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To make easy baked apple cider donuts, you will need the following ingredients: - 1 cup fresh apple cider - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg - ½ teaspoon fine salt - ¾ cup granulated sugar - 1 large egg, at room temperature - ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil - ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract - ¼ cup powdered sugar (for dusting, optional) Each ingredient plays a key role in creating a soft, flavorful donut. The apple cider adds sweetness and a hint of tang. The spices bring warmth and depth. The egg and applesauce keep the donuts moist. Use fresh cider for the best taste! For the detailed steps to create these delicious treats, check out the Full Recipe. Enjoy your baking! 1. Preheat the oven and grease the donut pan First, set your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the perfect temp for baking donuts. Grease your donut pan with non-stick spray or butter. This helps the donuts pop out easily after baking. 2. Simmer the apple cider Pour 1 cup of fresh apple cider into a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat. Let it come to a gentle boil. Then, lower the heat and simmer uncovered. This reduces the cider to about ½ cup in 10-15 minutes. Remove it from heat and let it cool a bit. 3. Mix dry ingredients In a medium bowl, mix 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon of fine salt. Whisk these ingredients together well. This step is key for fluffy donuts. 4. Prepare wet ingredients In a larger bowl, whisk together ¾ cup of granulated sugar and 1 large egg. Make sure this mixture is smooth and creamy. This adds sweetness and a nice texture to your donuts. 5. Combine dry and wet mixtures Add the cooled apple cider, ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to the sugar and egg mixture. Stir until it is uniform and creamy. 6. Fill the donut pan Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag. Cut off a small corner of the bag. Pipe the batter into each donut cavity, filling them about 2/3 full. This gives them room to rise. 7. Bake the donuts Place your filled donut pan in the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, they are ready! Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack. 8. Finish with optional sugar Once the donuts are cool, you can sprinkle them with powdered sugar. This adds a sweet finish and makes them look great. For more details, check the Full Recipe. 1. Ensuring proper oven temperature Always preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). A well-heated oven helps your donuts rise. Use an oven thermometer for accuracy. 2. Avoiding overmixing the batter Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can make your donuts dense. Gently fold the batter with a spatula for the best texture. 3. How to pipe the batter easily Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner cut off. This method makes it simple to fill the donut pan without making a mess. Fill each cavity about two-thirds full for even baking. - Presentation ideas for serving Place your donuts on a nice plate or a cake stand. Adding fresh apple slices next to the donuts makes for a lovely display. - Homemade caramel sauce drizzle Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the donuts for a sweet touch. It adds flavor and makes them look fancy. - Pairing with beverages These donuts pair perfectly with apple cider or a warm cup of coffee. The flavors complement each other well, making for a cozy treat. For a full recipe of these Easy Baked Apple Cider Donuts, check out the complete instructions above. {{image_4}} You can easily switch up the taste of your baked apple cider donuts. Here are a few fun ideas: - Adding nuts or chocolate chips: Chopped walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch. If you love chocolate, mix in some mini chocolate chips. This gives a sweet touch and a rich flavor. - Using different spices like ginger: Try adding ground ginger or allspice for a warm twist. These spices pair well with apple cider, making your donuts even tastier. Making your donuts fit a special diet is simple. Here are two easy swaps: - Gluten-free alternatives: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. This way, everyone can enjoy your donuts without worry. - Vegan modifications: Replace the egg with a flaxseed egg or applesauce. Use a plant-based milk instead of regular milk to keep it vegan-friendly. These variations make your easy baked apple cider donuts fun and suitable for everyone. Check the Full Recipe for more details on how to make them! To keep your baked apple cider donuts fresh, store them in an airtight container. This prevents them from drying out. If you have a lot of donuts, use a deep container to avoid crushing them. You can also layer them with parchment paper for extra protection. Avoid keeping them in direct sunlight or near heat sources. At room temperature, these donuts last about 2 to 3 days. After that, they may become stale. If you want to save some for later, freezing is a great option. Wrap each donut in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, let them thaw at room temperature or heat them in the oven for a few minutes. For the full recipe, check out the details above. Enjoy your delicious donuts! Can I use store-bought apple cider? Yes, using store-bought apple cider works well. It saves time and effort. Just make sure it’s fresh for the best taste. If you want, you can also spice it up by adding a pinch of cinnamon. What if I don't have a donut pan? If you don’t have a donut pan, don’t worry! You can use a muffin tin instead. Just fill each cup about halfway. The donuts will be more like apple cider muffins, but they’ll still taste amazing. Can these be made ahead of time? Absolutely! You can make these donuts a day ahead. Just store them in an airtight container. For extra softness, warm them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving. How do I know when the donuts are done baking? To check if the donuts are done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, they are ready. If there’s batter on the toothpick, give them a few more minutes in the oven. You now have a clear recipe for delicious apple cider donuts. We covered all the essential ingredients and steps to make them. Plus, I shared tips for perfect baking and fun serving ideas. Remember, you can mix things up with different flavors and dietary options. These donuts are simple to store and can last a while if kept right. Enjoy your baking and savor those warm, sweet treats.

Easy Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Indulge in a fall favorite with these delightful baked apple cider donuts! Made with fresh apple cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg, they're perfect for sharing or savoring yourself. This easy recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, ensuring a sweet treat whenever you crave it. Click through for the full recipe and discover how to make these delicious donuts that will impress your family and friends!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup fresh apple cider

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon fine salt

¾ cup granulated sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

¼ cup powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)

Instructions
 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with non-stick spray or butter to ensure easy release.

    Simmer the Cider: In a small saucepan, pour in the apple cider and heat over medium flame. Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered until the liquid is reduced to about ½ cup. This should take approximately 10-15 minutes. Once reduced, remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.

      Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and fine salt. Whisk these together until evenly distributed; this helps ensure the donuts rise properly.

        Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a larger mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and room temperature egg until smooth and well combined, creating a light and fluffy mixture.

          Combine Mixtures: Add the cooled, reduced apple cider, unsweetened applesauce, vegetable oil, and pure vanilla extract to the sugar and egg mixture. Stir until the mixture is uniform and creamy.

            Combine Dry & Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to gently fold them together. Mix just until combined; be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense donuts.

              Fill the Donut Pan: Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner trimmed off. Pipe the batter into each cavity of the donut pan, filling them about 2/3 full to allow room for rising.

                Bake the Donuts: Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

                  Finish with Sugar: Once the donuts are cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar for an optional sweet touch.

                    Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 12 donuts

                      - Presentation Tips: For an attractive display, arrange the donuts on a beautiful serving plate. Consider drizzling with a homemade caramel sauce for an indulgent flair, and add fresh apple slices on the side for a refreshing contrast.