Description
Soft, warmly spiced, and coated in buttery cinnamon sugar, these Apple Cider Donut Muffins are everything you love about fall fair donuts in a no-fry, muffin form. Perfect for cozy mornings, brunch spreads, or freezing for a treat later.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups apple cider
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup melted butter (for coating)
1/3 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
1 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions
1. Pour the apple cider into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat until reduced to 1/2 cup. Let cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line or grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, then mix in applesauce, buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and reduced apple cider.
5. Pour wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix.
6. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
7. Bake 15–18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
8. While warm, brush muffins with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.
Notes
For a deeper flavor, reduce your apple cider ahead of time and chill it.
Don’t overmix the batter—this keeps the muffins fluffy.
Skip the coating and freeze muffins; reheat and sugar-coat when ready to eat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Muffins
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: apple cider muffins, fall muffins, donut muffins