Apple Cider Donut Muffins
Our Sebastopol spin inspired by Downtown Bakery & Creamery's beloved Wine Country classic.We've crafted our version with a double dose of apple flavor: fresh cider plus rich, concentrated cider syrup for the perfect bite.
Muffin Batter:
1 quart (4 cups) apple cider
3 cups (400g) flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cube (113g) butter, at room temperature
½ cup (100g) white sugar
¼ cup (50g) brown sugar
2 eggs
½ cup (120 ml)buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
1 cube (113g) butter, melted
1½ cups (300g) sugar (or maple sugar is also delicious)
1 Tablespoon cinnamon or chai spice—we love Sonoma Spice Queen's mix!
A big pinch of salt
Instructions:
Measure ½ cup of fresh apple cider and set aside. Boil the remaining 3½ cups cider until itis reduced to ½ cup of apple syrup.
Mix together the fresh cider, reduced cider syrup, buttermilk, and vanilla; set aside.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.
Cream the butter and both sugars together until fluffy. Add the eggs and beat well.
Alternately add the flour mixture and cider mixture to the butter mixture.
Grease or spray a 12-cup muffin pan, do not use papers.
Scoop batter into muffin pan using a scoop or ¼ cup measure
Set the batter aside in the refrigerator for 30 minutes—your muffins will be lighter and fluffier with this rest and chill. At this point, you can cover the pan and leave in the fridge overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake muffins for 20-22 minutes or until cooked. Cool for 5 minutes.
Pro tip: To ensure perfect doneness, insert a candy or meat thermometer into the center of a muffin. They're ready when the internal temperature reaches 205-212°F.
For the coating:
While muffins are baking, mix together the sugar, cinnamon or chai spice mix, and salt.
Melt the butter.
Brush the warm muffins all over with melted butter and roll in the cinnamon sugar.
Set aside until cool, about 30 minutes and enjoy.
Note: Muffins keep for a day or two tightly wrapped.
