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Cozy Apple Cider Donut Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar

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These tender, apple cider-infused muffins are coated in a crackly cinnamon sugar crust, delivering all the cozy flavor of a fall donut shop treat without the need for deep frying. Perfect for weekend mornings, Thanksgiving brunch, or any autumn gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup apple cider (reduced to 1/4 cup)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1 cup apple cider into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 1/4 cup (about 12-15 minutes). Set aside to cool.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  3. Whisk dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  4. Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, whisking until fully incorporated.
  5. Add reduced cider and buttermilk: Pour in cooled reduced cider and buttermilk. Whisk gently until combined.
  6. Fold in dry ingredients: Add flour mixture to wet ingredients. Fold with a rubber spatula just until no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix.
  7. Fill muffin cups: Divide batter evenly among 12 muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
  8. Bake: Bake for 16-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool in pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
  9. Make cinnamon sugar coating: In a shallow bowl, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon.
  10. Coat muffins: While muffins are still warm (about 5 minutes after baking), brush each generously with melted butter. Roll in cinnamon sugar mixture to coat all sides. Place on cooling rack.

Notes

Don’t skip reducing the apple cider—it concentrates the flavor. Use room temperature eggs and buttermilk to prevent the melted butter from seizing. For best coating, brush muffins while still warm. Store uncoated if not serving immediately; coat just before serving for maximum crunch.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/cozy-apple-cider-donut-muffins-with-cinnamon-sugar-best-easy-recipe/