Doughnut pan with (12) 3-inch cavities (or two 6-cavity pans)
Ingredients
cooking spray
1 ¾cupsall-purpose flour
1 ¼teaspoonsbaking powder
¾teaspoonsalt
2teaspoonsground cinnamon, divided
Pinch ground nutmeg
1cup (2 sticks)unsalted butter, divided, and at room temperature
¾cuplight brown sugar, lightly packed
¾cupgranulated sugar, divided
2largeeggs, room temperature
1teaspoonvanilla extract
½cupapple cider, room temperature(See note below about cider)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray the doughnut cavities with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, cream 10 tablespoons of butter, brown sugar, and ¼ cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time and beat until mixed well, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
Beat in the vanilla.
Add the flour mixture and beat on low just until mixed.
Turn the mixer on low and slowly pour the cider using a steady stream. Scape down the sides of the bowl to mix well.
Add the batter to the prepared pan, filling the cavities about 2/3 full.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle of a doughnut comes out clean. Rotate the doughnuts after half the baking time.
Let the doughnuts cool for approximately 10 minutes, and then turn them out of the pan onto a cooling rack.
Mix together the leftover ½ cup of sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter. Brush melted butter on the cooled doughnuts and dredge them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Notes
Apple Cider Reduction
Optional: To enhance the taste of apple cider in the doughnuts, pour 1 ½ cups of apple cider into a small saucepan. Cook it until it reduces to ½ cup, and then use it in the recipe.
Nutmeg
If you prefer a more enhanced nutmeg taste, increase the amount to 1/16 teaspoon.
Muffins Instead of Doughnuts
If you do not have a doughnut pan, you can make 12 muffins instead. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rotate the muffin pan after half the baking time. Brush the muffin tops with butter and dip them in the sugar-cinnamon mixture.Recipe adapted from the New York Times.