Preheat and Prepare:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan or spray with nonstick spray.

Reduce the Cider:

Pour apple cider into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until reduced to about 1/2 cup. This intensifies the apple flavor. Let cool slightly.

Mix the Dry Ingredients:

In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Combine the Wet Ingredients:

In another large bowl, whisk cooled apple cider, egg, sugar, milk, vanilla, and softened butter until smooth.

Combine Wet and Dry:

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir just until combined. Do not overmix — the batter should be thick and smooth.

Fill the Donut Pan:

Spoon or pipe batter into the donut cavities, filling about 3/4 full.

Bake:

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Make the Topping:

In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Brush each donut lightly with melted butter, then dip both sides into the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well coated.

Serve Warm:

Enjoy your donuts fresh and warm — they taste like the heart of autumn!