Apple Cider Donuts

Nothing signals autumn quite like apple harvest; blushing bounties of various apples, fresh, sweet apple cider, and warm apple pie are all on my autumn eating list. With fall just on the horizon, I couldn’t resist the chance to make these glorious apple cider donuts.

These are best served warm and fresh on day 1, but they will last in an airtight container for up to 3 days (if you have more self control than me and my family, that is).

Ingredients:
For the Batter:

• 2 cups apple cider
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground clove
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ½ cup milk, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• ½ cup pure cane sugar
• cooking spray
  For the Topping:
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup pure cane sugar
  -1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon apple pie spice

1. Preheat oven to 350℉. Spray donut pan with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Reduce apple cider by placing in a small saucepan on medium heat, stirring occasionally, allow the apple cider to come to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer the apple cider until it is reduced to about ¾ cup (about 20 minutes). Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, sugars, butter, vanilla extract, and milk.
   4 .In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, apple pie spice, clove, cinnamon, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir the dry ingredients with a fork to ensure full incorporation.
4. Pour the egg/milk mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk together until fully combined, stir in the apple cider reduction. The batter should be thick but smooth.
5. Spoon the batter into the donut pan, filling each hole slightly more than halfway.
6. Place in oven and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes, until donuts are browned on tops and edges.
7. Meanwhile, while the donuts are baking, prepare the topping by combining the cinnamon, sugar, and apple pie spice in a medium bowl. Mix well. Melt butter and set aside in a separate medium bowl.
8. Remove the donuts from the oven after baking and allow to cool for 2 minutes in their pan then transfer to a wire rack. Cool for an additional 10 minutes and then dunk the donut first in the melted butter, then in the sugar/cinnamon mixture.