Homemade Apple Cider Donuts

By food contributor Brittany

Apple Cider Donuts

Although I’m sad to say goodbye to summer, September is here and fall is just around the corner! Each year we start out the season with a family trip out to the apple orchard.  We come home with buckets of apples and barrels of cider and are ever so anxious to make a treat with the fresh apples picked straight from the tree!  These donuts are the most apple-y treat I have ever tasted and the sweetest way to celebrate the arrival of fall.Apple Cider Donuts

Keep reading for the recipe!

Apple Cider Donuts

Even though donuts seem like a lot of work, these are something great to make a day before to cut up the work and save for a fun family night with the kids the next day.  Let the kids help cut the donuts out and help with the glazing!

Apple Cider Donuts

Adapted from The Food Network

Makes about 1 dozen

Ingredients:
2 red apples
1 ½ c. apple cider
3 ½ c. flour, plus more for dusting
4 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. baking soda
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
2/3 c.  granulated sugar
3 tbsp. veg. shortening
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
¼ c buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Vegetable oil, for frying

Cider Glaze

1 cup apple cider
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
(Optional Cinnamon & Sugar Topping)
1 c. sugar & 2 tsp. of cinnamon

Directions:

1. Core and coarsely chop the apples (do not peel). Combine with 1 1/2 cups cider in a medium saucepan over medium heat; cover and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking until the apples are tender and the cider is almost completely reduced, about 8 minutes.

2. Puree with an immersion blender or in a food processor until smooth. Measure the sauce; you should have 1 cup. (Boil to reduce further, if necessary.) Let cool slightly.

3. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, salt and nutmeg in a medium bowl.

4. Beat 2/3 cup granulated sugar and the shortening in another bowl with a mixer on medium speed until sandy. Beat in the egg and yolk, then gradually mix in the applesauce, scraping the bowl. Beat in half of the flour mixture, then the buttermilk and vanilla, and then the remaining flour mixture. Mix to make a sticky dough; do not over mix.

5. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper and pat into a 7-by-11-inch rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

6. Meanwhile, make the glaze: Simmer 1 cup cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until reduced to 1/4 cup. Whisk in the confectioners’ sugar until smooth and glossy, then set aside. Mix 1 cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a shallow bowl; set aside for the topping.

7. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Cut the chilled dough into 12 rounds, using a floured 2 1/2- or 3-inch biscuit cutter, then cut out the middles with a 1-inch cutter (or use a doughnut cutter). Slip 2 or 3 doughnuts at a time into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side, adjusting the heat as needed. Transfer to the paper towels to drain.

8. Dip one side of each doughnut in the cider glaze, letting the excess drip off; dip just the glazed side in the cinnamon-sugar or roll all over in cinnamon-sugar, if desired. Serve warm.

 

Comments

We both have apple donuts posted today! GMTA!!

These look amazing! I’m adding them to The List of recipes to try this Fall.

These look delicious!! I can’t wait to try this recipe!

Wow, those look amazing! They look delicious and oh so yummy!! I will be making these soon! Great photography, love the lighting!

oh yummmy- perfect for fall and gorgeous pictures!

Yum, these are making my mouth water just looking at them! I might have to give them a try! Thanks for sharing.

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