Classic Apple Cider Donuts that are baked instead of fried. Buttery donuts with crisp apple cider flavor and warm apple pie spices. The perfect way to kick off fall baking.
Start by reducing one cup of apple cider to 1/2 a cup. Set aside to cool. Preheat oven to 350° and place oven rack in middle position. Spray donut pans with non stick cooking spray.
In medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and apple pie spice.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment to beat together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at time until well incorporated and add vanilla extract. Scrape down sides of bowl to make sure everything is evenly combined.
Add in flour mixture and mix just until combined, then stream in reduced apple cider. Transfer donut batter to gallon sized plastic baggie. Snip the corner and pipe into donut pan. Fill each donut about half way. Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes. Donuts should be a light golden brown and spring back when lightly touched.
While donuts are baking, melt butter for topping and stir together sugar and apple pie spice. Let donuts cool for about 5 minutes after baking, then brush with hot butter and dip in apple spiced sugar mixture.
This recipe makes slightly more than 12 donuts. You can use the remaining batter in muffin tins or mini muffin tins. I like to use a mini donut pan to make a few extra mini donuts. Muffins will bake about the same amount of time, mini muffins or mini donuts, will bake for about 12 minutes.