I figured since I had mastered frying up crabcakes and salmon cakes it was now time to move onto something new...these Apple Cider Doughnuts are a cake doughnut lover's dream!
Ingredients
- 2 red apples (such as cortland or mcintosh)
- 2 1/2 cups of apple cider
- 3 1/2 cups of all purpose white flour
- 4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. baking soda
- 3 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. fresh grated nutmeg
- 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp. shortening
- 1 large egg, plus 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
- vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
1. Core and coarsely chop the apples (leave the peels on!) and combine them with 1 1/2 cups of cider in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cover and cook until softened (about 8-10 minutes), then uncover and cook until apples are tender and the cider is almost completely reduced (about 8 more minutes).
2. Use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a standard blender and puree until smooth. You should have about 1 cup of sauce. Let it cool slightly.
3. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon, salt and nutmeg into a medium bowl.
4. Beat 2/3 cup granulated sugar with the shortening until it creates a sandy texture, then add in the egg and yolk. Once combined start mixing in the applesauce and beat in half of the dry flour mixture. Next add the buttermilk and vanilla and finish with the rest of the dry flour mixture. Mix until it forms a very sticky dough. Don't overmix or the doughnuts will become tough.
5. Scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper and pat it into a 7x11 rectangle, about 1/2 an inch thick. Cover with another sheet of paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
6. While the dough is chilling you can make the glaze. Simmer the remaining cup of cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until it reduces to about 1/4 cup. Whisk in the confectioner's sugar until the glaze is glossy, then set it aside. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining cup of granulated sugar and 2 tsp. of cinnamon and set aside for topping.
7. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until a deep fry thermometer reads 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with paper towels, then cut the dough into 12 rounds. I realized we don't have a biscuit cutter, so I just used a drinking glass, then carved out the little doughnut holes with a paring knife. In order to make 12 doughnuts, you'll need to re-work and re-roll out your dough two or three times, just like you would if you were cutting out cookies.
8. You are now ready to fry your doughnuts! Gently place 3 doughnuts at a time (depending on the size of your pot) into the oil. Be very careful not to splatter your fingers with oil! I used a spatula to lower and turn the doughnuts in the oil. The doughnuts fry up very quickly - about 2 minutes per side. Transfer them to the paper towels to drain once they are cooked.
I also fried up some doughnut holes - can't waste those and they're so easy to eat!
9. Ok, your last step is to dip each side of the doughnut in your glaze, then toss them in the cinnamon sugar. Place them on a CLEAN paper-toweled baking sheet to set (about 5 minutes or so), then enjoy! They are amazing warm and cold...and dangerously addicting, so look out! The recipe makes a dozen doughnuts and I got about 16 doughnut holes out of the dough.
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