Welcome to Happylifeblogspot! A food blog with drool worthy recipes
Are you ready for a quick and easy recipe to get dinner on the table in a flash? Well say hello to Apple Cider Pork Chops! Soooo….a few things you’ll absolutely LOVE about this one, it’s on the table in 25 minutes flat, only uses […]
Easy Artichoke Bread makes a great snack for game day, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…or really any day for that matter. This crusty French bread is rich, creamy, and super cheesy or in other words everything you would want an indulgent snack to be! It can be […]
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?
We’d love to hear from you! Leave us your comments and love down below.
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Fall is officially here and I’m ready for all the Fall things like apple picking!!! I’ve been wanting to go for a few years now but either our schedules or the weather hasn’t allowed for it. Growing up I always looked forward to our school […]
Spatchcocked Chicken is not only fun to say it’s fun to make! But just what exactly does that mean? Spatchcocking, also known as the butterfly method, is simply the act of splitting a chicken or any game bird so that it lays flat on the […]
Grilled Stuffed Zucchini makes an excellent side dish. Pair this healthy vegetable with thick and juicy pork chops, tender grilled chicken or just about anything else you can toss over an open flame. It’s hearty enough to forgo the meats all together and can even be served as a meatless main course. Low carb lovers will love this delicious side as a surprising change of pace from the ordinary. These zucchini boats are jam packed with chopped red onion, fresh basil, garlic, and mozzarella and of course everything is better when you toss it on the grill. I’m riding this grilling season out til the very end of summer!
Here’s all you’ll need: zucchini, olive oil, red onion, garlic, bread crumbs, shredded mozzarella, basil, salt and Parmesan cheese.
Just a little bit of prep work and we’ll be ready to go! Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, then scoop out the pup with a spoon. Chop up the pulp but don’t toss it. We’ll be using it to stuff our zucchini. Brush the insides of the zucchini with a 2 teaspoons of olive oil and set them aside.
Chop up the red onion into small pieces. Add 3 teaspoons of olive oil, the red onion and zucchini pulp to a skillet. Saute over medium heat until the onion is tender (about 5-7 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for one minute longer. Then mix in the bread crumbs and cook until golden brown (about another 2-3 minutes).
Remove the zucchini mixture from the heat. Stir in the mozzarella cheese, some minced basil, and salt for flavor. Looking to shake things up a bit? Try swapping cheddar, or your favorite cheese in place of the mozzarella. Or add your favorite herbs, like mint, or oregano in lieu of basil. Recipes should be suited to your tastes so feel free to play around with the flavors!
Spoon the stuffing mixture into the zucchini shells. Give a little sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and we’re ready to grill!
Fire up the grill to medium heat. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 8-10 minute or until the zucchini are tender. Carefully remove to a serving platter. Annnnd……we’re done! Time to eat!!
You can’t have Grilled Stuffed Zucchini without the grill, or can you?!? Too cold to grill. Place the zucchini in a 13X9 baking dish. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
And there you have it! Grilled Stuffed Zucchini is the side dish (or maybe even your whole dinner) that you can feel good about. And even better…..it tastes great too!! Make it a meal? Pairs well with our Best Grilled Pork Chops Marinade or Spatchcocked Chicken!
We’d love to hear from you! Leave us your comments and love down below.
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Looking to shake things up a bit? Peach Mango Caprese Salad offers a lovely twist on the classic tomato and mozzarella dish. Caprese Salad fans will absolutely adore this lil bowl full of summer. The perfect bite holds wonderfully ripe peaches, juicy mango, tangy tomatoes, […]
Raise your hand if you’re enjoying every last bit of summer! We sure are!! And that means getting our fill of all the wonderful summer flavors before the days start getting cooler. Key Lime Cream Pie is the most perfect dessert for June, July, and […]
Summer nights are made for quick and easy dinner recipes. Citrus Steak Salad is the most perfect all in one dinner salad to get the job done. Crunchy greens, tender steak, juicy strawberries, mandarin oranges and a citrusy, made from scratch vinaigrette make for a meal that’s not only beautifully presented but also super satisfying and delicious. This restaurant quality salad will brighten up your dinner menu in a flash. And did I mention it’s not too hard on the waistline either?!? Eating healthy never looked so good!
Here’s all you’ll need: olive oil, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, fresh parsley, honey, garlic, chili sauce, salt, lettuce, strawberries, red onion, mandarin oranges, pecans, and goat cheese.
So watch this…minimal prep work is required for this super easy steak salad! Slice up some strawberries and red onions. You’ll also want to drain the juice from the mandarin oranges and goat cheese. Then set aside these yummy toppings for later.
Alright, alright, alright! Our super simple but amazingly delish made from scratch dressing is up next. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, minced fresh parsley, honey, minced garlic, chili sauce, and salt. Carefully whisk since it’s oil based. No splashing! Another great way to mix this up is to put all the ingredients in a small tupperware with a tight fitting lid and shake until combined. Strong emphasis on the tight fitting lid. 
Give the steak a little sprinkle of salt and pepper to prep and really that’s all you need. The meat will speak for itself. Grill covered, over medium heat for 9-12 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 130 degrees, turning about half way through cooking. Remove from the grill, cover with foil and rest the steak for about 5 minutes before cutting into it. Resting your steak helps to keeps those flavorful juices in your steak and not on plate. Using a sharp knife cut the steak into thin slices.
Now here’s the fun part! Layer the salad greens, strawberries, oranges, and red onion. Top with sliced steak, pecans and goat cheese. Pour on some vinaigrette, grab a fork and enjoy! You’re gonna want Citrus Steak Salad on the table every night. Mmm mmmmm!!! (And that lettuce came straight from my garden too. I’m so proud!)
Trying to keep it light this summer? Then I think you’ll enjoy our Watermelon Cucumber Salad and Homegrown Cucumber Salad too!
We’d love to hear from you! Leave us your comments and love own below.
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Serve up a little slice of sunshine with our White Chocolate Fruit Tart! As summer heats up it’s only natural to crave juicy fruits and refreshing desserts and this beautiful tart is both. This marvelous dessert is super versatile and perfect for brunch, picnics and […]
Hi There! I’m Lisa. I’m a lover of all things crafty, creative, DIY, and delicious!!! Oh yeah and puppies too! I love cooking and baking for my friends and family but especially WITH my friends and family. I show my greatest affection through food. If I cook or bake for you, it means I really like you!
