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Easy Baked Salted Caramel Apple Cider Donuts

easy baked salted caramel apple cider donuts - featured image
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These easy baked salted caramel apple cider donuts are tender, spiced, and topped with a luscious salted caramel glaze. They deliver all the cozy flavor of a classic apple cider donut without the hassle of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup apple cider (reduced to about ¼ cup)
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (for glaze)
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed (for glaze)
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (for glaze)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (for glaze)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (for glaze)
  • Flaky sea salt for topping

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about ¼ cup. Set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  4. Mix wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and buttermilk until smooth. Add the reduced apple cider and whisk again.
  5. Combine wet and dry: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Fill donut cavities: Transfer batter to a piping bag or zip-top bag with corner snipped. Pipe batter into each cavity, filling about ⅔ to ¾ full.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Make the salted caramel glaze: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture simmers. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in salt and vanilla. Let cool for 3 minutes, then whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.
  9. Glaze the donuts: Dip tops of cooled donuts into warm caramel glaze, letting excess drip off. Place back on wire rack and immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Let glaze set for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip reducing the cider—it concentrates the apple flavor. Room temperature ingredients help create a lighter crumb. Watch the glaze temperature: it should be warm but not hot when dipping. Start checking donuts at 10 minutes to avoid overbaking. Use a light hand with flaky sea salt.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider donuts, baked donuts, salted caramel, fall baking, easy donut recipe

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/easy-baked-salted-caramel-apple-cider-donuts-recipe/