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- 1 cup apple cider - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon baking soda Apple cider forms the base of these muffins. It adds a sweet and tangy flavor. The all-purpose flour gives the muffins their fluffy texture. Baking powder and baking soda help the muffins rise and stay light. - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg - ½ cup granulated sugar - ¼ cup brown sugar, packed Cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth to these muffins. The mix of granulated and brown sugar creates a rich sweetness. Brown sugar adds a hint of caramel flavor, while granulated sugar ensures a nice crust. - 2 large eggs - ½ cup vegetable oil - ½ cup apple sauce - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Eggs bind the mixture, giving the muffins structure. Vegetable oil keeps them moist and tender. Apple sauce enhances the apple flavor and adds natural sweetness. Vanilla extract gives a lovely aroma and depth to the taste. - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). - Grease or line the muffin tin. First, set your oven to 350°F. This temperature will make your muffins rise perfectly. Next, prepare your muffin tin. You can grease it using butter or oil. Alternatively, you can line it with paper liners. This helps with easy muffin removal later. - Bring apple cider to a boil. - Simmer until thickened. Now, take your apple cider. Pour it into a small saucepan. Heat it until it boils. Once it starts boiling, lower the heat. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. You want it to thicken. It should reduce to about half a cup. After that, take it off the heat and let it cool a bit. - Blend dry ingredients. - Whisk wet ingredients together. - Combine wet and dry mixtures. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Make sure it's blended well. In another bowl, whisk together the sugars and eggs. Add in the vegetable oil, vanilla, apple sauce, and cooled apple cider. Mix until smooth. Now, gently combine the wet and dry mixes. Be careful not to overmix. This keeps your muffins fluffy. - Fill muffin cups. - Bake and check for doneness. Next, use a spoon to fill each muffin cup. Fill them about three-quarters full. This gives them space to rise. Place the muffin tin in the oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick in the middle of a muffin. If it comes out clean, they are ready. - Cool muffins and prepare coating. - Coat muffins in cinnamon sugar. Once baked, take the muffins out. Let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes. After that, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. While they cool, mix ½ cup of sugar with some cinnamon in a shallow bowl. To coat the muffins, brush them with melted butter. Roll each one in the cinnamon sugar mixture. This gives them that sweet, crunchy finish. To get the best muffin texture, avoid overmixing the batter. Mixing too much makes the muffins dense. Instead, gently fold the wet and dry ingredients together until you see no dry flour. This keeps your muffins light and airy. Also, use room temperature ingredients. Eggs and applesauce mix better when they are at room temperature. It helps the batter blend well and rise nicely. You can enhance the flavor of your muffins by adding extra spices. A pinch of ginger or cloves adds warmth to your muffins. Try different combinations to find your favorite mix. Experimenting with sweeteners is another fun way to change the taste. You can swap some granulated sugar for honey or maple syrup. This adds a unique twist to the classic recipe. These muffins are best enjoyed warm. The cinnamon sugar coating tastes amazing when fresh out of the oven. Pair your muffins with a warm drink, like apple cider or coffee. The flavors blend well and make for a cozy treat. You might even want to serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a special touch! {{image_4}} If you want to make your muffins a bit healthier, consider these options: - Whole wheat flour: Swap half or all of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour. This adds fiber and nutrients to your muffins. - Reducing sugar: Cut back on the sugar in the recipe. You can use half the amount or try a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. These changes make a tasty muffin without losing that classic flavor. Want to mix things up? Here are some fun add-ins: - Chopped apples: Fold in some diced apples for extra fruitiness. They add moisture and a nice crunch. - Nuts or chocolate chips: Toss in walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor. They make each bite even more special. These add-ins can elevate your muffins to a new level. Get creative with seasonal flavors to keep your muffins exciting: - Pumpkin spice version: Add pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice seasoning for a fall twist. This gives your muffins a warm, cozy flavor. - Adding caramel drizzle: Drizzle warm caramel over the top for a sweet finish. This adds a rich sweetness that pairs well with the apple cider. These twists can make your Apple Cider Donut Muffins even more delightful. You can store your Apple Cider Donut Muffins in two ways. If you plan to eat them soon, keep them at room temperature in an airtight container. This keeps them soft and tasty. They will stay fresh for about two days. If you want to save them longer, store them in the refrigerator. In the fridge, they can last up to a week. Just remember, cold muffins can lose some fluffiness. Freezing muffins is a smart way to keep them fresh. First, let the muffins cool completely. Then wrap each muffin in plastic wrap. After that, put the wrapped muffins in a freezer bag. This prevents freezer burn. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you want to eat one, just take it out and let it thaw at room temperature. To enjoy your muffins again, you can reheat them. The best way is to use an oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the muffins on a baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes. This will make them warm and soft again. You can also use a microwave. Heat each muffin for about 15-20 seconds. Just keep an eye on them so they don't get too hot. Enjoy the warmth and flavor! Yes, you can use other flours. Here are some options: - Whole wheat flour: This adds fiber and a nutty taste. - Cake flour: It makes muffins lighter and softer. - Almond flour: This gives a moist texture and nutty flavor. Just remember to adjust the liquid if needed. Whole wheat may require a bit more liquid to stay moist. To make these muffins gluten-free, try these flours: - Gluten-free all-purpose flour: This is a one-to-one substitute. - Almond flour: This adds a rich flavor. - Oat flour: This works well and adds a nice texture. Mix in a bit of xanthan gum for better structure, if your flour blend doesn't include it. Serve these muffins warm for the best taste. Here are some pairings to try: - Coffee: The warmth and spice enhance the flavors. - Tea: A spiced chai adds a cozy touch. - Ice cream: Vanilla ice cream on top is a sweet treat. You can also sprinkle a little more cinnamon sugar on top for extra sweetness. In this blog post, I covered how to make delicious Apple Cider Donut Muffins. We talked about the main ingredients like apple cider, spices, and wet ingredients. I shared step-by-step instructions from mixing to baking. Remember to avoid overmixing for a perfect texture. You can also try healthy alternatives or add fun flavors. Store leftovers properly to keep them fresh. These muffins are best enjoyed warm, paired with your favorite drink. Enjoy baking; these treats will delight your taste buds.

Apple Cider Donut Muffins

Indulge in the taste of fall with these delightful Apple Cider Donut Muffins! Perfectly spiced and coated in cinnamon sugar, these muffins are a must-try for your seasonal baking. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you'll create a warm, comforting treat that everyone will love. Don’t miss out – click through to explore the full recipe and start baking your new favorite muffins today!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup apple cider

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

½ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup apple sauce

½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)

3 tablespoons melted butter (for coating)

Additional ground cinnamon (optional, for coating)

Instructions
 

Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a muffin tin by greasing it well or lining it with paper liners for easy removal later.

    Reduce the Apple Cider: In a small saucepan, pour in the apple cider and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes until it thickens and reduces to approximately ½ cup. After reducing, remove it from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.

      Blend the Dry Ingredients: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Whisk them together until thoroughly mixed.

        Mix Sugars and Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs. Whisk until the mixture is well blended and smooth. Then, add the vegetable oil, vanilla extract, apple sauce, and the cooled reduced apple cider. Continue whisking until fully combined.

          Combine the Mixtures: Gently pour the wet mixture into the bowl containing the dry ingredients. Using a spatula or a wooden spoon, fold the mixtures together until just combined. Be cautious not to overmix, as this can result in dense muffins.

            Fill the Muffin Cups: Use a spoon or a measuring cup to fill each muffin cup about ¾ full with batter. This allows room for the muffins to rise without overflowing.

              Bake to Perfection: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin; it should come out clean when they are done.

                Cool and Prepare for Coating: Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the tin for about 5 minutes. After this, transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.

                  Create Cinnamon Sugar Coating: While the muffins are cooling, combine ½ cup granulated sugar with additional ground cinnamon (if desired) in a shallow bowl. This will be the delightful coating for your muffins.

                    Coat the Muffins: Once the muffins are warm, brush them generously with melted butter. Immediately roll each muffin in the cinnamon sugar mixture until they are thoroughly coated.

                      - Prep Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 40 mins | Makes: 12 muffins

                        Enjoy your delicious Apple Cider Donut Muffins, reminiscent of a cozy autumn day!