Description
Apple Cider Donut Muffins are warm, fluffy, and perfectly coated in cinnamon sugar. Inspired by classic cider mill donuts, these muffins are made with real apple cider reduction and cozy fall spices. The result is a soft, tender bite with a crisp, buttery sugar crust that screams autumn in every bite.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups apple cider (to be reduced to ½ cup)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ cup brown sugar
1 large egg
½ cup unsalted butter (melted, plus ½ cup for coating)
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions
1. Pour 1½ cups apple cider into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until reduced to ½ cup. Let cool.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, mix brown sugar, egg, melted butter, milk, vanilla, and the reduced cider.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line or grease muffin pan. Fill each cup ¾ full.
6. Bake 18–20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool slightly on a wire rack.
7. Melt ½ cup butter. In another bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon for the coating.
8. While muffins are warm, brush or dip each in butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar.
Notes
Be sure to reduce the cider fully to concentrate flavor—don’t skip this step!
Only mix until the ingredients are just combined to avoid dense muffins.
For best coating results, roll muffins in sugar while they’re still warm.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Muffins
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: apple cider muffins, fall baking, donut muffins