Apple Cider Donuts

It's the time of year for apple cider, scarves, blankets, hot chocolate, lazy mornings.. and warm donuts!

Do you like fresh donuts on a cold weekend morning? Do you want to be able to stay home in your pj's and make them yourself?

Well, you're in luck! Chances are you have some apple cider in your fridge right now, or you have some apples sitting on your counter that you're saving for a healthy afternoon snack you can reach for instead of that leftover Halloween candy (me too, friends, me too). But if you really want to put these items to good use, get creative, and make something so good that you'll literally hear your stomach whisper "thank you", then follow the instructions below!

Apple Cider Ingredients:

2 apples (I like Honeycrisp) peeled and quartered

2 tbs agave, honey, or any sweetener you like

1/4 orange, peeled, or 1/4 cup orange juice

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

2 cups warm water

Apple Cider Instructions:

Add all ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

Strain if necessary, and heat or cool to desired temperature.

Make sure to save some for the donut recipe!

Donut Ingredients:

1 cup white sugar (for coating)

1 tbs cinnamon (for coating)

1 cup white sugar

1 1/2 cups apple cider

3 3/4 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 egg yolk, lightly beaten

6 cups canola oil for frying

Donut Instructions:

Mix 1 cup sugar and 1 tbs cinnamon together in a resealable bag or a wide rimmed bowl.

Bring apple cider to a boil in a saucepan; cook until cider has reduced to 1/2 cup. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat and cool.

Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, 2 tsp cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. Mix butter, eggs, egg yolk, and cooled cider together in a separate bowl until smooth. Stir into flour mixture. Add the remaining 2 3/4 cup flour into the mixture and stir until smooth. Refrigerate dough for 10 minutes or overnight.

Heat oil in a large, deep pot to 375 degrees. Use a thermometer if you have one.

Roll out dough onto a well floured surface to about 1/2 inch thickness. Cut dough into rounds using a donut cutter, cookie cutters, or the rim of a drinking glass and lid from a milk jug (see picture). Continue rolling out dough and cutting to get as many donuts as possible.

Carefully place donuts into hot oil; 2 - 3 at a time. Fry until donuts rise to the surface and begin to brown. This takes about 2 - 3 minutes. Flip donuts and continue frying until opposite side is browned; about 1 - 2 minutes.

Remove donuts with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel lined surface to cool until you can touch them without burning your hands. Toss the cooled donuts in the cinnamon sugar mixture and enjoy!

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