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Cozy Baked Salted Caramel Apple Cider Donut Bites

apple cider donut bites - featured image
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These soft, spiced donut bites are made with reduced apple cider for concentrated fall flavor, coated in cinnamon sugar, and drizzled with a salted caramel glaze. They’re quick to make, perfect for gatherings, and disappear fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or ¼ cup milk mixed with 1 teaspoon lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (for glaze)
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar (for glaze)
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (for glaze)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (for glaze, plus more for sprinkling)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar, sifted (for glaze)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 cup apple cider into a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Let bubble gently for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about ¼ cup. It should be syrupy and smell intensely of apples. Set aside to cool.
  2. Preheat and prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan generously with butter or non-stick spray.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly distributed.
  4. Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and egg until smooth and slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Add melted butter, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and cooled reduced apple cider. Whisk until fully combined.
  5. Bring together: Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined (a few streaks of flour are fine). Do not overmix.
  6. Fill and bake: Using a cookie scoop or small spoon, fill each mini muffin cup about ¾ full. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
  7. Make the salted caramel glaze: In the same saucepan (rinsed), melt ¼ cup butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar and heavy cream, whisking constantly until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 minutes, whisking. Remove from heat, stir in ¼ teaspoon salt and vanilla. Let cool for 2 minutes, then whisk in powdered sugar until smooth. If too thick, add a splash of cream.
  8. Coat and glaze: In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon. While donut bites are still warm (but not hot), brush each with melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Place back on cooling rack and drizzle salted caramel glaze over the top. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.
  9. Let the glaze set: Allow glazed donut bites to sit for 5-10 minutes so the caramel firms up slightly before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the cider reduction—it concentrates the apple flavor. Watch the oven closely; start checking at 8 minutes to avoid overbaking. The caramel glaze sets quickly, so work in batches or keep it warm. For extra crunch, double coat the bites with butter and cinnamon sugar. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Freeze unglazed bites for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider donut bites, baked donut bites, salted caramel, fall dessert, mini donuts, cinnamon sugar, easy donut recipe

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/cozy-baked-salted-caramel-apple-cider-donut-bites/