Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Pour the apple cider into a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the cider reduces to about ¼ cup. This takes roughly 8-10 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes with an electric mixer. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the cooled reduced apple cider and vanilla extract until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined – don’t overwork the dough.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and pat it to about ½-inch thickness. Use round cutters to cut out donuts, re-rolling scraps as needed.
- Heat oil in a heavy pot to 375°F (190°C). Carefully drop 2-3 donuts at a time into the hot oil. Fry for about 1 minute per side until golden brown.
- Remove donuts with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. While still warm, toss in cinnamon sugar or glaze as desired.
Notes
- Don’t skip reducing the cider – this step creates the signature apple flavor
- Keep your oil temperature steady at 375°F for evenly cooked donuts
- Test one donut first to check cooking time and temperature
- Work quickly when cutting the dough to prevent it from becoming tough
- Save the donut holes – they make great bite-sized treats
- Fresh nutmeg makes a noticeable difference in flavor
- Let the reduced cider cool completely before adding to prevent curdling
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg