Homemade baked doughnuts, the perfect family tradition for your holidays
Have you ever heard people rave over a food and you think, is it really that good? Well, this was me over apple cider doughnuts. I just did not think that a baked doughnut could be *that* good, but boy was I wrong. And not to toot my own horn, but I MADE them (whoop whoop)
Now, I was really not expecting to fall in love with these. again baked doughnuts aren't anything I gravitate toward, but these are soft and flavorful. Like fall smacked you in the face in the best way. And then topping them with this maple, apple cider glaze or cinnamon sugar was just perfection.
"If baking is any labor at all, it's a labor of love. A love that gets passed from generation to generation." — Regina Brett
The secret to getting a great doughnut has got to be the batter and a deep doughnut mold. I used El's Kitchen doughnut molds which were perfect. I loved that they are non stick and silicone, making them super easy to pop out after baking.
Of course, the batter has got to be the best part. It was thick and indulgent. Sturdy while also being moist and, again packed full of flavor. I used a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. You can get the same effect from apple pie spice but this trifecta really brings out the fall/winter vibes.
The recipe itself is very easy and straightforward. However you are going to want to make the apple cider syrup ahead of time. Maybe even double the recipe so have some on hand. It's so delicious, you'll thank me later.
The syrup is made by simple mixing apple cider (make sure you get the good stuff. fresh pressed is best) and brown sugar. Add to a sauce pan and reduce on medium heat for about 15 minutes or till it has thickened and reduced to half. let it set to room temp and then you can add to the batter.
Okay truly that is the hardest part and it's something you can do and walk away from. so lets get to it.
Apple Cider Doughnuts
Apple Cider Syrup:
1 c fresh pressed apple cider
1/4 c brown sugar
pinch of salt
add everything to a medium sauce pan and cook over medium heat. Stir well and then let reduce to half. Remove from heat and allow to come to room temp before using.
Doughnut recipe:
1/2 c apple cider syrup
1/4 c apple cider
2 TBSP butter, melted
2 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
1/2 c brown sugar
2 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 ginger
1/2 tsp salt
Preheat oven to 350 f (180 c) Start by creaming together the butter, sugar and apple cider syrup. Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix well to combine. In a separate bowl mix together all the dry ingredients. Add half of the dry ingredients to the sugar mixture. using a rubber spatula mix it in. Then add in the apple cider, mix and add the remaining flour mixture. Mix till just combine. Add your doughnut batter to a piping bag or a gallon size bag and pipe into doughnut pan. Bake at 350 f (180 c) for 15 minutes.
While your doughnuts bake make the glaze and cinnamon sugar mixtures.
Glaze:
8 TBSP powdered sugar
2 tsp apple cider
1 TBSP maple syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
add all ingredients to a bowl and mix well
Cinnamon sugar:
3 TBSP granulated sugar
3 TBSP brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
combine and mix all together
After the doughnuts are done baking allow half to cool to room temp. Once they cool you can dunk in the glaze.
The other half allow to cool for 10 minutes, take out of the mold and toss in the sugar mixture. Enjoy