This Orlando girl misses fall. To me, the best part of fall is the apples (besides going back to school. Yes, I have always been nerdy!) Apple picking and fair foods like apple strudel and hot apple cider bred nostalgia. Here in Florida it is hot and summery. So I celebrate the next best way I know how- baking with apples.
These apple cider donut holes are AH-mazing! Alone they are delicious but filled…..it just hits different. The whole batch was gone in less than 24 hours and that’s even without the hubby home to help. (He was out of town but has requested a new batch upon his return. sigh. My waistline has been so patient.)
Apple Cider Donut Holes
Equipment
- cooking thermometer
- Rolling Pin
- biscuit cutters
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider
- 6 tbsp butter room temperature
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 1/2 - 4 cups all purpose flour
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- oil for frying
sugar coating
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Bring apple cider to a boil then simmer until reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Cream the butter and add sugar.
- Add eggs and vanilla. Mix.
- Add the cooled cider. Mix thoroughly.
- Add all of the spices. Mix.
- Add 3 1/2 cups of flour, baking powder and baking soda. Slowly stir together and add more flour if too sticky. Knead dough for 5 minutes.
- Heat oil to 350F.
- Meanwhile, roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with 1 inch circle cutters.
- Mix together 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside next to a papertowel lined plate. This will be for after you pull the donuts from frying.
- Gently drop 5-6 donuts into the hot oil and let fry until golden and floating (about one minute). Flip over with tongs and cook another minute before pulling and resting on the papertowel lined plate. Place 5-6 more donut holes in the oil. While the second batch fries, roll the first batch in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat. Set aside. Repeat until all the donut holes are cooked.
Nutrition
Okay, now is the hard part: once you have the donut holes, you have to decide which flavor filling you’re going to use. Or you could make them all. Don’t worry, I have an idea for the leftovers….
Apple Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 2 medium granny smith apples diced into 1/2" cubes
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp butter unsalted
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Over medium low heat, cook down all ingredient, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Salted Caramel Filling
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 10 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Over medium heat, melt the butter, syrup and sugar. Bring to a simmer and let thicken, about 5-8 minutes.
- Add the cream and continue simmering until it begins to thicken more, about 10 minutes.
- Take off the heat. Add salt and vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly and let cool, about 20 minutes. It will thicken even more.
- Try not to eat with a spoon. Enjoy!!
Nutrition
Maple Whiskey Buttercream
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter unsalted
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp whiskey
Instructions
- Cream the butter. Like cream it for at least 3 minutes. This is the make or break point for buttercream frostings.
- Add the sugar, vanilla, syrup and whiskey. Whisk thoroughly.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
These recipes were inspired by the fiction police procedural novel The Girl Left Behind, written by M Williams Phelps.
Click on the link to read my book review for this modern suspense thriller or buy from Amazon or Bookshop.