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Cozy Apple Cider Donut Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar

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These cozy apple cider donut muffins with cinnamon sugar capture the nostalgic flavor of classic apple cider donuts without the hassle of deep frying. Made with reduced apple cider for concentrated flavor and coated in a buttery cinnamon sugar crust, they’re tender, moist, and perfect for fall gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) apple cider
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (for batter)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
  • For the coating:
  • ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour apple cider into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about ⅓ cup (80 ml), roughly 12-15 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a 12-cup muffin pan with butter or non-stick spray.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, 1½ teaspoons cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and cooled reduced apple cider until smooth.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Fold gently with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until just combined. A few streaks of flour are okay; do not overmix.
  6. Divide batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
  7. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Rotate pan halfway through baking.
  8. While muffins bake, prepare coating: Melt ¼ cup butter in a small bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, combine ½ cup granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons cinnamon.
  9. Let muffins cool in pan for 2 minutes. Remove one muffin at a time, brush all over with melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated. Place on a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Repeat with remaining muffins. Stir cinnamon sugar mixture occasionally to keep it evenly blended.

Notes

Don’t let muffins cool too long before coating; aim for the 2-minute window for best sugar adhesion. For extra crunch, double coat by brushing with more butter and rolling in cinnamon sugar again after 5 minutes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider donut muffins, cinnamon sugar muffins, fall muffins, apple cider muffins, easy muffin recipe, baked donut muffins

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/cozy-apple-cider-donut-muffins-with-cinnamon-sugar/