How to make Apple Cider Donuts
While I was researching and experimenting with different recipes for Baked Apple Cider Donuts I noticed that many of them didn’t have a lot of apple flavor. The key is that we need concentrated Apple Cider. When simmering apple cider it will caramelize the sugar and reduce the water content in the apple cider.
The first time I tried Baked Apple Cider donuts were from a farmers market in New York..they are very rich, soft, and smell so good. The key ingredients are apple, cinnamon, and apple spice. When you make fresh at home they taste like just came out of the bakery..
These are easy to make for a quick snack with only a few wet and dry ingredients plus apple cider concentrate. You do not need any special equipment like a stand mixer or donut cutter. Add the batter to a donut pan and bake.
Reduce Apple Cider
The secret to making the best apple cider donuts is to use concentrated apple cider as a flavoring. Apple cider that has been reduced on the stove is thick, caramelized, and flavorful, and it adds a lot of flavor without a lot of liquid.
Do not confuse apple cider with apple cider vinegar when buying. Look for apple cider juice in the refrigerated section rather than clear apple juice. It has a cloudy appearance, indicating that it was most likely pressed recently.
You can reduce the Apple Cider ahead of time, the night before. It must be cooled before adding to the batter.
Follow these steps to reduce Apple Cider:
- Add 2 cups apple cider into the pan and bring to simmer over medium-high heat.
- Then reduce heat to medium-low and put a timer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Continue to simmer for another 5 – 10 minutes until you have about 1/2 cup of thick cider left. It will take about 20 – 25 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and allow it to cool down.
If you have any leftover apple cider, use it on a pancake or crepes.
How to Prepare Toppings
- Put Melted butter in to a shallow pan
- In another bowl, whisk granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom.
- Brush or dip both sides of each donut in the melted butter, then toss in donuts to coat lightly.
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups fresh apple cider
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon grounded
- 1/4 tsp cardamom
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar or packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup milk at room temperature. Any milk (dairy or non-dairy) works with this recipe. Buttermilk is also ok.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
Topping
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp cardamom powder
- 6 tbsp melted butter unsalted
Instructions
- Add apple cider into a saucepan and heat over medium flame. Bring it to a boil and then simmer, stirring occasionally, until it reduces to about 1/2 cup. Depending on the temperature it could take from 20 – 25 minutes. keep it aside until it cools down.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) (190 degrees C). Grease two 6-cup doughnut pans with butter or non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Whisk all dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. Keep away until needed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined. Pour the reduced apple cider and then add dry ingredients. Whisk together to make a little thick batter. Do not overmix the ingredients.
- To make it easier, use a large Ziploc bag to pipe the batter into the prepared doughnut pans, filling them about ¾ th. Add the batter into a large Ziploc bag and cut a corner off the bottom of the bag and pipe the batter halfway into each doughnut cup.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned and the donuts bounce back slightly when touched. Allow cooling in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- Optional: In a shallow dish, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. While the donut is still warm, brush or dip both sides of each donut in the melted butter, then toss in donuts to coat lightly.
Notes
- If you don’t have the special donut pan you can use a standard 12-cup muffin pan. Just grease the pan or use muffin liners, fill each hole with 3/4 full of batter. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center come out clean.
- If you don’t have nutmeg and cardamom powder you can replace it with apple pie spice. Simply replace nutmeg and cardamom with 1/2 tsp apple pie spice.
- You can freeze any leftover donuts for up to 3 months. When you want to use it, just thaw it in the refrigerator and warm up in the microwave.
