BAKED APPLE CIDER DONUTS
I overdosed on Krispy Kreme doughnuts over 10 years ago..
and swore I would never eat a doughnut again. Well things all changed when doughnuts became a huge craze a couple of years ago, and I fell back in love. This inspired Timmy to start making donuts, specifically boozy doughnuts. The problem was he always burned them even though the dough was soooo good, and then I tried and burned them as well. We didn't know how to fry doughnuts properly and eventually gave up!
Then we discovered donut pans which means you bake the donuts instead of frying ( which provides an option that is a little bit healthier ) and decided to give our dreams of making the perfect donut a reality again, and we did! These baked donuts are so delicious and taste like fall. Expect more donut recipes!
INGREDIENTS
Donuts:
3 cups apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
3 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons nutmeg
pinch salt
10 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 granulated sugar
2 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup apple butter
3/4 cup buttermilk
Topping:
1 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
Serving: 12-14 donuts
PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray donut pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Bring cinnamon sticks and apple cider to a boil in a large skillet over medium-high and cook until liquid is thick, syrupy, and reduced to about ⅓ cup, 20–30 minutes, set aside to cool.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, pinch of salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
In a separate large bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and sugar together until smooth. Add eggs,vanilla and apple butter and stir until combined. Pour in the buttermilk and apple cider syrup and mix until smooth. Stir in the flour mixture and mix.
Pour the batter into a Ziploc bag and snip off one corner ( note this could get really messy ). Pour batter into prepared pan about 3/4 to the top of each well. Bake for 14-15 minutes or until the tops are firm and spring back slightly when you touch them. Do not over bake or you will have dry donuts.
When done, remove donuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes then remove them carefully and place on a wire rack.
While the donuts are cooling, in a small bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar.
Dip donuts into the melted butter and then into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
These are best eaten same day, but will stay soft for up to 2 days stored in an airtight container.
Enjoy!