Apple Cider Donuts

I don’t know why apple cider is only popular in the winter. I picked up a half gallon of fresh apple cider from trusty Trader Joes…it is so crisp and fresh, and I think it would be totally lovely in the middle of summer! But, since its winter, and its the only time fresh cider graces us with its presence- I am going to take FULL advantage! Starting with these cute little confections…apple cider donuts!

Light and fluffy- check! Sweet and satisfying- check! Apple-y and cinnamon-y- check! Fried and fatty- No way! One of these guys only has about 30 calories (without the glaze), 1 gram of fat…and LOTS of flavor!

Gavin and I were walking around Sur La Table the other day…dreaming, and wishing that we could afford everything in the store when I came across the cutest little baking pan I have ever seen. A tiny little donut pan! I told my mom how much I wanted it- just to play with a few recipes and what do you know? My sweet parents ordered one for me!

I love the idea of being able to eat a donut with out the involvement of a deep fryer- and this awesome little pan allows just that. No, this is not an ad for mini donut pans- you can easily make this recipe in a muffin tin and call them apple cider muffins- or pour it in a bread pan and call it apple cider bread. I don’t care what kind of pan you use- just use one and enjoy these adorable treats!
…with maple glaze

Apple Cider Donuts with Maple Glaze

1 1/4 C flour
1/4 C white sugar
1/4 C brown sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 T nutmeg
1 t salt
1 C apple cider (I used Trader Joes fresh apple cider)
1/2 C fat free buttermilk
1 egg
2 T butter, melted

Cinnamon Sugar
1/2 C sugar
2 t cinnamon

Maple Glaze
1/2 C maple syrup
1/4 C powder sugar
1/4 t sea salt

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

In a small sauce pan, bring the apple cider to a boil and allow it to simmer until it reduces by half.

In a large bowl, sift the flour, sugars, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg and melted butter. Gently mix the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients. Now stir in the apple cider.

If you are using a mini donut pan- pour the batter into a large ziplock bag or piping bag and gently squeeze it into the greased pan- bake each batch for 6 minutes. If you are using a muffin tin or bread pan, grease it and then pour in the batter- bake it until the top is firm, but not brown.

While the donuts are baking, in a medium bowl, mix together a 1/2 C white sugar and 2 t cinnamon. When they are finished baking, immediately toss the hot donuts in the cinnamon sugar mixture and then place them on a cooling rack.

While the donuts are cooling, make the glaze. Mix together the syrup, powder sugar and salt. You can drizzle the glaze on the donuts OR pour it into a little bowl and use it as a dipping sauce! Enjoy!