I have never, ever in my life attempted to make doughnuts so the whole process of making Apple Cider Doughnuts was a real experience!  Yes, it’s a little bit time-consuming but if you have the time and the patience, these are worth making, especially if you are having a guest or two over.  The intense apple taste is a result of cooking apples and apple cider until they are reduced down which concentrates their flavor.  Cinnamon and nutmeg are added to the dough to give these doughnuts a hint of warmth.  These doughnuts are apple-y, soft, chewy and sweet.  Yes, these are indulgent but they are so special and so tasty, they are worth making, even if it’s just once a year!

The ingredients:

Cook together apple cider and chopped apples in a pot until reduced, then puree.

In a bowl, combine together the dry ingredients.

In a separate bowl, mix together sugar and vegetable shortening.

Beat in eggs and reduced apple mixture.

Add in dry ingredients, buttermilk, and vanilla until thoroughly combined.

Pat dough onto a cookie sheet until 1/2 inch thick and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.  Then cut chilled dough into rounds using a donut cutter or biscuit cutter.

Heat vegetable oil in a pot until a thermometer reads 350ºF.  Add doughnuts two or three at a time, flipping once until golden brown (I used a kitchen spider to flip them but a metal slotted spoon will work too).

Don’t forget the doughnut holes!

Place doughnuts on a paper towel to drain and when cool enough to handle, dip the top of the doughnuts into more reduced-apple cider and cinnamon-sugar.

Enjoy!

Additions:  None

Omissions:  None

Substitutions:  None

Overall Rating:  Love It

Source:  Food Network

♥ Miss you, Dad ♥