It snowed for the first time of the season this morning. While my husband and daughter (and even the dog!) greet the arrival of snow with delight, I think I would rather have cramps than see snow. Immediately, my depression rating shot up several points and I dug out my fleece sweatpants. Then I realized we were out of coffee.
Any day that starts of like this has to be mended with baked goods. And since we can now officially think of it as winter, no matter what the calender says, I have run out of time to make apple cider donuts. It’s today or never. So sorry laundry, dirty floors, a really atrociously filthy guinea pig cage. Momma needs to get her donut fix on. These do take up most of the day to make. I suggest making a big pot of soup at the same time for karmic balance.
ingredients for donuts:
adapted from the food network
- 3 c. apple cider
- 3 & 1/2 c. unbleached flour
- 4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. baking soda
- 1 & 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp.nutmeg
- 2/3 c. sugar
- 3 tbl. vegetable shortening
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 c. buttermilk
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- vegetable oil for frying
ingredients for glaze:
- 1/4 -1/2 c. milk
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 c. confectioner’s sugar
First, reduce your apple cider. Bring it to a gentle simmer in a medium saucepan and simmer until it is reduced to 1 cup. Remove from heat and set aside to cool a bit.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg in a bowl. Set aside.
Beat shortening and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed until you have coarse crumbs.
Beat in egg and egg yolk, then gradually add apple cider. Mix in half the flour mixture. Add buttermilk and vanilla. Add the rest of the flour mixture. You will have a very sticky dough.
Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper and flour the paper. Turn out dough onto the parchment paper and spread out. If too sticky to spread, cover top of dough with a light dusting of flour and cover with parchment paper. Flatten the dough under the paper with your hands. Place baking sheet in the freezer for a half hour.
When dough is ready, fill a large pot with 3″ of vegetable oil and heat to 350°. Take top parchment paper off the donuts. Use a glass to cut out donuts. Use a shot glass or kids medicine cup to cut out the holes. I used a small glass, so I used the suction end of a turkey baster to cut the holes. If they get stuck in there, just blow through the other end. Reshape the scraps and cut out more donuts and holes. Get a baking sheet lined thickly with paper towels ready.
Place 2-3 donuts at a time into the oil. Cook for about a minute, until they turn brown, then flip over and cook the other side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place onto the paper towels. Repeat with all the donuts and holes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Mix confectioner’s sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Add 1/4 c. milk and whisk together. Add up to another 1/4 c. of milk to get to a good consistency for dipping. Dip donuts into the glaze and place back on wire rack. Let cool slightly then eat.
they look yummy!