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Perfect Apple Cider Donut Bites: Easy Homemade Recipe

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These soft, tender apple cider donut bites are bursting with real apple cider flavor and coated in a generous layer of cinnamon sugar. They are quick, easy, and the perfect fall treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) apple cider
  • 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter, melted (for coating)
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a steady simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about ¼ cup (12-15 minutes). Set aside to cool.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin with butter or non-stick baking spray.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. Mix wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the cooled reduced apple cider, egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, and buttermilk until smooth.
  5. Combine batter: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined (a few lumps are fine). Do not overmix.
  6. Fill muffin cups: Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop or small spoon, divide batter evenly among the 24 prepared mini muffin cups, filling each almost to the top.
  7. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until tops spring back when touched and a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool in pan for exactly 2 minutes, then gently loosen and transfer to a cooling rack.
  9. Prepare coating: In a shallow bowl, melt 6 tablespoons butter. In another shallow bowl, whisk together ¾ cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon.
  10. While still warm, dip each donut bite into melted butter, turning to coat all sides. Let excess drip off, then roll in cinnamon sugar until generously coated. Place on a clean plate or rack.

Notes

Do not skip greasing the pan. The 2-minute cooling time in the pan is crucial. Coat while warm for best sugar adhesion. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider donut bites, cinnamon sugar donut holes, fall dessert, easy donut recipe, mini donuts

Find it online: https://cookyep.com/perfect-apple-cider-donut-bites-easy-homemade-recipe/