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Best Cozy Apple Cider Donut Cake: Easy Homemade Donuts

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A nostalgic, baked apple cider donut cake that captures the warmth of autumn. By reducing fresh apple cider and using warm spices, this recipe creates a tender, moist cake with a classic cinnamon-sugar coating without the need for deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups fresh, unfiltered apple cider
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup finely diced apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Pour 2 cups of apple cider into a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until reduced by half (about 1 cup of syrup), which takes 15-20 minutes. Let cool completely.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
  5. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
  6. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with the cooled cider reduction. Start and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  7. Gently fold in diced apples.
  8. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
  9. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Mix coating sugar and cinnamon. Slice cake and roll pieces in the mixture until well coated.

Notes

Ensure apple cider is reduced by half to concentrate flavor and prevent a gummy texture. Use room temperature ingredients for better emulsification. Coat the cake only after it is completely cool to maintain a crunchy texture. Can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider donut cake, baked donuts, fall dessert, autumn baking, homemade donuts, apple cake, cinnamon sugar cake

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/best-cozy-apple-cider-donut-cake-easy-homemade-donuts/