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. Â 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:
- Place apples into slow cooker. Add cloves, cinnamon sticks, allspice, and water.
- Cook 3 hours on high.
- Mash apples. Add brown sugar.
- Cook 3 hours on low.
- Strain. Keeps up to one week, or frozen.
- 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 Â 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:
- Reduce apple cider to for 25 minutes, until 1/2 cup remains. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease donut pans.
- Whisk together dry ingredients, minus the sugars.
- In another bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour in dry ingredients. Mix. Add apple cider and whisk until smooth.
- Fill donut pans halfway full. Bake 10 minutes. Let cool 2 minutes.
- Combine all topping ingredients, except butter. Dip doughnuts in melted butter then cover in topping mixture.