These apple cider donuts are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and coated in sweet cinnamon sugar! They use boiled apple cider for a rich and vibrant flavor that can't be beaten. With just one bite of these melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts, you'll be hooked!
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Instructions
In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), cream together your sugar and room temperature butter until the combination is light and fluffy, about 4-6 minutes.
Next, add your eggs, one at a time, mixing for one minute in between each addition.
Pour your buttermilk, cider, and vanilla extract into your wet ingredient mixture. Mix well (the batter may appear lumpy).
Add the salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg then mix into the wet ingredients until well combined.
Gradually add in your flour mixture and mix just until combined, being careful not to over-mix the dough.
Prepare 2 baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper and sprinkling them generously with flour. Transfer the dough to one of the baking sheets and gently press it until it is approximately ¾-inch thick.
Sprinkle the dough with some more flour and then cover it with plastic wrap. Place the covered pan into the freezer for 10 minutes.
Afterward, remove the dough from the freezer and use a 3-inch donut cutter to cut out your donuts (*see note).
Once your donuts have been cut, place them back into the freezer for another 5 minutes.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, add about 3 inches of canola oil and heat it to 350°F (175°C).
Once hot, drop three or four donuts into the oil making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 1 minute, or until the donut has turned to a golden-brown color on one side. Then flip the doughnut and cook the other side for an additional minute. Once done, transfer the donuts to a paper towel-lined plate.
Repeat with your remaining donuts (*see note).
Pour your cinnamon sugar onto a plate. Once your donuts have cooled enough for you to handle them, press them gently into the cinnamon sugar, flip them, and press the second side. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Make sure you use boiled apple cider as it is what gives it the best flavor! You can purchase boiled apple cider at some specialty grocery stores. However, you can also make your own by boiling 1½ cups of fresh apple cider for about 25 minutes, or until it is reduced to ⅓ cup. I also like to toss in a cinnamon stick while it is reducing for some extra flavor!
If you don't have a donut cutter, you can use two cookie cutters!
As you are cutting your donuts, you may need to gather up the scraps, press them together, and re-roll them to make as many donuts as possible (possibly needing to re-chill them as well).
While frying, if you find that your doughnuts are getting too soft and sticky, you can put them back into the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up again.
Make sure your work area, hands, and rolling pin are all well-floured!
Melted butter makes the cinnamon sugar mixture stick to the donuts best, simply brush it onto your apple cider donuts before dipping.
To store: Keep your doughnuts at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 days, or in the fridge for 4 days.
To reheat: Simply pop your doughnuts in the microwave for a few seconds to warm them up!
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