Apple Cider Donuts

I live in apple country and Apple Cider Donuts are a regional favorite. They can be purchased at many local establishments, but this NYTimes recipe is excellent and I can a dozen donuts for the same price as buying just 2 at a local orchard. Give them a try and discover for yourself why apple cider donuts are so popular.

Note: you can make this recipe with ground nutmeg from your pantry, but I highly recommend grinding the nutmeg fresh — it makes all the difference.

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• donut pan(s) https://amzn.to/3wIlVl9

• pure vanilla extract https://amzn.to/3DnJkvZ

• Baker’s Joy baking spray https://amzn.to/3DsuvZ6

• whole nutmeg https://amzn.to/3DnIGP5

• microplane grater https://amzn.to/3HFTwlX

• large disposable pastry bag https://amzn.to/3JsNJ4n

• pastry brush https://amzn.to/40haz4Z

• mini electric donut maker https://amzn.to/3RgHym9

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Apple Cider Donuts

makes 12

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

Donuts:

• 1 3/4 (225g) cups all purpose flour

• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 3/4 teaspoon fine table salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

• 3/4 cup light brown sugar

• 1/4 cup white granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup apple cider

Topping:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar

Directions

To Make the Donuts:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and place rack in center position.

2. Prepare donut pan(s) with nonstick baking spray like Baker’s Joy.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; set aside.

4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, light brown sugar, and white granulated sugar until light in color and fluffy in texture.

5. Add the eggs, one at a time, until each in fully incorporated; scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

6. Add the flour mixture and mix until no traces of dry ingredients remain.

7. With the mixer on medium-low speed, add the pure vanilla extract and apple cider and mix; scrape the sides of the bowl as needed, until the mixture is homogeneous.

8. Pour the batter into a very large disposable pastry bag or a gallon-size freezer bag (see notes below); clip a 1/2-inch opening in the bag and fill each donut pan(s) about 2/3s full with the batter.

9. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

10. Remove from oven and rest for 5 minutes before dipping in melted butter and cinnamon sugar mixture.

To Finish the Donuts:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar and ground cinnamon.

2. Brush warm donuts in melted butter and immediately toss in cinnamon sugar mixture.

Notes

1. I strongly recommend using freshly grated nutmeg for this recipe. Whole nutmeg will keep indefinitely in a cool dry place. I keep mine in a glass jar and grate it as needed using a microplane grater.

2. For the most mess-free way to fill the donut pan(s), use a very large disposable pastry bag (at least 18-inches) or a gallon-size zip top FREEZER bag (storage bag seams tend to break). Place the pastry bag in a tall vase to fill.

3. To make apple cider muffins, bake batter for 15-20 minutes in a standard muffin pan instead (this pan is my favorite) — recipe will make 12 muffins.

4. To make mini donuts, use an electric donut maker.

5. I prefer to use a silicone pastry brush over a standard one when dealing with greasy/oily ingredients because I find it easier to clean the silicone bristles.

adapted from nytimes.com

Freezer-Friendly Apple Crisp

This apple crisp recipe can be prepped and frozen for up to 9 months — when you’re ready to enjoy it, just pop it into a hot oven, straight from the freezer. It’ll be ready to serve in about an hour. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and your’ll be in apple crisp heaven.

Pile the prepared apples in a pan. You can bake this recipe in a standard baking dish, but when I’m making it to store in the freezer, I like to use disposable “half size” foil pans so I can keep my glass and ceramic baking dishes available for use in the kitchen. I cut the apples about 1/8-inch thick and 1 inch or so wide so they fit easily on a fork or spoon.

Fun fact - when consuming something that can be eaten with either a spoon or a fork, I’m team spoon.

The topping is easily stirred together and spread evenly over the apples.

Seal the pan well with heavy duty aluminum foil and label with date and cooking instructions. If you don’t have heavy duty foil, use a double layer of regular foil and crimp it well.

Bake as directed and enjoy!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• my favorite apple peeler https://amzn.to/3HsvdVw

• disposable “half size” foil pans https://amzn.to/3eCIUoz

• 9x13 casserole dish https://amzn.to/34aVZnf

• heavy duty foil https://amzn.to/3FMcHY6

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Freezer Friendly Apple Crisp

makes one 9x13 casserole dish

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 pounds apples, peeled and sliced thin (golden delicious or gala)

• 2 cups all purpose flour

• 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)

• 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F and coat 9x13 baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

2. Place sliced apples in prepared pan, spreading into an even layer.

3. Make the crisp topping by stirring together the remaining ingredients until no dry ingredients remain and clumps start to form.

4. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apples.

5. Seal pan with heavy duty foil or double layer or regular foil.

6. Bake immediately for 30-40 minutes. From frozen, bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncovered for 30-40 minutes more.

Notes

• Slice apples 1/8-inch thick and about 1-inch wide.

• I suggest using apple varieties that hold their shape well during baking and have a light, sweet flavor (such as golden delicious or gala). The only sugar in this recipe is found in the crumb topping so I avoid using tart apple varieties (like Granny Smith).

• I like to make multiple batches all at once and use disposable half size, deep, steam table pans for storage in the freezer (equivalent to a 9x13 pan). Sometimes the pans come with covers, otherwise cover with a layer of heavy duty foil (or a double layer of regular foil).

• When serving warm, I like to top with vanilla ice cream. When serving cold, I like to top with freshly whipped cream.