Print

Cozy Brown Butter Apple Cider Donut Muffins: 15-Min Recipe

brown butter apple cider donut muffins - featured image
Print Recipe

These muffins capture the essence of a fall apple cider donut—soft, tender crumb coated in cinnamon sugar—in a fraction of the time. No deep frying, just one bowl, a muffin tin, and gorgeous brown butter.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (240ml) apple cider
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • For the coating: 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven. Line your muffin tin with paper liners or grease the cups well with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Brown the butter: Place the 1 cup of unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stopping every 60 seconds to give it a swirl. Watch carefully—the butter will foam up and then settle down, and you’ll see brown specks forming at the bottom. It should smell nutty and toasty. If not quite there after 3 minutes, microwave in 15-second bursts until deep amber. Pour into a heatproof bowl and let cool slightly.
  3. Reduce the apple cider: Pour the 1 cup of apple cider into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer. Stir occasionally, and cook until reduced to about 1/4 cup (60ml), about 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  4. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  5. Combine the wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, and the browned butter until well combined. Add the 2 room temperature eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the 1/2 cup buttermilk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and the cooled apple cider reduction. Whisk until smooth and glossy.
  6. Fold the batter together: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to fold together gently, just until no streaks of flour remain—about 12 to 15 strokes. A few small lumps are fine. Do not overmix.
  7. Fill the muffin cups: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
  8. Bake the muffins: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.
  9. Coat the muffins: While the muffins are still warm, prepare the cinnamon sugar coating by mixing 1/4 cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small bowl. Use a pastry brush to lightly coat each warm muffin with melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
  10. Let them set: Place the coated muffins back on the cooling rack for about 10 minutes to allow the coating to set. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Don’t skip the apple cider reduction—it concentrates flavor and prevents soggy muffins. Watch the brown butter carefully; it can burn quickly. Room temperature ingredients help the batter come together smoothly. Overmixing leads to tough muffins; mix just until combined. For best coating, brush with melted butter while muffins are warm but not hot.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown butter, apple cider, donut muffins, fall recipe, quick muffins, cinnamon sugar

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/cozy-brown-butter-apple-cider-donut-muffins-15-min-recipe/