These Apple Cider Donut Hole Muffins taste like little apple cider donut holes but are baked like muffins. All covered in apple cider glaze.
When I moved to Seattle now 9 years ago this month I had not a friend in the world in the city.
We moved here knowing no one and I had to figure out how to make friends.
It’s a lot like dating, which can be scary.
I was already married but we were planning a celebration wedding and so I joined the local group on the Knot (which is a wedding planning website for those who don’t know).
It was a very active group and they had get togethers that through those I began to meet more people.
Quite a few of those ladies are still my good friends today (and ironically bridesmaids).
One of them was on the younger side but I somehow seem to be able to make friends with people of all ages.
She was outgoing yet a little shy at the same time.
And our organizer of sorts.
Known for her theme parties.
I gave her cooking lessons (she makes a mean chicken marsala now).
And she always loved to be doing something.
We watched her get married.
Then get divorced.
People were a little shocked, as just like most people she had pretended that all is well.
All was not well.
Her friend was moving to NYC and she decided to up and move there with only knowing the friend that was moving and not having a job.
Most thought she was crazy, I always knew she would do well.
And if she didn’t like it…she could come back to the Seattle area.
But she did like it.
She did find a job.
Ended up working in the fashion industry which was very perfect for her (her friends benefited from the perks of that job as well 😀 ).
She had nothing specific in mind when she went but she was open to whatever the universe was offering up to her.
I admire that about her.
Some people were like she is so lucky and I thought it had nothing to do with luck.
It had to do with the wonderful person she is combined with the willingness to take a leap.
She no longer works for that company but with keeping an upbeat attitude, yet another opportunity presented itself…and for more money than her previous job.
I got to have lunch with her Monday as she was in town before starting her new job…I warned her that my next post was about her and she was like really?
Yes, really.
Sometimes when we get divorced or we break up we think oh no the world has come to an end.
It has not.
It may feel that way.
You may have to do things you don’t want to or like (or downsize…my friend went from a lovely home in a very nice neighborhood to a studio apartment because that is what she could afford at first).
You may have to take a job that you think is beneath your ability.
This should not be humiliating to you.
There is nothing humiliating about doing what you need to get done to support yourself and possibly family if you have it.
MDP’s mom worked two jobs for years to support herself. One of those was a paper route.
Which involves early hours and not great pay but there are bills to pay.
So embrace what is the unknown and take a leap into something that might scare you a little…you just never know.
And embrace these Apple Cider Donut Hole Muffins.
Most people call them donut holes but I have issue with that.
To me donuts have to be fried.
These are baked.
So I’m sticking with calling them muffins.
You can call them whatever you like.
I used the Microwave Applesauce for these and I suggest you do to!
If you don’t want the glaze you can roll them in cinnamon sugar, but I like the glaze as you can get more cider flavor that way.
P.S. It’s a great day to buy my cookbook.
Want More Apple Recipes?
Salted Caramel Apple Fritter Bread
Caramel Apple White Chocolate Fudge
Salted Caramel Apple Sweet Rolls
Mini Caramel-Glazed Honey Crisp Apple Bread
Apple Cider Donut Hole Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp. baking soda
- 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
- 1 egg
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup applesauce
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 3 TBSP vegetable oil
- Glaze:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup apple cider
Instructions
For the muffins:
Preheat oven to 400F.
Spray a mini muffin pan with baking spray (I used 1 ½ pans).
In a large bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Add the brown sugar, applesauce, maple syrup, cider, sour cream, and vegetable oil.
Gently mix until all the ingredients come together, do your best not to over mix.
Divide batter into the muffin pan filling just over half full.
Bake for 10 minutes.
For the glaze:
Mix powdered sugar and cider. Drizzle over muffins. Let the glaze harden to have them be more donut like.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I am currently applying for jobs, which is definitely a leap into the unknown as I have been a student my entire life and no nothing outside of applying to college and then graduate school. I am honestly terrified, but I must prevail and am willing to move almost anywhere to get a (scary) real-world job.
Peabody says
@Erin- very scary stuff (but all good things are)…maybe you will land in the Seattle area! 🙂
KB says
Your friend is a brave woman. Compared to moving cross-country on a “maybe” opportunity, my unknown looks a little weak, but right now I’m dealing with a big decision about college and the future. I’ve been going for my major of choice for almost three years, and now I’m not even sure I want to do it any longer, even though I’ve gotten straight A’s so far. It’s not like a sophomore slump, because I still love the subject, but I don’t want it as a career, and the career I do want is such a uncertain path that I’m scared to try it. Maybe I need to think it over more. I feel like I’ve wasted so much time thinking and sitting and struggling through medical problems, though. I don’t know if I’ll get better or if my time is more limited than I think. Maybe I need to throw my hands up with a “what the heck” and go for what I really have a passion for.
I didn’t think that a post about doughnut hole muffins would make me think like this. I think I need muffins right now. Muffins to steel my spine for the decision I think you’ve just convinced me it’s right to make.
Peabody says
@KB- hehe-I think we have all learned by now that I don’t run the typical food blog. 🙂 Muffins might make you think about majors.
sara says
Great post – I totally agree about the leap into the unknown! And, those muffins sound amazing!
Lindsey says
So honored you wrote a post about me and yes, I was really surprised when you told me Monday, lol. I don’t feel like I’ve done anything that special but It’s interesting reading someone else’s perspective of you. The move to NYC was a big risk but I’m so happy I did it and would definitely encourage anyone in life to go after what they want and take those big risks sometimes. It might not always be pretty at first but things have a way of working out if you’re willing to make some sacrifices and work hard for a bigger ‘reward’ or goal…at least that’s been my experience 🙂
Love ya pea
Xo
Lindsey
(@LindseyInNewyorkland on Instagram if anyone wants to follow my NYC adventures ;)xo)
Laura says
You and I moved to Seattle about the same time and joined the Knottie group about the same time (BTW they are still going strong, just on another board now)
But I guess I didn’t adapt as well, and it took me 5 years to move back to Calif. And the guilt of that was a tough journey – still is. I have to be able to admit to myself that I made a mistake – and that’s ok.
PS – I also was divorced a looooooong time ago (like 1993) and that taught me Change is Good.
Karen says
That is a great lesson. Plus, those muffins will be in my oven very shortly.
Renee @ Awesome on $20 says
After my first husband left me, I thought I would never be happy again. I ended up running away from home and moving to Taiwan to teach English. In my first weekend there, I met the man I am now honored to call my husband. He taught me what it truly means to be loved. The scariest moments can lead to the biggest rewards. Thanks for sharing your friend’s story.
Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat says
Such an inspiring story! I moved to Austin on a whim, without knowing anyone, and then quit my job to go to culinary school. Again, with no idea where I would end up. Now I am living my dream of cooking all day! The unknown can be fun! Whee!
Katie says
I really like your posts!! I can relate to this one because I’ve been leaping about the country following my career path, so I get it. People think I’m nuts but you learn so much!
Also, I like that your posts make me feel better about life. And if they don’t quite perk me up completely, there is a yummy recipe that finishes the job. Cheers! Keep up the good work!
Nutmeg Nanny says
This is such an uplifting post, thank you for that, your friend sounds like a wonderful woman. These muffins look incredible, and I think I will keep on calling them muffins 🙂
Karen says
I just got done making these and they are AMAZING. My entire family loved them. Just a note though that you forgot to put the egg in the step by step directions. It was not a big deal to me but I would not want you to get any more hate mail. 🙂
Cathy Perez says
Love muffins these look so cute and tasty, Pinned!
Carolina says
Super delicious muffins! I made these today and my honey loved them!!! They are a must have muffin! Thanks for sharing.
Carolina