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- 1 cup apple cider - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 3/4 cup brown sugar - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 cup unsweetened applesauce - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/3 cup granulated sugar (for coating) - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating) To make these muffins, start with a good amount of apple cider. It gives the muffins a rich flavor. You will need all-purpose flour as a base. Brown sugar and granulated sugar add sweetness and texture. The spices are key to making them taste like fall. Ground cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth and depth to each bite. - You can swap butter for coconut oil or vegetable oil. This works well if you want a dairy-free option. - If you don’t have applesauce, mashed banana is a nice substitute. It keeps the muffins moist and adds sweetness. - For a gluten-free version, use almond flour or a gluten-free blend. Just ensure your baking powder is gluten-free too. - You will need a standard muffin tin to bake these muffins. - Have mixing bowls ready for combining ingredients. - An electric mixer makes creaming the butter and sugars easy. - Don't forget measuring cups and spoons for accuracy. - Lastly, a small saucepan is needed to reduce the apple cider. Gather these ingredients and tools before you start. It makes the whole process smooth and fun! {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the right temperature for baking. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or use muffin liners to prevent sticking. 2. Reducing Apple Cider: In a small saucepan, pour in 1 cup of apple cider. Heat it over medium heat. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer. After about 10-15 minutes, it should reduce to about 1/2 cup. Set it aside to cool. 3. Mixing Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. This mix gives the muffins their great flavor. 1. Creaming Butter and Sugars: In another bowl, use an electric mixer to mix 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Mix them until light and fluffy, which takes about 3-4 minutes. 2. Incorporating Wet Ingredients: Add 2 large eggs, one at a time, to the butter-sugar mix. Then, pour in the reduced apple cider, 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix well until the mixture is smooth. 1. Filling Muffin Tin: Spoon the muffin batter into the prepared tin. Fill each cup about 2/3 full to allow room for rising. 2. Baking Time and Checking Doneness: Bake the muffins for 18-20 minutes. Stick a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean, they are done. Let them cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. 3. Cooling Tips: While the muffins cool, mix 1/3 cup of granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. After the muffins cool slightly, roll them in this mix for a sweet coating. Enjoy! - How to prevent muffins from sticking: Use a good non-stick spray or line your muffin tin with paper liners. This helps the muffins pop out easily. - Checking for doneness: Stick a toothpick in the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean, your muffins are ready. - Adjusting baking time: If you use mini muffin tins, reduce baking time by about 5 minutes. Check them sooner to avoid overbaking. - Adding nuts or fruits for variations: You can mix in chopped walnuts, pecans, or even dried cranberries for added texture and taste. - Additional spices to consider: Try adding a pinch of allspice or ginger for a warm, cozy flavor. These spices pair well with the apple and cinnamon. - Serving suggestions: Serve the muffins warm on a pretty plate. They look great next to fresh apple slices or a small bowl of whipped cream. - Garnishing ideas: Dust the muffins with extra cinnamon sugar for a sweet touch. You can also sprinkle some finely chopped nuts on top for a crunchy finish. Pro Tips Use Fresh Cider: For the best flavor, use fresh apple cider instead of bottled versions. It enhances the taste and aroma of your muffins. Don’t Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins. Cool Before Coating: Allow the muffins to cool slightly before rolling them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to ensure the coating adheres well. Experiment with Spice: Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste. Adding a pinch of allspice or cloves can give a unique twist to your muffins. {{image_2}} You can make these muffins even more fun by changing the fruit. Try using pears or cranberries during fall. They add a nice twist to the classic flavor. Adding spices like ginger or allspice can also change things up. A pinch of clove can bring warmth to your muffins. If you want a vegan option, replace the eggs with flaxseed meal mixed with water. Use coconut oil instead of butter for a richer taste. If you want to cut sugar, try using a sugar substitute or applesauce. This way, you keep the sweetness while being health-friendly. You can make mini muffins if you want bite-sized treats. Just fill the mini tin halfway and bake for about 12-15 minutes. For standard muffins, stick to the original baking time. You can enjoy these muffins in different sizes, depending on your mood or event. To store your Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins, keep them at room temperature. Place them in an airtight container. This helps keep them soft and moist. You can enjoy them fresh for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing. For long-term storage, freezing is a great option. Wrap each muffin in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag. This keeps out air and moisture. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat, take one out and thaw it. Leave it at room temperature for a few hours or overnight. Check for spoilage before eating. Signs include dryness or mold. If they smell off, don't eat them. To reheat muffins, use the microwave. Heat each muffin for about 10-15 seconds. This brings back their warm, soft texture. You can also warm them in an oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Enjoy them warm for the best taste! To reduce apple cider, pour it into a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat until it boils. Then, lower the heat and let it simmer. Keep an eye on it as it cooks. You want it to reduce to about half a cup. This process takes around 10 to 15 minutes. Stir it occasionally to prevent burning. The result is a sweet, concentrated flavor that makes your muffins taste great. Yes, you can make these muffins ahead of time. Bake them and let them cool completely. Then, store them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for about a week at room temperature. If you want to enjoy them warm, just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds. This way, you can always have a tasty treat ready to go. Absolutely! These muffins freeze well. To freeze them, wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer bag or container. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat one, simply thaw it overnight in the fridge. You can also warm it in the microwave or oven for a fresh taste. If you have dietary restrictions, there are easy swaps you can make. For a dairy-free option, use plant-based butter. You can also replace applesauce with mashed bananas or pureed pumpkin. For gluten-free muffins, use a gluten-free flour blend. Always check the labels to ensure they fit your needs. These adjustments let everyone enjoy these tasty treats. This blog post covered everything you need to know about making apple cider doughnut muffins. We talked about the ingredients, suggested substitutions, and essential equipment. I shared step-by-step instructions for baking and cooling. You also found helpful tips for perfecting your muffins, like flavor enhancements and presentation ideas. Final thoughts: With these insights, you can make delicious muffins tailored to your taste. Experiment with flavors and enjoy baking!

Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins

Delicious muffins infused with apple cider and coated in cinnamon sugar.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 0.75 cup brown sugar
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with muffin liners.
  • In a small saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and let it simmer until it reduces to about 1/2 cup (approximately 10-15 minutes). Set aside to cool slightly.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
  • In another bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
  • Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the reduced apple cider, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
  • Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
  • While the muffins are cooling, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
  • Once cooled slightly, remove the muffins from the tin. Roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they are still warm, ensuring an even coating.

Notes

Arrange the muffins on a decorative plate, dust with a little extra cinnamon sugar, and serve warm with a side of apple slices or whipped cream for a delightful treat!
Keyword apple cider, dessert, muffins