Baked Apple Cider Donuts

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

2/3 cup + 1/2 cup apple cider, divided

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 tablespoons Apple Pie Spice

1/4 cup honey

2 eggs

1/2 cup + 2/3 cup granulated sugar, divided

3 teaspoons Cinnamon

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1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a donut pan with non-stick cooking oil. Set aside.

2. In a small pot over medium add 6 tablespoons of butter. Swirl the pan occasionally to be sure the butter is cooking evenly. As the butter melts, it will begin to foam. The color will progress from lemony-yellow to golden-tan to, finally, a toasty-brown. Once you smell that nutty aroma, take the pan off the heat. Stir in 2/3 cup apple cider. Set aside to cool, about 10 minutes.

3. Once cool, whisk in 1/2 cup sugar, honey, and the eggs

4. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and Apple Pie Spice. Gently whisk in the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

5. Add the batter to a zip-top or pasty bag. Pipe batter into donut holes in the prepared pan.

6. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean.

7. While the donuts are baking, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons butter. Then add in the remaining 1/2 cup of apple cider.

8. In a shallow bowl combine the Cinnamon and remaining 2/3 cup of sugar, mixing well.

9. Dip the warm donuts into the butter-cider mixture and then dredge into the cinnamon-sugar. Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm.

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