Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Apple Cider Doughnuts

With the acquisition of a mini doughnut pan and some farm-fresh apple cider, I knew I wanted to create a healthier version of one of my favorite fall treats--cider doughnuts! After some field research ;) and online searching, I came up with a recipe that can be enjoyed a bit more often than its fried counterpart! I think the taste is pretty spot-on, but the texture was more like a muffin. My testers (thanks Elina and Kerstin) seemed to enjoy them, though!

Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts


Baked Cider Doughnuts
Recipe by Shannon, adapted from Diana's Desserts and the Food Network
Yield: ~16 mini doughnuts



I filled mine a bit too much, and the top looked almost like muffins! I'd fill them a little more than half-way, as these little doughnuts will rise. You may get more out of them this way. A regular-size doughnut pan can also be used.

For the apple puree:
1 apple, peeled and diced (I used Cortland)
3/4c apple cider

Dry ingredients:
1c whole wheat pastry flour (or white whole wheat)
3/4t baking powder
3/4t baking soda
1t cinnamon
1/4t salt
1/8t fresh grated nutmeg (I eye-balled this amount)

Wet ingredients:
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1/3c turbinado sugar (or brown sugar)
1/4c apple puree (from above)
1 1/2oz maple syrup (I used grade B)
1 1/2oz apple cider
1 1/2oz greek yogurt
1 1/2T veggie oil (I use Smart Balance Omega blend)

For the topping:
1c apple cider
1/4c powdered sugar
cinnamon-sugar mixture (I used a premade mix from gosh knows when!)

Prepare the apple puree by simmering the diced apple and 3/4c cider over med-low heat until broken down. Puree with immersion blender (or regular one). You should have 1/4c puree. If you have more than this, return to heat and simmer until reduced. Let cool. This can be made ahead, if you'd like.

Preheat oven to 375deg. Spray doughnut pan lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. To prepare the glaze: add 1c cider to small saucepan and simmer over med-low heat until reduced to ~1/4c. Whisk in 1c powdered sugar until smooth and glossy. Use more cider or powdered sugar to adjust consistency if needed.

Combine the dry ingredients and whisk/stir well together in a small bowl. Whisk together wet ingredients in a medium bowl . Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until just combined. In prepared doughnut pan, fill cavities halfway full. Bake ~10min, until they spring back when lightly touched. Remove from oven and turn onto cooling rack. Repeat with remaining dough. Add cinnamon-sugar to plate. When cooled slightly, dip top (and/or bottom) of doughnuts in glaze and then into cinn-sugar mix. Serve warm.

These are best served the day you make them, but I stored some in the fridge overnight and they made for a perfect post-run treat! Just warm for a few seconds and dig in :)

35 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

SCRRRRUMPTIOUS! :)

Jul said...

Oh my gosh, AMAZING. Can't wait to try this!

Kelly said...

Yum. I've never tried baked donuts but I've always been curious. I recall that a friend one had a donut maker (kind of like a george foreman grill) so I wonder if the effect is similar?

Heather said...

ohhh! a healthy donut! yum!

Diana said...

Those look AMAZING. :)

vanillasugarblog said...

healthy eh? but do they really taste good? I love my greasy deep fried apple cider doughnuts and so need a healthy version.

Lauren said...

YUM! I will have to make these for a healthier version of an autumn favorite. I had the apple cider doughnuts at Eastern Standard the other weekend, and they were fantastic. Thanks for posting a guiltless recipe!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

yummmmmmy stuff there girl! I have another donut (raw and 5 min version) hitting later tonite.

Oh I emailed that guy Sun nite and have not heard from him but thank you for his info and maybe I will pester him again in a few weeks.

Take care Shannon
xoxo

Erica said...

YUM! I love that they taste more like a muffin as I'm not a HUGE doughnut fan. But I do love me some apple cider. Great recipe

Alisa - Frugal Foodie said...

Those look dee-lish-ous!

Anonymous said...

Yum, they sound really good, I want to try to make them!

Rosiecat24 said...

Brilliant! I was thinking of a similar project in my kitchen. Nice work, lady!

Delicious Dishings said...

Wow! Great job making these a little healthier. They look delicious!

And where did you find a mini doughnut pan? I think I need one!

Lauren said...

Yum! I've never made doughnuts, let alone had one in quite some time, but these look wonderful!

Kerstin said...

Mmmmm, I can vouch for these, they were awesome - thanks again for sharing! :) And, such a healthier version! I need to get some whole wheat pastry flour.

♥peachkins♥ said...

mouthwatering doughnuts...

The Purple Carrot said...

Mmm, these sound heavenly!! : )

We Are Not Martha said...

I've been wanting to make these for a while now... I don't know why I'm scared! Yours look sooo good though. Nice job!! :)

Sues

Dawn (HealthySDLiving) said...

YUMMMM!

Bridget said...

These sound so freeking good!! I must get a donut pan!!

Mini Baker said...

YUMM!!! these look delightful! I love apple cider and I love doughnuts even more, so I'll have to give these a try!
I just found your blog and I'm so excited to browse through all your recipes! I'll be checking back often!
-Mini Baker

Esi said...

I am so glad someone posted a recipe for cider doughnuts that aren't fried. Bookmarking immediately!

Reeni said...

I absolutely love these! So much healthier and easier than frying!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

Thanks for the recipe - sounds awesome!

Joanne said...

I prefer the baked muffiny liked version of the donuts to the fried, guilt-ridden donuty version. Hands down. These look amazing! Time to buy a donut pan ;)

Pam said...

Those look really good!

Anonymous said...

I love apple cider donuts whenever I go apple picking - I'll have to give yours a tri! (get it - tri!)

Elina said...

These were like mini muffins - delicious mini muffins! Thanks for allowing me to be your taste tester :D

Juliana said...

Apple cider donuts? Sounds and looks delicious...wish could have a bite of it...yummie!

Dewi said...

Love donuts, apple cider donuts sound new, but very tempting.

Cate O'Malley said...

Perfect way to celebrate the season - delish!

Diana said...

SO impressed by anyone who makes homemade donuts. That's just crazy! Would you believe I've never had an apple cider donut? I take it I'm missing out.

Nicole Chow said...

Whoa! It's too bad we didn't have these babies the day we went apple picking. They look so good! And when were you looking for taste testers?! Nice job, Shannon. I love how they look like muffins :) So cute! I would like a dozen, please!

Sophia said...

Oh, I was just thinking abt apple cider doughnuts today! I passed by a donut shop and I thought, "If they sell hot-fresh apple cider doughnut, I would be dropping everything to buy all they have!"
I wish I was there with you when you made it!

Ricki said...

MMMMM! Whether muffin or donut texture, I bet they tasted great!

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