Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Ingredients

• 1 Stick Butter, Unsalted & room temperature
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 1/4 cup White Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp Vanilla Flavoring
• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1.5 tbsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Ground Chai ( or use 1/4 tsp cardamom instead + 1/4 extra tsp cinnamon)
• 1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
• 1/4 cup Milk (any kind. Dairy or non-dairy)
• 1.5 cups Apple Cider reduced to 1/2 cup of cider (* I used spiced apple cider for more flavor)
• 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, melted
• 1/2 cup Granulated White Sugar
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Ground Chai (or use 1/4 tsp cardamom instead + 1/4 extra tsp cinnamon)

Instructions

1. 1

   First, the apple cider needs to be reduced. Take the 1.5 cups of cider and add it to a pot and let this simmer for about 15-20 minutes until it is reduced to about 1/2 cup. This will make the apple cider flavor more concentrated when added to the batter and is a necessary step.

2. 2

   Let the reduced cider cool for 15 min room temp. Meanwhile, begin working on the batter for the donuts.

3. 3

   In a bowl or kitchenaid with a paddle attachment, add the butter and sugars. Cream the two together.

4. 4

   To this, add the eggs and vanilla and mix it all together well.

5. 5

   Begin adding the dry ingredients such as flour, baking powder, cinnamon, chai, and ginger. Mix all together.

6. 6

   To this, slowly add in the cider and milk until you have a creamy cohesive batter. Do not overmix.

7. 7

   Spray your donut pan with nonstick spray very well to avoid the cake sticking.

8. 8

   Fill a piping bag with the batter and fill the donut pan 3/4 of the way evenly. You can make a makeshift piping bag by using a ziplock and cutting it in the corner.

9. 9

   Bake in a 350 F preheated oven for just about 15 minutes till baked through.

10. 10

    While they bake, mix together the cinnamon, sugar, and chai seasoning for the topping in a shallow bowl.

11. 11

    Allow for the donuts to cool slightly to avoid breakage while taking out of the pan.

12. 12

    Dip each donut in the melted butter. Shake off the excess butter then dip in the cinnamon sugar topping on both sides.

13. 13

    Repeat and enjoy these donuts fresh! They are best served right away. They keep well room temperature in a ziplock for one day. After that, it would be best to freeze them and thaw then microwave to warm them.