Apple Cider Donuts
These Apple Cider Donuts are perfect for enjoying the flavors of fall. They are made using baking powder and baking soda, which means they’re quick to prepare. Unlike yeast-based recipes these donuts do not require rising which will save you time. The inside is similar to a cake donut – soft and tender. Also, slightly crisp inside. Infused with the rich, spiced flavor of apple cider. These donuts offer a comforting blend of sweetness and warmth. The perfect treat for all donut lovers. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven. Dusted with cinnamon and sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
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TIPS
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Making apple cider donuts can be a delightful culinary experience, especially as the fall season rolls in. Here are some tips to help beginners successfully create these scrumptious treats:
- Use Quality Ingredients: Start with fresh apple cider. Simmer it down to concentrate the flavors, which will add depth to your donuts.
- Measure Accurately: Baking is a science, so ensure you measure your ingredients accurately. Use a kitchen scale for precision, especially with dry ingredients like flour.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in tough donuts.
- Temperature Control: Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at around 350°F (175°C) for frying. This ensures the donuts cook evenly without becoming greasy.
- Test Fry a Single Donut: Before frying a whole batch, test fry one donut. This allows you to check the oil temperature and adjust if necessary.
- Drain Properly: After frying, place the donuts on a wire rack over paper towels to drain excess oil, keeping them crispy.
- Coat While Warm: Toss the donuts in a cinnamon-sugar mixture while they are still warm to ensure an even and thorough coating.
- Experiment with Spices: Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. Adding nutmeg or clove can enhance the fall flavors.
Following these tips will help ensure your apple cider donuts are both delicious and beautifully textured, perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee or cider.
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INGREDIENTS YOU NEED TO MAKE THESE APPLE CIDER DONUTS
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To make delectable Apple Cider Donuts, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Apple Cider: This is the star ingredient that infuses the donuts with a rich apple flavor, providing a sweet and tangy taste that sets these treats apart.
- Granulated Sugar: Used to add sweetness to the donuts, it also helps in achieving a nice golden-brown color when frying.
- Unsalted Butter (melted): This adds richness and a subtle buttery flavor while ensuring the donuts have a tender crumb.
- Eggs: They play a crucial role in binding the ingredients together and contributing to the donuts’ fluffy texture.
- Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tanginess, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the donuts.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the donut, providing structure and substance to the dough.
- Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the donuts rise and become light and airy.
- Baking Soda: Works alongside the baking powder to ensure the donuts achieve the perfect fluffiness.
- Ground Cinnamon: Imparts a warm, comforting spice that complements the apple cider beautifully.
- Ground Nutmeg: Adds a hint of spice that enhances the donuts’ flavor complexity.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Oil for Frying: Essential for cooking the donuts to a crispy, golden perfection.
- Extra Sugar and Cinnamon for Coating: This mixture coats the freshly fried donuts, providing an irresistible sweet and spicy finish that will have you reaching for seconds.
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HOW TO MAKE APPLE CIDER DONUTS
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- Reduce the Apple Cider: Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until it reduces to about 1/4 cup, approximately 10-15 minutes. Allow it to cool completely.
- Prepare the Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until well combined. Stir in the cooled, reduced apple cider and buttermilk.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. The dough will be thick.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm enough to handle.
- Shape the Donuts: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter to cut out the donuts. Re-roll the scraps as needed.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep saucepan or fryer, heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Donuts: Carefully add a few donuts at a time to the hot oil. Fry for about 1-2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Coat the Donuts: If desired, mix additional sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. While the donuts are still warm, toss them in the sugar-cinnamon mixture to coat.
- Serve and Enjoy: These donuts are best enjoyed fresh and warm. Serve them with a glass of cold apple cider or a hot cup of coffee for the ultimate fall treat.
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HOW TO CUT DONUTS WITHOUT A DONUT CUTTER
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If you don’t have a donut cutter, don’t worry! You can easily use household items to cut out the holes for your apple cider donuts. Here are a few methods you can try:
- Cookie Cutter and Bottle Cap Method: Use a round cookie cutter for the outer shape of the donut. For the center hole, you can use a clean bottle cap or the cap of a spice jar. Simply press it into the dough to create the hole.
- Glass and Shot Glass Method: Use a drinking glass or a mason jar lid to cut out the donut shape. Then, use a shot glass or any smaller round object to cut out the center hole.
- Knife and Freehand Method: If you prefer, you can also cut the donuts freehand. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut out the donut shape, and then cut out the center hole.
- Biscuit Cutter Set: If you have biscuit cutters of varying sizes, you can use the larger one for the donut shape and a smaller one for the center hole.
Recipe for Apple Hand Pies
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Apple Cider Donuts
A perfect treat for the fall season. The texture is similar to a cake donut which is soft and tender on the inside with a slightly crisp exterior.
Equipment
- Wide and deep pan for frying
- Heatproof spatula
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Donut cutter
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 cup granulate sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Oil, for frying, vegetable oil or canola oil works well
- Extra sugar and cinnamon for coating
Instructions
- Reduce the Apple Cider: Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until it reduces to about 1/4 cup, approximately 10-15 minutes. Allow it to cool completely.
- Prepare the Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until well combined. Stir in the cooled, reduced apple cider and buttermilk.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. The dough will be thick.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm enough to handle.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep saucepan or fryer, heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Donuts: Carefully add a few donuts at a time to the hot oil. Fry for about 1-2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Coat the Donuts: If desired, mix additional sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. While the donuts are still warm, toss them in the sugar-cinnamon mixture to coat.
- Serve and Enjoy: These donuts are best enjoyed fresh and warm. Serve them with a glass of cold apple cider or a hot cup of coffee for the ultimate fall treat.
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GET A WEEK FREE OF MEAL-PREPPING RECIPES WITH A GROCERY LIST
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