Forget Glazed Donuts We Want Apple Cider Donuts

There are various donut recipes floating around the blogosphere. Some of them feature puff dough, others resemble the consistency of brioche and we certainly have a number of these recipes on our site.

One recipe that we have yet to feature on the site uses apple cider to make the donuts. We have a recipe for apple cider waffles which I recommend you check out.

Other than that, I can’t recall the last time I saw a pastry, cake, or baked good that uses apple cider. Since apple season is in full effect from now until around Christmas, making these donuts could not come at a better time.

The donuts can be enjoyed with either some milk or perhaps a warm cup of cider, the choice is yours.

Ingredients

For the donuts

• 1½ cups gluten free flour blend
• 1 tsp xanthan gum
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup apple cider (to be reduced to ½ cup!)
• ¼ cup milk (almond milk works great!)
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla

For the cinnamon sugar topping

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, simmer one cup of apple cider (and if you have it available, a stick of cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg) over heat over medium heat for 15-20 minutes.
2. Let simmer to reduce the apple cider down to about ½ cup.
3. Carefully remove the cinnamon stick and let cool. Set aside.
4. Next, mix together all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and then add in all the wet ingredients until well combined.
5. Place mixture into a large plastic bag and cut the tip off of one corner to use as a pastry bag.
6. Grease a mini donut pan very well (or a mini muffin tin) and squeeze batter into each donut hole.
7. Bake at 350 for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Remove donuts from pan immediately and place into a bag with the cinnamon sugar topping (1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon)
9. Shake donuts until well coated.
10. Remove donuts and let cool on a wire rack.
11. Enjoy!

Recipe source: Smashed Peas and Carrots

Photo source: Smitten Kitchen