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To make Apple Cider Donut Pancakes, gather these key ingredients: - 1 cup apple cider - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour - ¾ cup granulated sugar - 2 teaspoons baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 large egg - ¼ cup milk - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract These ingredients work together to create fluffy, flavorful pancakes with a warm, sweet taste. For the sweet maple glaze, you’ll need: - 1 cup powdered sugar - 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup - 1-2 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency) The glaze adds a rich sweetness that perfectly complements the apple cider flavor. For extra flair, consider these optional garnishes: - A sprinkle of cinnamon - Thin apple slices These add visual appeal and enhance the flavor of your pancakes. Enjoy making a dish that feels cozy and festive! Start by pouring 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat. Stir it occasionally. You want to reduce the cider to about ½ cup. This takes about 10-15 minutes. Once it thickens, remove it from heat and let it cool. This concentrated flavor will make your pancakes taste amazing. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ cup of granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Next, sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Use a whisk to mix everything well. This step is key for even flavor in your pancakes. In another bowl, whisk together the reduced apple cider, 1 large egg, ¼ cup of milk, 3 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Make sure it’s smooth. Now, pour this wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently stir until just combined. A few lumps in the batter are okay. Avoid overmixing to keep your pancakes fluffy. To get light and fluffy pancakes, avoid overmixing. When you combine wet and dry ingredients, mix just until you see no dry flour. A few lumps are fine. Let the batter rest for about 5 minutes. This helps the gluten relax, giving you tender pancakes. Stack your pancakes high on a plate for a nice look. Drizzle the maple glaze over the top. Let the glaze flow down the sides. For extra flair, sprinkle some cinnamon on top. You can also add a few apple slices for color and taste. One common mistake is using cold ingredients. Make sure your egg and milk are at room temperature. This helps the batter mix better. Another mistake is cooking on too high heat. Medium heat is best for even cooking. Flip too soon, and you may end up with a gooey center. Always look for bubbles on the surface before flipping. {{image_2}} You can boost the flavor of these pancakes in fun ways. Consider adding chopped apples to the batter. Use tart apples for a nice contrast. You can also mix in chopped nuts for a crunch. Walnuts or pecans work great. For a sweeter touch, add chocolate chips or caramel pieces. These add a delightful surprise in each bite. If you need a gluten-free version, make simple swaps. Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. This keeps the texture light and fluffy. Check that your baking powder is gluten-free. You can also add a bit of xanthan gum for better structure. This will help the pancakes hold together while cooking. While the maple glaze is a star, other toppings shine too. Try fresh fruit like berries or bananas for a burst of flavor. Whipped cream adds a nice creamy touch. For a spice kick, dust with cinnamon sugar. You can even drizzle with honey or agave syrup. Each topping creates a new taste adventure! To store leftover pancakes, first let them cool completely. Place them in an airtight container. You can separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking. Store the container in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Wrap each pancake in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They will last for up to two months in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy your pancakes again, reheating is easy. For the microwave, place a pancake on a plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat for about 20-30 seconds. For the best texture, use a skillet. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat, add a little butter, and warm each pancake for about one minute on each side. This will help them stay fluffy and delicious. The maple glaze can last for about one week in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it. Just thaw it in the fridge before using. If the glaze thickens, add a little milk to reach your desired consistency. Enjoy drizzling it on your pancakes for a sweet touch! Yes, you can use store-bought apple cider. It saves time and still tastes great. Just make sure to choose a brand that is pure and fresh. This will keep the flavor of your pancakes rich and sweet. If you want to enhance the flavor, try reducing it in a saucepan first. To make these pancakes vegan, swap out the egg and milk. Use a flaxseed egg instead of a regular egg. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for five minutes to thicken. For milk, any plant-based milk works well, like almond or oat milk. You can use several substitutes for eggs. Some great options are a flaxseed egg, a chia seed egg, or applesauce. For a flaxseed egg, use 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water. For applesauce, use ¼ cup to replace one egg. These options keep your pancakes fluffy and tasty. In this post, we explored how to make delicious pancakes from scratch. We discussed key ingredients and shared steps for mixing and cooking. I offered tips for perfect texture and how to serve your pancakes nicely. We also looked at flavorful variations and storage tips. Remember, making pancakes is fun and easy. Try my tips to avoid common mistakes, and enjoy experimenting with flavors. Happy cooking!

Apple Cider Donut Pancakes with Maple Glaze

Indulge in the mouthwatering delight of Apple Cider Donut Pancakes! These fluffy pancakes are infused with the rich flavors of apple cider and spices, then topped with a sweet maple glaze for the ultimate breakfast treat. Perfect for cozy mornings or special occasions, this recipe is easy to make and sure to impress. Click through to discover the full recipe and bring this tasty brunch idea to your table!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup apple cider

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

¾ cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon salt

1 large egg

¼ cup milk

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Maple Glaze Ingredients:

1 cup powdered sugar

2-3 tablespoons maple syrup

1-2 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)

Instructions
 

In a small saucepan, heat the apple cider over medium heat until it reduces to ½ cup, about 10-15 minutes. Set aside to cool.

    In a large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Whisk together until well incorporated.

      In another bowl, whisk together the reduced apple cider, egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.

        Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay!

          Preheat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter. Pour ¼ cup of pancake batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter, keeping cooked pancakes warm in a low oven.

            For the maple glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk in a bowl until smooth. Adjust the thickness by adding more milk if necessary.

              Serve the pancakes warm, drizzled with maple glaze.

                Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes | Servings: 4 (makes about 8 pancakes)

                  - Presentation Tips: Stack the pancakes high on a plate and drizzle the glaze over the top, allowing it to flow down the sides. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a few apple slices for an extra touch!