Apple Cider Donuts

Ingredients

• 1 cup apple cider
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
• ⅜ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and grated, Macoun or Macintosh
•  canola oil for frying

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, reduce the apple cider to about 3⁄4 cup, about 30 minutes. Set aside and cool to room temperature.

2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices into a medium bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, use a stand mixer to cream together the butter granulated sugar, and brown sugar.

3. Add the eggs one at a time and continue to mix until incorporated. Use a rubber spatula to occasionally scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the condensed apple cider, buttermilk, and vanilla extract, mixing to combine. Add the flour mixture and combine.

4. Gently fold the grated apples into the batter.

5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

6. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface. This dough can be sticky. Use a plastic bench scraper to fold the dough over and flour before cutting doughnuts.

7. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Lightly flour a doughnut cutter and use it to cut out the donuts, then place them onto the prepared baking sheet.

8. Line a baking sheet with several layers of paper towels and set aside.

9. In a large heavy-duty pot, add about 3-inches of canola oil. Heat to a temperature of 350-375 degrees F. Drop about 4 to 5 donuts into the oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until lightly golden brown.

10. Remove the doughnuts from the oil and allow to drain on the paper towels.

Ingredients

• 2-3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the cinnamon sugar; mix well. While the donuts are still warm, sprinkle them with the cinnamon sugar.