If you’re looking for another amazing cinnamon-sugar coated treat, be sure to try my Homemade Churros and Snickerdoodles!
Apple Cider Donuts
We are lucky to leave near some apple orchards that we visit every fall. One of our options is near Sacramento, CA in an area known as Apple Hill. There are lots of orchards there and each fall you can go there for apple picking and apple goodies like pies, syrups, cider, and these delicious donuts with the cinnamon sugar mixture that the whole family is obsessed with. Fall recipes with apples, pumpkins, and pears have amazing fall flavors like maple, caramel, apple pie spice, and cinnamon that pair so well together. These fresh donuts with the apples and cinnamon are no exception and the perfect fall treat! Nothing beats a fresh apple cider donut! Unlike baked donuts that use a donut pan, these apple cider donuts are fried. While I don’t often fry things at home, I made an exception for these apple cider donuts because I wanted to recreate them as best I could and I knew a baked version just wouldn’t cut it. Donuts are actually pretty easy to make. It’s a simple dough that needs a little refrigeration time since it’s so soft, then it’s just a few minutes on each side in some hot oil and voila – homemade apple cider donuts, fresh and ready for eating!
Apple Cider Donut Ingredients
Apples – You will want to peel, core, and chop the apples. Envy, honey crisp, granny smith, or pink lady apples are all great for this recipe. Apple cider – Make sure to use real apple cider, if you can find it. It will give an even stronger apple flavor than just apple juice. All purpose flour Sugar Large Eggs Salted butter Buttermilk – Adds lightness and tenderness to the donuts when reacting with the baking soda. To make your own buttermilk stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar for every one cup of milk. Baking powder Spices – Warm spices like ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg pair perfectly with apple recipes like this one. Baking soda Salt Vanilla extract Vegetable oil for deep frying
How to Make Homemade Apple Cider Donuts
How to Make Apple Cider Glaze
Making apple cider glaze for apple cider donuts is super easy and provides a delicious exterior coating if you want something different than just the cinnamon sugar. The reduced apple cider is one step that takes a little time but it will really enhance the apple flavor of the donuts more than if you just used straight apple cider or apple juice. You will be glad you did this extra step when you take your first bite into these warm apple cider donuts and they will be the best donuts you have ever had! In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups powdered sugar and 2-4 tablespoons of apple cider. You can make the glaze thicker by adding more powdered sugar or thin it out with a little more cider until you reach a consistency you like. Dip the donuts into the glaze, then transfer back to the wire rack for 10-15 minutes so the glaze can set.
Tips for Making the Best Apple Cider Donuts
Work with cold dough. This dough is very soft and very sticky, which creates light, fluffy donuts but can be difficult to work with. Keeping the dough cold help combat some of that, as does using plenty of flour when patting out and cutting out the doughnuts. Enjoy them fresh. Like most fried foods, these donuts are best enjoyed the day they are made. But they will keep in an airtight container for a few days. Try a glaze! Another way to boost your apple cider flavor is to glaze the donuts with an apple cider glaze rather than opting to go the cinnamon sugar route. I’m including both options in the recipe for you to choose from, but the photos are of the classic Apple Hill approach that my husband loves of cinnamon sugar coating on the outside of the crispy, apple-fragrant donut.
More Donut Recipes
Old-Fashioned Sour Cream Doughnuts Carrot Cake Baked Donuts with Cream Cheese Glaze New Orleans Beignets Homemade Churros
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Paczki (Jelly Donuts)
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Apple Fritter Donuts
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