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

Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Swirl Snack Cake

This is the last piece of a very special cake my daughter made for me. One year ago (on my 40th birthday), my daughter (14) announced that she would start making my birthday cake every year (happy-happy). She had a bit of trouble frosting that first cake all by herself, so this year she opted for a non-frosted cake. It was a coffee snack cake with a cinnamon and chocolate center, and it was very yummy!

Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Swirl Cake

makes a 9x9 cake pan

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided

• 2 eggs

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 cup sour cream

• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350F.

2. In large bowl, cream butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add one egg at a time, beating well after each.

4. Add vanilla; mix.

5. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream. Beat well to combine.

6. Spread half the mixture in a greased 9x9 cake pan; sprinkle with chocolate chips.

7. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar and sprinkle over chocolate.

8. Top with remaining batter.

9. Bake at 350F for 40-45 minutes.

10. Cool on wire rack.