Baked Caramel Apple Cider Donuts

Last weekend, my hubby and I had a cooking/baking afternoon. He was in the mood to bake some donuts for all of us, while I was making dinner. I chose to make a yummy Chicken Broccoli Casserole, and he whipped up these Baked Caramel Apple Cider Donuts. These made the house smell amazing, and the flavor was out of this world. These are the perfect thing to make with Fall heading our way. The donuts had just the right amount of apple flavor, and the caramel glaze made this resemble a caramel apple, only in doughnut form. Since these are baked, rather than fried, they are somewhat healthier for you. No no no, I am not claiming these are “healthy”, but healthiER than frying, haha!!

 

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 cup apple cider, unfiltered
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp corn syrup, dark
• Pinch of salt
• 3 tbsp boiling water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt for garnishing

 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 and grease a doughnut pan. *If you do not have a doughnut pan, you can use a muffin pan and make these into muffins.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the unsalted butter and sugar. Cream together until smooth.
4. Stir in the eggs and egg yolks until well blended.
5. Fold the dry ingredients from the large bowl, into the wet ingredients.
6. Add in the apple cider, make sure you do not over mix.
7. Spoon the batter into the doughnut pan and bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes.
8. Remove pan from oven and allow to cool in the pan for at least 5 minutes.
9. While donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze.
10. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, corn syrup, and pinch of salt.
11. Add in the boiling water, 1 tbsp at a time, until icing comes together.
12. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water over high heat. Bring to a rapid boil and allow to cook for 8 minutes, or until a amber color starts developing.
13. Remove from heat and slowly pour the heavy cream into the mixture.
14. Stir the caramel into the heavy cream mixture and stir to combine.
15. Dip the tops of each doughnut into the glaze and sprinkle salt over the top of each glaze covered doughnut.
16. Allow glaze to firm up a bit on doughnuts, and enjoy!!

Recipe adapted from: Monday Morning Donut