped-top bag. Cut a corner off the bottom of the bag and pipe the batter into each donut cup, filling about halfway.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes or until the edges and tops are lightly browned. To test, poke your finger into the top of the donut. If the donut bounces back, they’re done. Cool donuts for 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Re-grease the pan and bake the remaining donut batter.
- For apple spice topping – In a medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice. Once cool enough to handle, dunk both sides of each donut in the melted butter, then generously in the topping.
- Donuts are best served immediately. Leftovers keep well covered tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
ENJOY!
Recipe from the forthcoming Kitchen Ink book Recipe Road Trip, Cooking Your Way Across the USA on Sale Summer 2023.