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Crispy Baked Honeycrisp Apple Cider Donuts

crispy baked honeycrisp apple cider donuts - featured image
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A tribute to a lost roadside stand, these baked donuts feature a shatteringly crisp exterior and soft, tender interior with intense apple cider flavor, made without frying.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups apple cider (100% juice)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (optional)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk or buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 Honeycrisp apple (diced)
  • 1/4 cup melted butter (for dipping)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. Pour 2 cups of apple cider into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer until reduced by half (about 1 cup of syrup). This takes 20-30 minutes. Let cool completely.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugars together using an electric mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  5. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
  6. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the cooled apple cider reduction to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Mix on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Gently fold in the diced Honeycrisp apples.
  8. Scoop batter onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between each donut.
  9. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  10. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes.
  11. Melt the 1/4 cup butter for dipping. Dip the top of each warm donut into the butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly.
  12. Serve warm.

Notes

Ensure the apple cider reduction is syrupy but not caramelized. Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough donuts. Use room temperature eggs for better emulsification. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil and milk with almond milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider donuts, baked donuts, honeycrisp apple, fall recipe, autumn baking, crispy donuts, easy donut recipe

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/crispy-baked-honeycrisp-apple-cider-donuts-5-easy-steps/