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!