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5 from 3 votes

Old Fashioned Apple Cider Donuts

By Britney
Prep: 45 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 2 hours
Servings: 12 donuts
apple cider donuts on a tray with fresh apples.
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These old-fashioned apple cider donuts are made with reduced apple cider and buttermilk, all rolled in delicious cinnamon sugar coating, Every bite of these cake donuts is a taste of fall!

Equipment

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Ingredients 

  • 2 Granny Smith Apples, (peeled and slice)
  • 4 cups Apple Cider
  • 1 Cinnamon Stick
  • 3 tbsps Salted Butter, (room temperature)
  • 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 3 large Egg Yolks, (room temperature)
  • 4 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 4 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1 tbsp Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Ground Ginger
  • 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Cloves
  • 1/4 cup Apple Butter
  • 1/3 cup Sour Cream
  • 4-5 cups Vegetable Oil

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • 1 1/2 cups Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Cloves

Instructions 

  • Make the apple concentrate - peel and slice the apples. Add apple cider, apples, and a cinnamon stick to a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook down until there's a 1/2 cup of liquid left (I like to strain the apples from the concentrate to make sure it's exactly a 1/2 cup). Set aside and allow the mixture to cool completely. (It's helpful to drain the apples from the concentrate into a measuring cup to ensure that you have
  • Cream the butter and sugar: While the cider is cooling, add butter and brown sugar to a large bowl. Use an electric hand mixer and cream together for 3 minutes, then add vanilla extract and egg yolks. (The mixture may split a bit, this is OK)
  • Combine the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
  • Add apple butter and sour cream to the cooled apple cider concentrate. Whisk together until combined.
  • Add half of the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture. Use a flat spatula to fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Then add all of the apple cider mixture and apples and mix until combined.
  • Add the remaining dry ingredients and fold together until a smooth and thick batter forms, about 20-30 seconds. Be sure not to overmix, stop as soon as all of the flour is fully incorporated.
  • Rest the dough: Cover with plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator for 2 hours, up to overnight.
  • Cut the dough: Add dough to a lightly floured work surface and roll out until 1/2 inch thickness. Use a donut cutter and cut 3-inch circles out of the dough, then punch out a smaller circle in the middle. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and add to the refrigerator until the oil is at temp.
  • Heat the oil: Add vegetable oil to a large pan and heat to 350-370 degrees F.
  • Prep the sugar coating: Combine sugar, cinnamon, and cloves in a bowl.
  • Fry the donuts: Fry the donuts, about 2 at a time, for 2-3 minutes per side and place onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
  • Coat the donuts: Dip the donut into the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring both sides are coated. Repeat for the remaining dough.

Nutrition

Calories: 459kcal, Carbohydrates: 96g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 58mg, Sodium: 388mg, Potassium: 230mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 55g, Vitamin A: 219IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 145mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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