How to Make the Perfect Brown Butter Apple Cider Donuts
American · Medium · 32 min · 12 servings
These baked apple cider donuts are infused with reduced apple cider and rolled in a fragrant cinnamon sugar coating. It is a cozy fall treat that captures the essence of a crisp autumn orchard visit right in your own kitchen.
Why this recipe works
This Brown Butter Apple Cider Donuts recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 32 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 220 calories with 3g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cups fresh apple cider reduced to half cup
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter browned
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon divided
- 1 large egg at room temperature
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Reduce the Cider and Brown the Butter
Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until reduced to approximately half a cup of concentrated cider. In a separate pan melt the butter over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Set both aside to cool slightly.
Step 2: Mix the Donut Batter
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a standard donut pan thoroughly. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, half a cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Add the reduced cider, browned butter, and egg and stir until just combined without over mixing.
Step 3: Pipe and Bake
Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip lock bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into each donut cavity filling it about two thirds full. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the donuts spring back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 4: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
While the donuts are still warm mix together the remaining quarter cup of sugar with the remaining teaspoon of cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Brush each warm donut with a little melted butter and immediately roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated on all sides. Serve warm.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- all purpose flour → a 1 to 1 gluten free flour blend
- unsalted butter → vegan butter or refined coconut oil
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not reducing the apple cider enough which dilutes the flavor and makes the donuts too wet and dense
- Over mixing the batter which develops gluten and results in tough chewy donuts instead of tender ones
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 220 calories, 3g protein, 38g carbs, 8g fat, 1g fiber.
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