Guilt Free Apple Cider Donuts (gluten-free)
Guilt-Free Apple Cider Donuts (gluten-free)
Prep time: about 10 minutes
Cook time: about 12 minutes
Yield: 1 1/2 dozen donuts
INGREDIENTS
For the donuts
2/3 cups (80 g) Cup 4 Cup multipurpose gluten-free flour*
1/2 cups (50 g) fine almond flour*
1/2 cups (40 g) millet flour*
1/2 cups (40 g) oat flour, scant*
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
3/4 cup (150 g) organic cane sugar
6 tablespoons (84 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup (6 fluid ounces) apple cider
For the cinnamon sugar coating
1/4 cup (50 g) organic cane sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*Note: This flour mixture creates a fluffy, cake like and moist donut. In order to create consistent results measure ingredients by weight where noted, especially for the various types of flours. If you use a different commercial flour mix from the Cup 4 Cup blend, you may need to add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum unless your commercial blend already contains it.
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease two standard donut pans and set it aside. (I use the Wilton 6 cavity pan.)
In a large bowl, combine the gluten free flour mix, almond flour, millet flour, oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cream of tartar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cane sugar, and mix well using a hand mixer.
Create a well in the center of the flour mixture, and add the butter, eggs, vanilla extract and cider. Mix to combine. The batter will be light and airy.
Transfer the batter into the prepared donut wells until they are about 3/4 of the way full. I found that a tablespoon works well. You can also fill the dough into a piping bag and pipe the dough into the donut pan.
Using a spoon, carefully level the batter.
Place both pans in the center of the preheated convection oven.
Bake until the tops of the donuts spring back under a slight touch (approximately 12 minutes).
Note that the underside of the donut will be nicely browned and the tops will be lighter in color.
Remove the pan from the oven.
Allow the donuts to cool for a few minutes until they are no longer too hot to touch, about 3-5 minutes.
To prepare the donut coating, mix the cinnamon with the cane sugar in a small bowl. This can be done while the donuts cool down a bit.
Gently remove the still warm donuts from the donut pan with a plastic fork and coat all sides with the cinnamon sugar until they are well-coated.
Place the finished donuts on a cooling rack.
The donuts are best served immediately or within a day or two. Store at room temperature under a glass dome.
Freeze any leftover donuts in a sealed container or freezer bag.
Some healthy facts about the ingredients used:
Almond flour is a nutritious flour high in manganese, magnesium, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. It is rich in monounsaturated fat and has a low glycemic index. It helps reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, stroke, heart disease and cognitive illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Oat flour is high in manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and iron. It contains more protein and fat than other grains. It helps reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels while promoting healthy gut bacteria.
Millet flour is high in vitamin A, calcium, iron, soluble and insoluble fiber and supports healthy gut bacteria. It adds extra bulk to stools, keeps you regular and reduces the risk of colon cancer. It is beneficial for heart health and cognitive function.
Cinnamon has shown in studies to lower blood sugar, cholesterol and aid with intestinal issues such a irritable bowel syndrome. Studies also suggest it may be beneficial for heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and other inflammatory illnesses.
Nutmeg supports a healthy digestive system and cognitive function. It has shown to improve sleep and reduce anxiety. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Each donut contains approximately 160 calories.
Choosing a variety of healthy ingredients in your diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle (see disclaimer).