These apple cider donuts are soft, fluffy, and full of fall flavor! With sweet apple cider and warm spices, they are perfect for a cozy day.
Whenever I make them, the smell is just heavenly. I love enjoying these fresh out of the oven with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. They’re the ultimate treat! 🍏🍩
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apple Cider: The star ingredient! Fresh apple cider adds a lovely depth of flavor. If you don’t have it, you can use apple juice, but it’s less intense.
All-Purpose Flour: This flour gives the donuts structure. For a gluten-free option, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. I prefer a blend that includes xanthan gum.
Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth. You can switch these out for pumpkin spice mix if you have it on hand. I sometimes add a pinch of allspice for more depth!
Buttermilk: Provides moisture and tenderness. If you don’t have buttermilk, mix regular milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Vegetable Oil: Essential for frying. Olive oil is a lighter option, but avoid using oils with strong flavors like coconut. I recommend using canola oil for its neutral taste.
How Do I Get My Donuts to Fry Evenly?
Frying can be tricky, but I’ve got tips to help you achieve perfectly golden donuts. Firstly, always heat your oil to 350°F (175°C). Too hot and they’ll cook too fast outside but remain raw inside; too cold and they’ll soak up too much oil.
- Use a thermometer for accuracy.
- Fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature.
- Carefully lower the donuts into the oil; don’t drop them in to avoid splattering.
- Turn them once they float to ensure even cooking.
Patience is key; let them fry without fussing too much. Enjoy the process and the delicious smell filling your kitchen!
How to Make Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Donuts:
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 4 cups)
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons melted butter (for coating)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious recipe takes about 30 minutes of active prep time, plus an hour of chilling. After that, it takes around 20 minutes to fry the donuts. You’ll spend a few of those minutes savoring the delightful smell filling your kitchen!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Reduce the Apple Cider:
Start by pouring the apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat and let it simmer until it reduces down to about ¼ cup. This typically takes around 15-20 minutes. Once it’s done, set it aside to cool.
2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Make sure there are no clumps!
3. Mix Sugars and Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs. Beat this mixture until it’s smooth and slightly fluffy to help incorporate air.
4. Add Liquids:
Now, stir in the buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and the cooled reduced apple cider into the sugar and egg mixture. Mix until everything is well combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture. Stir gently until everything is just combined—be careful not to overmix!
6. Chill the Dough:
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour. This will help firm up the dough, making it easier to handle when you’re ready to shape the donuts.
7. Prepare the Frying Oil:
In a deep pot or fryer, pour the vegetable oil to a depth of about 2-3 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer for the best results!
8. Roll Out and Cut Donuts:
On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about ½ inch thickness. Use a donut cutter or two round cutters (one large for the outer shape and one smaller for the hole) to cut out your donuts. Don’t forget to gather the scraps, reroll, and cut out additional donuts!
9. Fry the Donuts:
Carefully drop a few donuts into the hot oil at a time, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry each side until golden brown, which usually takes about 1 to 2 minutes. Cook the donut holes for about 30 seconds.
10. Drain and Coat:
Once fried, use a slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to a paper towel-lined tray to drain excess oil.
11. Coat in Cinnamon Sugar:
While they’re still warm, brush each donut with melted butter and roll them in a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until well coated.
12. Serve:
Enjoy your homemade apple cider donuts warm! They pair wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee, making for a perfect fall treat!
These donuts are soft, flavorful, and will remind you of those cozy autumn days. Happy baking!
Can I Use Store-Bought Apple Cider Instead of Making My Own?
Absolutely! Store-bought apple cider works perfectly in this recipe. Just make sure it’s a good quality cider for the best flavor. If using apple juice, keep in mind it will be sweeter, so you may want to reduce the sugar slightly.
What If I Don’t Have Buttermilk?
No worries! You can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to ½ cup of regular milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, and you’ll have a perfect buttermilk replacement!
Can I Bake These Donuts Instead of Frying Them?
Yes, you can! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the batter in a greased donut pan. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. They might be slightly different in texture compared to fried donuts, but still delicious!
How Do I Store Leftover Donuts?
Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, consider freezing them. Just wrap each donut individually and place them in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy!
