Embrace the cozy essence of autumn with these irresistible **Apple Cider Donuts**! Crafted from scratch using rich homemade apple sauce, each tender donut is generously dipped in a fragrant apple cider glaze and then coated in sweet cinnamon sugar. This homemade delight is not just a dessert; it’s an essential fall experience, promising warmth and deliciousness with every single bite. Get ready to make your kitchen smell like an apple orchard!
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Calling all donut enthusiasts! If you find yourself captivated by the allure of these incredible Apple Cider Donuts, be sure to explore my extensive collection of donut recipes for more delicious inspiration. And for those who simply can’t get enough of apple-infused treats this season, don’t miss these 15 Apple Recipes You’ll Want to Make Every Fall, guaranteed to satisfy all your autumnal cravings.
With fall officially in full swing, it’s the perfect time to dive headfirst into all those comforting, seasonal recipes we adore. While pumpkin often claims the spotlight, and rightfully so – I’m a huge pumpkin fan too – I firmly believe that apple deserves an equally prominent place in our autumn culinary adventures. There’s something undeniably magical about the crisp air, the changing leaves, and the sweet, tangy aroma of apples baking.
I’m wholeheartedly embracing the seasonal shift and eagerly welcoming all things apple into my kitchen. From classic pies to innovative desserts, apples bring a unique freshness and versatility that perfectly complements the cozy vibes of fall. So, let’s celebrate the abundance of apple season and infuse our homes with the irresistible scent of these delightful fruit-filled creations!
A Sweet Discovery: “Sweet” from Food Network Magazine
Before we dive deep into the world of apples, donuts, and all things fall, let’s take a moment to appreciate the magic of cookbooks! I recently unearthed a gem that I’m incredibly excited to share with you all, and it has absolutely transformed my fall baking.
For years, I was an avid subscriber to various food magazines. However, once children entered the picture, my free time quickly dwindled, and sadly, many of those subscriptions had to go. Yet, Food Network Magazine always held a special place in my heart, and even now, its vibrant covers at the grocery store checkout never fail to entice me.
Given my long-standing affection for the magazine, I was absolutely thrilled when I learned that its editors were compiling the very best sweet recipes from their archives into a dedicated cookbook. It was an instant purchase for me – no convincing needed! This book quickly became a cherished addition to my kitchen library.
What I particularly love about “Sweet” is its incredible variety. It features a fantastic range of recipes, from delightfully simple treats perfect for a weeknight craving to more complex projects that make for impressive special occasion desserts. A huge bonus is that every single recipe is accompanied by a beautiful photograph, which, as any baker knows, is always a major plus for inspiration and guidance.
But beyond all that, these particular apple cider donuts alone justify the entire cookbook. Finding a recipe that delivers such authentic fall flavor and perfect texture is a rare treasure, and this book delivered exactly that. It’s a true testament to the editors’ expertise in curating the most delectable sweet recipes.
The Quintessential Fall Treat: Apple Cider Donuts
Few things capture the essence of autumn quite like a visit to an apple orchard, perhaps followed by a warm, fresh apple cider donut. For years, I embarked on a quest for that elusive “perfect” apple cider donut, trying countless varieties from bakeries and farm stands. Much to my delight, I finally discovered it – right here in my own kitchen!
Indeed, these donuts are every bit as magnificent as they sound. They boast a wonderfully tender crumb, a comforting sweetness, and precisely the right balance of invigorating apple cider flavor. It’s that delicate dance between sweet and subtly tangy that truly sets them apart, making them an unparalleled seasonal indulgence.
Don’t let the thought of making your own donuts at home intimidate you. Many assume homemade donuts are a complex endeavor, but this recipe is surprisingly straightforward. It doesn’t require any yeast, which often makes people nervous, simplifying the process considerably. While they do involve a bit of time – mostly for chilling the dough, which is crucial for texture – I genuinely believe they are quite easy to master. The reward of sinking your teeth into a warm, freshly made apple cider donut is well worth the effort, and you’ll quickly discover that homemade truly is best.
Do You Need a Deep Fryer to Make Donuts? Frying Techniques
A common misconception is that a dedicated deep fryer is essential for achieving perfectly fried donuts. The truth is, you absolutely do not need one! While a deep fryer can certainly simplify the process of maintaining a consistent oil temperature, it’s far from a requirement. In fact, despite owning a deep fryer, I often prefer to fry my donuts in more traditional kitchenware.
My top choices for frying donuts are either a sturdy cast iron skillet or a reliable Dutch oven. The key is to use a heavy-bottomed pot that can effectively retain heat, which is crucial for keeping your oil temperature stable throughout the frying process. Cast iron, in particular, excels at this, providing even heat distribution and holding warmth remarkably well. This helps ensure that your donuts cook evenly to a beautiful golden brown without becoming greasy. Just be sure to use a good thermometer to monitor your oil temperature, and you’ll achieve professional-level results right in your home kitchen.
Essential Tips for Making These Apple Cider Donuts Flawlessly
To ensure your homemade apple cider donuts turn out perfectly every time, keep these crucial tips in mind:
- Choosing Your Apples: While the original recipe suggests Cortland or McIntosh, I often use Gala apples simply because they are always on hand and work beautifully. Feel free to use your favorite red apple, but I recommend opting for a sweeter variety over a tart one to maintain the desired flavor balance in the donuts.
- Intensifying Apple Flavor: The rich apple flavor in these donuts comes primarily from the reduced apple cider, which is incorporated into both the donut dough and the glaze. Do not skip this crucial reduction step! It concentrates the cider’s essence, ensuring your donuts truly taste like apple cider and not just sweet fried dough.
- Managing Sticky Dough: This dough is inherently sticky, and you might initially worry you’ve made a mistake. Rest assured, this is perfectly normal. Trust the process! Refrigerating the dough overnight is absolutely essential; it significantly helps firm it up and makes it much easier to handle. When you’re ready to roll, be generous with flouring your work surface, your rolling pin, and even your hands. However, resist the urge to add extra flour directly into the dough during mixing, as this will lead to tougher, less tender donuts.
- Frying in Cast Iron: If you’re using a cast iron skillet for frying, ensure you maintain a sufficient depth of oil – at least 2 inches. This prevents the donuts from touching the bottom of the pan and sticking, allowing them to float and cook evenly all around for that perfect golden hue.
- Glaze Quantity: You will find that you have just enough of the apple cider glaze to coat all your donuts and donut holes. Don’t be surprised if you’re scraping the bottom of the pan by the end, but you should have precisely the right amount for a perfect finish.
- Best Served Warm: These apple cider donuts are undeniably at their peak when served warm, fresh from the frying pan. The soft texture and vibrant flavors truly shine. While they remain delicious throughout the day, like most homemade donuts, they tend to become a bit stale over time. For any leftovers, store them covered loosely rather than airtight to help maintain some freshness.
More Apple Recipes to Celebrate Fall
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a bounty of delicious apple recipes. Beyond these incredible apple cider donuts, here are a few more of my absolute favorite autumnal apple creations that you simply must try:
- These Apple Cinnamon Muffins are an ideal choice for a cozy fall morning, generously dotted with tender apple pieces and crowned with a delightful cinnamon crumb topping. They’re a perfect companion to your morning coffee or tea.
- I truly can’t imagine a fall season without indulging in this Caramel Apple Crisp at least once! Its warm, bubbling apple filling, rich caramel swirls, and buttery oat topping make it the ultimate comforting dessert.
- This Apple Cinnamon Cake is a showstopper all on its own, but it reaches new heights of deliciousness when paired with a drizzle of warm caramel sauce and a dollop of airy cinnamon whipped cream!
- If I were forced to choose just one pie to enjoy for the rest of my life, it would undoubtedly be this unique and incredibly flavorful Sour Cream Apple Pie. The tanginess of the sour cream perfectly balances the sweetness of the apples, creating an unforgettable dessert experience.
- For the ultimate fall breakfast experience, these Apple Pancakes with Caramel Apple Syrup are absolute winners! Fluffy, apple-infused pancakes drenched in a luxurious caramel apple syrup will make any morning feel like a special occasion.
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Apple Cider Doughnuts
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Ingredients
For the donuts:
- 2 medium red apples*
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
- 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Vegetable oil or other high heat neutral oil, for frying
For the glaze:
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
For the cinnamon sugar topping:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Core the apples. Peel if desired (but not required). Coarsely chop and place in a saucepan. Add the 1 1/2 cups of apple cider and turn the heat on to medium heat. Cover the pan and cook until the apples start to soften, about 8-10 minutes.
- Uncover the pan and continue to cook until the cider is reduced, about 15 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender or remove to a blender and puree until smooth. Return to the pan and the heat and continue to cook down until you have 1 cup of sauce. Cool slightly.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, combine the sugar and the shortening and mix with a mixer on medium speed until the mixture looks sandy. Beat the egg and egg yolk into the sugar mixture. Add the applesauce and mix, scraping the bowl as needed.
- Add half of the flour mixture and mix until combined, then add the buttermilk and vanilla, mixing to combine. Add the remaining flour and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap on a baking sheet. Pour the dough out onto the center of the plastic wrap. With floured or wet hands, pat the dough into a 7×11-inch rectangle. The dough will be sticky. Use the plastic wrap to wrap the dough, then transfer the dough on the baking sheet to the refrigerator to chill overnight.
- When you are ready to make the donuts, heat 2 inches of oil in a deep pot or heavy, tall sided skillet. Heat the oil to 350ºF.
- Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set aside.
- In a small pot, start the glaze. Place the 1 cup of apple cider in the pot and cook over medium heat until it is reduced to about 1/4 cup. Whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth. Keep warm.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the 1/2 cup sugar and the 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Flour your counter or work surface, then turn the dough out onto the surface. The dough will still be sticky, so use extra flour as needed to keep it from sticking. Roll the dough until it is a 9×12-inch rectangle.
- Use a 3-inch round cutter to cut 12 donuts. Use a 1-inch round cutter for the centers.
- When the oil is hot, add 2-3 donuts to the hot oil at a time, frying until they are golden brown, then flipping to cook the second side. You will cook them about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the donuts to the paper towel lined baking sheet and continue with the remaining donuts, including the donut holes.
- When the donuts are cool enough to handle, dip the tops into the glaze and then into the cinnamon sugar.
- Serve the donuts warm. Store any leftover donuts lightly covered.
Recipe Notes:
*The original recipe calls for Cortland or McIntosh apples. I usually use Gala because that is what we always have on hand.
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.
We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% of oil after cooking. The exact amount may vary depending on cook time and temperature, ingredient density, and the specific type of oil used.