Apple Cider Donuts

apple_cider_donuts

Autumn in New England is simply magical, with its cool breeze, vibrant foliage, and delicious harvest treats. And nothing says “fall” quite like a warm, freshly baked apple cider donut. Made with local apples and apple cider, these quintessential New England treats are a must-try for anyone visiting the region during the season. But why leave it to chance when you can make your own batch of mouth-watering apple cider donuts right at home?

In this recipe, we’ll explore the key ingredients and steps needed to bake the perfect apple cider donuts. We’ll start with the main ingredient - apple cider - which is the key to imparting that unmistakably apple-like flavor to the donuts. Apple cider is created by grinding fresh apples and then pressing them to extract the juice. The result is a deliciously tangy, slightly-sweet beverage that is perfect for baking, as well as for sipping on cold autumn mornings.

We’ll also be using another autumn staple - cinnamon - which pairs perfectly with apples and adds a cozy, warming flavor to the donuts. And, of course, we’ll be using some classic baking ingredients such as flour, sugar, and eggs, to round out the recipe.

The first step in the process is to reduce the apple cider, which means we’ll simmer it on the stovetop until it’s reduced to about half of its volume. This concentrates the flavors of the cider, resulting in a richer and more intense apple taste. After reducing the cider, we’ll let it cool to room temperature while we work on the dough.

To make the dough, we’ll start by mixing the dry ingredients - flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and sugar - in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, we’ll whisk together the wet ingredients - eggs, melted butter, and the cooled apple cider reduction. Once the wet ingredients are well combined, we’ll slowly pour them into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together.

Next, we’ll roll out the dough and cut it into donut shapes. If you have a donut cutter, that’s great, but if not, you can improvise by using a biscuit cutter for the main circle and a small round cookie cutter for the donut hole. Once the donuts are cut, we’ll let them rest for a few minutes while we preheat the oil for frying.

Frying the donuts is the final step, and it’s important to keep an eye on the temperature of the oil. We want it to be around 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to cook the donuts quickly and evenly, but not so hot that they burn on the outside while remaining uncooked inside. Once the oil is hot, we’ll carefully lower the donuts into the fryer, cooking them for a minute or two on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through.

The final touch is to dust the donuts in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm, which adds a lovely crunchy sweetness to their surface. And that’s it - our New England apple cider donuts are ready to be savored! Whether you enjoy them as a breakfast treat with coffee, a mid-day snack with cider, or a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, these donuts are sure to make your autumn season all the more delicious.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  • 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the apple cider, Greek yogurt, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until a smooth batter forms.

  4. Heat a large pot of vegetable oil to 350°F.

  5. Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, drop tablespoon-sized scoops of batter into the hot oil. Fry the doughnuts for 2-3 minutes until they are golden brown on both sides.

  6. Remove the doughnuts from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

  7. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon. While the doughnuts are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.

  8. Serve warm and enjoy!