1. Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease 2 standard donut pans. In a medium saucepan, bring the apple cider to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer until reduced to about 1/2 cup of cider, stirring occasionally. This should take about 15 minutes to reduce, then let cool to room temperature. (Reducing the cider will enhance the apple flavor).
2. In a large mixing bowl whisk together reduced apple cider, oil, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, maple syrup and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Next, sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt into the bowl and whisk to combine. Add the flour and whisk until you no longer see white spots.
3. Use a heaping 1/4 cup measuring cup to fill each well of the donut pans. You want the batter to fill each well almost to the top to create a base in the donuts for the apple bacon compote.
4. Bake donuts for 18 minutes. While donuts are baking, mix together sugar, cinnamon and cardamom in a small bowl. Set aside. Remove donuts from oven once nicely browned (you can use a toothpick to check the doneness of the donuts). Leave donuts in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
5. While donuts are still warm, brush each donut on all sides with melted butter working with 1 donut at a time. Immediately dip donut in cardamom cinnamon sugar and evenly coat. Place donuts back on cooling rack while preparing apple bacon compote.

Apple Bacon Compote

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp, about 6 minutes, stirring often. Transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate using a slotted spoon.
2. To the same skillet, add apples and cook in bacon fat, stirring often for about 5 minutes. Season with cinnamon. Pour brandy into the skillet and allow the alcohol to cook out and reduce for a few minutes.
3. Next, add brown sugar and molasses and reduce heat to medium, stirring well. Add cooked bacon back to the skillet and let the compote simmer for 10 minutes or until thickened.
4. Spoon the compote into the wells of the baked donuts. Drizzle with peanut butter or honey (or both!). Enjoy!