Saleh’s Plate · By Saleh Alkhalifa

Apple Cider Doughnuts

Adapted from Sally McKenney’s baked apple cider doughnuts, these tender rings reduce cider for concentrated apple flavor, then finish warm in a sparkling cinnamon–apple pie spice coat. They taste like a crisp New England afternoon and are best shared right away.

Ingredients

Doughnuts

  • 1½ cups apple cider
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¾ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp apple pie spice
  • ¼ tsp fine salt
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup (100 g) packed light or dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup milk, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cinnamon-sugar coating

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¾ tsp apple pie spice
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Gently simmer the apple cider in a small saucepan over low heat until only ½ cup remains, about 20 minutes. Check it after 10 minutes, then every 3–5 minutes. Pour into a measuring cup and cool for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Thoroughly spray a 6-cavity doughnut pan with nonstick spray.
  3. Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt in a large bowl.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, add the cooled cider reduction, and whisk until smooth. The batter will be slightly thick.
  5. Transfer the batter to a piping bag or zip-top bag with one corner snipped. Pipe into the pan, filling each cavity only halfway.
  6. Bake for 10–11 minutes, until the edges and tops are lightly browned and the tops spring back when gently pressed. Cool in the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Regrease the pan before baking the remaining batter.
  7. Mix the sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice in a shallow bowl. Dip both sides of each warm doughnut in the melted butter, then coat generously in the spiced sugar.
  8. Serve immediately for the best soft texture and crisp, sparkling coating.