Description
These irresistible Apple Cider Donuts are coated in a delicious cinnamon sugar crust and offer a perfect balance of sweet and spice. Made with reduced apple cider for a concentrated flavor, these fried donuts are tender, flavorful, and perfect for a cozy fall treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Coating
- Additional sugar mixed with ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Reduce Apple Cider: Heat the apple cider in a saucepan over medium heat until it reduces by half, concentrating the flavor. Allow it to cool slightly before use.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the reduced apple cider, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up for easier handling.
- Shape Donuts: On a lightly floured surface, roll out chilled dough to about ½ inch thickness. Cut into donut shapes using a donut cutter or two round cutters.
- Fry Donuts: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large heavy skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry donuts in batches until golden brown on both sides, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer fried donuts to paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Coat Donuts: While donuts are still warm, toss them in a mixture of sugar and ground cinnamon to create the cinnamon sugar crust. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the dough to keep your donuts light and fluffy.
- If you don’t have a donut cutter, use two round cutters of different sizes to create a donut shape.
- Ensure the oil temperature stays around 350°F to avoid greasy or undercooked donuts.
- Store leftover donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat gently before serving.
- For a more intense apple flavor, use fresh apple cider rather than concentrate or juice.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple cider donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, fried donuts, fall dessert, apple spice donuts
