Fall is my favorite season. I love the turning colors of the leaves, I love all things pumpkin, I love the cooler weather, I love fall fashion, and most of all, I love making apple desserts. I have yet to go apple picking this year, and it's almost over! =T My husband and I have been traveling, and so I feel like I've missed most of the fall already. Let's face it. In Chicago, you can't blink too hard or else you will just miss fall altogether!

In light of this, I decided to make a batch of soft, warm, apple cider apple donuts! It's the first thing I usually purchase at the apple orchard anyways. But since I won't be able to make it this year, I'm bringing the apple donuts into my own kitchen!

These are exceptionally moist, and not too sweet surprisingly. I know my husband will enjoy these. They are pretty simple, but you will need a donut pan. If you don't already have one, I would suggest buying one. You can't make baked donuts without them!

I also think next time I make these, I will add a salted caramel glaze…that would make them even yummier! Enjoy! And happy fall friends! :)

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup of apple cider

1 stick of cinnamon

2 cups of all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 large egg (room temperature)

2 tablespoons melted butter

1/2 cup of dark brown sugar

1/2 cup of granulated sugar

1/2 cup of buttermilk (room temperature)

1 apple diced into small cubes

Topping:

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Pour apple cider and cinnamon stick into a small saucepan on high. Reduce liquid to 1/2 cup. Cool in the refrigerator until room temperature.

2. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray donut pans with cooking spray.

3. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

4. Mix together egg, melted butter, sugars, buttermilk, apple cider reduction. Add in diced apples at the end.

5. Add in dry ingredients. Gently mix together, do not over mix.

6. Fill a plastic piping bag (or a ziplock baggie) with 1/2 of the donut mixture. Cut tip of bag or corner of baggie and pipe mixture into the donut pan. Only fill the cavities 1/2-2/3 full.

7. Bake for 10-13 minutes. Mix cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Roll fresh donuts into the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Allow donuts to cool before eating…if you can wait that long! :P