Spiced Apple Cider Cinnamon Baked Donuts

I love donuts but rarely eat them. Not because they are really any worse than most desserts but for some reason in my mind I think of them that way. Well for Thanksgiving, Russell and I have a tradition of running the Turkey Trot together and this year we did the 10k. Perfect excuse to now bake and eat insanely delicious homemade donuts. These are probably some of the best donuts I have ever had. Exactly how I like them. Sweet but not too sweet, warm, and literally melts in your mouth. Plus the cider and cloves make your house smell like a Christmas wonderland. These donuts are also paired best with a warm Starbucks coffee :) Hope you enjoy! 

Ingredients:

For the Donut

• 2 cups Apple Cider
• 2 Whole Cloves
• 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1 large Egg
• 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 2/3 cup light Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup Buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons Apple Sauce, naturally sweetened- no sugar added
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• 3 tablespoons Butter, melted
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Cinnamon

Directions:

1. Start by simmering the apple cider with the 2 cloves in a small saucepan over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until the apple cider reduces down to 1/2 cup. Remove the cloves from the concentrate and pour the cider into a container and refrigerate while you prepare the donut batter. 
2. Preheat the over to 350 degrees. Spray a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside. 
4. In a medium bowl, combine the egg, melted butter, and brown sugar, whisk until smooth. Then, add in the apple sauce, vanilla, buttermilk, and the apple cider concentrate. 
5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. It's okay if a few small lumps remain.
6. Pour the batter by the teaspoon into the prepared pan about 3/4 of the way full. Make sure to not overfill. 
7. Bake donuts about 10-12 minutes. 

For the cinnamon sugar coating:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon together. 
2. Dip the tops of each donut hole into the melted butter then coat with the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Repeat with all the donuts. 

Donuts taste best the same day but can be stored up to 2 days if tightly wrapped and kept at room temperature.

Thank you littlespicejar for this amazing and somewhat healthier donut recipe!
 Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Healthier Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Anyone who knows my husband knows that he loves to bake and makes deliciously naughty desserts. And anyone who knows me knows that I have an insane weakness for cookies. ANY type of cookie. Every now and then there is nothing wrong with indulging in sweets but baking was becoming an every week thing. So I decided now is the time that we start looking into slightly healthier options. For this recipe we took out butter from the recipe completely and added oats for less flour and sugar. Like I said, this is an intro into healthy desserts so it's not completely guilt- free but one step at a time right? These cookies might quickly become a new favorite. For me the hard part was to not eat all the dough and actually bake the cookies. These really are so good. Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups Old Fashioned Oats
• 2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2/3 cup of Canola Oil (use a little more if dough seems too dry)
• 2 large Eggs
• 4 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
• Semi- Sweet Chocolate Chips (however much chocolate you want!)

↣ You can also add or substitute nuts, dried fruit, coconut, or any other toppings you enjoy!

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

2. Mix together the oatmeal, flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, oil, eggs, and vanilla.

3. Beat until the dough is moist and all the ingredients are combined. Mix in the chocolate chips or whatever topping you chose!

4. Using your hands, clump together a tablespoon of dough and squeeze the dough into a ball. Place on prepared baking sheet.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.

6. Eat and enjoy while they are still warm!

Enjoy!

Can't you just see the gooey goodness?!

What are some ways you make your desserts healthier?