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Cozy Apple Cider Donut Muffins

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These Cozy Apple Cider Donut Muffins capture the magic of bakery-style apple cider donuts in an easy, fuss-free muffin form. With a tender, spiced interior and a crackly cinnamon-sugar coating, they’re the ultimate fall treat.

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
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (for coating)
  • ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 cup apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about ¼ cup (12-15 minutes). It should be thick and syrupy. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ¾ cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk until combined. Whisk in the reduced apple cider syrup.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined (a few lumps are fine). Do not overmix.
  6. Divide batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
  7. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. While muffins bake, prepare coating: Melt ¼ cup butter in a small bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, mix ½ cup granulated sugar with 1½ teaspoons cinnamon.
  9. Let muffins cool in the pan for 2 minutes. Working one at a time, brush warm muffins with melted butter, then roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated.
  10. Place coated muffins on a cooling rack and let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip reducing the cider—it concentrates the apple flavor without adding excess liquid. Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. Coat muffins while still warm for the signature crackly crust. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/cozy-apple-cider-donut-muffins-best-easy-recipe/