Slow Cooker Homemade Apple Cider with Apple Cider Doughnuts

Apple cider season is upon us, but unfortunately there are no apple orchards near me. So, I had to make do the best way I possibly could: making my own apple cider and apple cider doughnuts. I unfortunately had to use store bought apples, ugh. It is always much more satisfying picking your own apples, but these worked just as well. I used a crockpot so the entire house smelled deliciously of apple cider.  Plus, it makes an easier way to transport it or a simple way to keep warm for a football tailgate or any fall get-together.

Apple Cider

Ingredients:

8 large Gala apples, or any apples of your choosing, cored & quartered

1 tbsp whole cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

1 tsp whole allspice

10 cups water

1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions:

1. Place apples into slow cooker. Add cloves, cinnamon sticks, allspice, and water.
2. Cook 3 hours on high.
3. Mash apples. Add brown sugar.
4. Cook 3 hours on low.
5. Strain. Keeps up to one week, or frozen.
6. Serve hot or cold. I prefer hot. Garnish with apple slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise. Spice rum is optional, but recommended. 😉

Apple Cider Doughnuts

Ingredients:

Doughnuts –

1  1/2 cups apple cider (use the fresh you just made)

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp apple pie spice

1/4 tsp salt

2 tbsp butter, melted

1 large egg, at room temperature

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk, at room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping –

1 cup sugar

3/4 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp apple pie spice

6 tbsp butter, melted

Directions:

1. Reduce apple cider to for 25 minutes, until 1/2 cup remains. Set aside to cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease donut pans.
3. Whisk together dry ingredients, minus the sugars.
4. In another bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour in dry ingredients. Mix. Add apple cider and whisk until smooth.
5. Fill donut pans halfway full. Bake 10 minutes. Let cool 2 minutes.
6. Combine all topping ingredients, except butter. Dip doughnuts in melted butter then cover in topping mixture.