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Cozy Small-Batch Apple Cider Donut Muffins

cozy small-batch apple cider donut muffins - featured image
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These tender, moist muffins capture the warm, spiced flavor of apple cider donuts without the fuss of frying. Made in a single bowl and baked in under 20 minutes, they’re the perfect small-batch treat for a cozy fall morning.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (for coating)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 6-cup muffin pan with paper liners or grease well.
  2. Pour 1 cup apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a steady simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about ¼ cup. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ½ cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and reduced apple cider until smooth.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Fold gently with a rubber spatula just until no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix.
  6. Divide batter evenly among the 6 muffin cups, filling almost to the top.
  7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until tops are golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Let muffins cool in pan for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, melt ¼ cup butter for coating in a small bowl. In a shallow bowl, whisk together ½ cup sugar and 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon.
  9. While muffins are still warm, remove from pan. Brush each muffin with melted butter, then roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated. Place on a wire rack to finish cooling.

Notes

Don’t skip reducing the apple cider—it concentrates the flavor and prevents a gummy texture. For best results, use room temperature ingredients and measure flour by spooning and leveling. The coating is best applied when muffins are warm but not hot.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/cozy-small-batch-apple-cider-donut-muffins-easy-fall-recipe/