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Cozy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Donut Muffins (Easy Recipe)

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These cozy cinnamon sugar apple cider donut muffins deliver the classic fall flavor of apple cider donuts without the hassle of deep frying. Made in one bowl with simple ingredients, they’re tender, moist, and coated in a crunchy cinnamon sugar crust.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup apple cider (reduced to about 1/4 cup)
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (for coating)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your muffin tin with paper liners or grease the cups well with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 1/4 cup (about 12-15 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. Whisk the dry ingredients together: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Whisk until evenly distributed.
  4. Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, and whisk until combined. Then add the reduced apple cider and the buttermilk. Whisk until smooth.
  5. Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to fold the mixture together just until no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix.
  6. Fill the muffin cups: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
  7. Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Prepare the coating while the muffins bake: In a small bowl, melt the 1/4 cup of butter. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon.
  9. Coat the muffins: Let the muffins cool in the tin for about 2 minutes. Working one at a time, brush each warm muffin all over with melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated. Place on a cooling rack.
  10. Let them set: Allow the coated muffins to cool completely on the rack.

Notes

Don’t skip the cider reduction—it concentrates the apple flavor. Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Coat muffins while still warm for the sugar to stick. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter and buttermilk substitute (1 1/2 tsp lemon juice + 1/2 cup oat milk).

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/cozy-cinnamon-sugar-apple-cider-donut-muffins-easy-recipe/