Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts

 This recipe produces the classic taste of baked cider donuts. For the most traditional result, a donut pan is recommended, but you can also bake them in a muffin pan.

Ingredients

Yield: 12 donuts or muffins

Non-stick spray oil

1¾ cup/225 grams all-purpose flour

1¼ teaspoon baking powder

¾ teaspoon fine sea salt

two teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 

1 cup/225 grams unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature

¾ cup/165 grams light brown sugar

¾ cup/150 grams granulated sugar

two large eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup/120 milliliters apple cider

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 2 (6-cavity) donut pans (or a 12-cup muffin pan) with nonstick spray. In a medium bowl, add flour, baking powder, salt, 1 teaspoon each cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix to combine. Set aside.

Step 2

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 10 tablespoons/140 grams butter, brown sugar, and ¼ cup/50 grams granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time and mix until well incorporated after each addition, scraping the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla extract.

Step 3

Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until incorporated. With the mixer running, add the apple cider in a slow, steady stream and mix to combine. Scrape the bowl well to make sure the dough is homogeneous.

Step 4

Pour batter into prepared donut pans, filling about ⅔ of the way. (You can also do this with a disposable piping bag or resealable plastic bag with a ½-inch opening cut in one corner.) Bake until evenly browned and a toothpick inserted in center of thickest part comes out clean, 12 to 15 minutes. Rotate pans halfway through cooking. (If making muffins, divide batter evenly among prepared pans and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, rotating halfway through.)

step 5

While donuts are baking, mix remaining ½ cup/100 grams granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in small bowl to combine. In a separate small bowl, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter in the microwave. Let the donuts cool for 5 minutes after baking, then remove from pans, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar while still hot. Serve immediately or let cool to room temperature.

1.