What better way to welcome fall than with some warm cider and donuts? Well, if you can’t make it to your favorite cider mill or are looking for a heart-healthy way to enjoy these seasonal flavors, check out this recipe for homemade apple cider donuts.
These little beauties are baked not fried, which definitely reduces their fat and calorie content. We also use plain low-fat yogurt to maintain moisture but replace some of the fats that might be typically used in cake donut recipes (often butter, oil, eggs). We subbed in half whole-wheat flour with all-purpose flour to amp up the fiber and nutrient content of each donut. Finally, the cider goes right into the batter to help boost flavor, along with autumnal favorites like apple butter, maple syrup and cinnamon.
Yield: 12 donuts
(Downloadable/printable pdf version of this recipe)
Ingredients:
Vegetable oil cooking spray
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup apple butter
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup apple cider
1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt
3 Tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat molds of 2 mini-Bundt pans or doughnut pans (6 cavities each) with vegetable oil cooking spray. In a small dish, combine granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Sprinkle each Bundt or doughnut mold with the cinnamon sugar mixture, shaking out excess. In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole-wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and 2 teaspoons cinnamon; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together egg, brown sugar, apple butter, maple syrup, apple cider, yogurt, canola oil and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and stir until just moistened. Spoon about 2 heaping tablespoons of batter into each prepared mold. Sprinkle batter with remaining cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in doughnut comes out clean. Loosen and place doughnuts onto cooling rack.
NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING: 220 Calories; 4.5 grams Fat; 0.5 grams Saturated Fat; 20 mg Cholesterol; 279 mg Sodium; 42 grams Carbohydrates; 25 grams Sugar; 2 grams Fiber; 3 grams Protein
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