When Fall rolls around everyone has their favorite local spot to buy Apple Cider Donuts, but my new favorite this year might just be homemade. Nothing beats the taste of a hot, fresh Apple Cider Donut right out of the frying pan. There’s something about the classic fall flavor of apple cider transformed into donut form that just can’t be resisted. One bite into this cinnamon-sugary crusted pastry is all you’ll need to be hooked too. The inside is cake-like, tender and moist and bursting with the perfect combination of warm fall spices. Add this recipe to your Fall baking bucket list and whip up a dozen today, and tomorrow, and maybe even the next day too!
Here’s all you’ll need: apple cider, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, ground cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, and all-spice, eggs, butter, white sugar, and oil (for frying).
Soooo….when I was rounding up all the ingredients for this recipe it seemed like a lot but it’s really not that bad. It’s mostly common baking ingredients that you already have on hand and a few specialty spices that you might need to grab. Don’t be intimidated because Apple Cider Donuts are totally worth it!!
Add 2 cups of your favorite apple cider to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook over high heat for 10-15 minutes or until the apple cider is reduced by half. You should have one cup remaining. Set aside to cool. Boiling the apple cider down makes it super concentrated which will make the donuts more flavorful. Cherry Bank Farms is our family favorite variety.
Next in a large bowl combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and allspice. Whisk them all up to combine.
Add the eggs to a separate bowl and lightly beat with a whisk. Mix in the melted butter and cooled apple cider. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just moistened to form a sticky dough. Cover and refrigerate until firm enough to shape (about 1 hour). You’ll notice this dough has no yeast which means no additional rising time. It also means donuts in your belly a whole lot quicker!!
Divide the dough in half. It’s easier to work with smaller portions for this step. On a lightly floured surface, pat each dough down to a smooth, 1/2-inch thick sheet. No need for a rolling pin here! Patting the dough down with your hands will work out just fine. Cut out six donuts from each portion of dough using a 3-inch donut cutter. You’ll likely need to reshape the dough to maintain the 1/2-inch thickness for all donuts. Repeat the process until you have a dozen Apple Cider Donuts ready to fry!
If you don’t have a donut cutter handy you can make donut holes instead. To create these bitesize morsels, break off 1-1/2-inch pieces of dough and roll into a tight ball.
Add approximately 2 inches of oil to an electric skillet or a deep frying pan. If you have a deep fryer with clean oil you can use that too. Heat the oil to 325 degrees. Canola and Vegetable oils are both great for frying. I also recommend using a thermometer if you have one handy or try the wooden spoon test. Stick the end of a wooden spoon into the oil. If bubbles form around it and start to float up then the oil is ready for frying. If the oil is bubbling hard, like say a roaring boil, then the oil is too hot and will need to be cooled.
Fry donuts in batches for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the donuts over and fry for an additional 2-3 minutes. For donut holes, fry for 1 minute per side or until cooked through. You might need to do a taste test!
Place to donuts on paper towels to remove any excess grease. In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup white sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of cinnamon. Press warm donuts into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Be sure to cover every last inch cause it’s just so delish!
Apple Cider Donuts are best served warm in my opinion. What do you think? One thing’s for sure this sweet treat is definitely worth the splurge!
Speaking of all things apple…have you tried our Pressure-Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce or Rustic Apple Tart yet?
Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon each ground cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice
- 2 large eggs
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
- Oil for deep-fat frying
- FOR CINNAMON SUGAR COATING:
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons cinnamon
Directions
- Step 1 Add 2 cups of apple cider to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook over high heat for 10-15 minutes or until the apple cider is reduced by half. You should have one cup remaining. Set aside to cool.
- Step 2 In a large bowl combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and allspice. Whisk to combine.
- Step 3 Add the eggs to a separate medium sized bowl. Lightly beat with a whisk. Mix in the melted butter and cooled apple cider. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just moistened to form a sticky dough. Cover and refrigerate until firm enough to shape (about 1 hour).
- Step 4 Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, pat each dough down to a smooth, 1/2-inch thick sheet. Cut out six donuts from each portion of dough using a 3-inch donut cutter. Repeat the process until you have a dozen. For donut holes, break off 1-1/2-inch pieces of dough and roll into a tight ball.
- Step 5 Add approximately 2 inches of oil to an electric skillet or a deep frying pan. If you have a deep fryer with clean oil you can use that too. Heat the oil to 325 degrees. Fry donuts in batches for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the donuts over and fry for an additional 2-3 minutes. For donut holes, fry for 1 minute per side or until cooked through.
- Step 6 Place to donuts on paper towels to remove any excess grease. In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup white sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of cinnamon. Press warm donuts into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Enjoy!
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