Apple Cider Goodness

Local award-winning foodie/chef shares a healthy take on a traditional fall favorite.

We are treated this week to a Jersey Fresh recipe shared by Coley Cooks, aka Nicole Gaffney, who is well known for competing on the 10th season of Food Network Star and finishing in third place! She is a Jersey girl, having grown up at the Jersey Shore and still residing here. Read more about her at https://coleycooks.com

Here’s what Coley says about this recipe: “This recipe for baked apple cider doughnuts lighter than traditional fried doughnuts, but still delivers warm, cakey centers with crisp golden brown edges. They’re coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar mix and filled with fall flavors that make them irresistible. The best part? They come together quickly in your own kitchen without much time or fuss!” 

For a video of recipe prep for this dish, visit https://findjerseyfresh.com/JerseyFresh/recipes/baked-apple-cider-doughnuts

Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts

FOR THE DOUGHNUTS:
1 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

½ tsp. cinnamon

3 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

½ cup Jersey Fresh apple cider

1/3 cup sugar

1 large egg

Non-stick cooking spray

FOR THE TOPPING:
4 tbsp. salted butter, melted

1/3 cup sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

If you want to achieve the traditional round doughnut shape with a hole in the middle, then you need a doughnut pan. The good thing is that they’re inexpensive and can be used to make all kinds of healthier, baked doughnuts.

But if you’re just looking to bake up something delicious and don’t care what it looks like, a muffin tin will work just as well. You can even make these in a mini muffin tin for smaller, bite sized doughnut “holes.” If baking in a muffin tin, you will need to adjust the baking time as it will take longer for them to bake in a full-sized muffin tin, and slightly less for mini muffins. Always keep an eye on them and check with a toothpick to make sure there is no raw batter in the center. 

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Combine the melted butter with the apple cider and sugar, then add to the dry ingredients along with the egg and whisk until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix or it will cause the doughnuts to become tough.

3. Spray a doughnut pan or muffin tin with cooking spray, then carefully spoon the batter into the pan. Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the a toothpick inserted into the center of a doughnuts comes out clean (this will take longer for muffins). Allow to cool for a minute or two before turning out of the pan.

4. Pour the remaining melted butter into a shallow bowl, then combine the sugar and cinnamon in another. While the doughnuts are still warm, carefully dip them in the butter on both sides, then roll in the cinnamon sugar until coated. These doughnuts are best served when they’re still warm.