Easy Apple Cider Donuts

Easy Apple Cider Donuts

A fall tradition in “apple country.”  Make them EASY at home!

I used to be able to make these in my sleep…but of course for a while, it was my job!!!  After my late husband’s open-heart surgery, I did not want to work more than 10 miles from my house–just in case–so I took a job at a local supermarket as a baker.  And in the fall, I had to make these.  A LOT of these!!

Of course there you start out with a commercial mix, but all that mix is is sweetened Bisquick with spices.  The *traditional* spice is nutmeg and mace.  I’d get fancy from time to time and use a nice European apple pie spice mixture. The latter is pretty exotic–mix a small amount up, sniff, taste and see if you like it.  If you don’t, then use the traditional recipe for the spice blend.

Very easy to make

I don’t bother to roll or cut out.  At the store there was a machine you added the batter to that would form them as they went into the fryer.  At home we have no such contraption and this batter is VERY sticky, so don’t make yourself crazy–just drop it by spoonfuls into the hot oil.  It tastes the same, trust me, and it’s much easier.  If you use a melon baller or a drop cookie scoop, you’ll get what looks like donut “holes.”

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About the batter…it is supposed to look like a really REALLY thick pancake batter…where a spoon will ALMOST stand up in it.  When you go to stir it, the batter will leave the sides of the bowl, but it is MUCH softer than bread dough, so I repeat, don’t make yourself crazy trying to knead, roll, cut.  Not worth it IMO.

Easy Apple Cider Donuts

 

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Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

10 mins

Total time

25 mins

 

Author: Judith Hannemann

Serves: 2 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 cups baking mix (such as Bisquick)
• 1 cup flour
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup sugar (can be increased to ⅓ cup)
• 1 cup apple cider
• oil or shortening for frying
• Exotic Spice Blend:
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp allspice
• ⅛ tsp cardamon
• Traditional Spice Blend:
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• ⅛-1/4 tsp mace
• Cinnamon Sugar:
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Heat enough oil in a deep pot (like a dutch oven or wok) to deep fry–about 2-3 inches of oil. Heat oil to 375 degrees F.
2. Mix the flour, baking mix, sugar and whichever spice blend you wish to use in a medium bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, beat egg. Add the egg to the flour/spice mixture. Add the apple cider. Stir blending well. You should have a VERY thick and sticky batter, where a spoon will almost stand up in it, but too soft to roll or knead. Add more flour or baking mix if necessary to get this texture.
4. Using a teaspoon or a drop cookie scoop (looks like a small ice cream scoop) or a larger melon baller, drop batter into hot oil, not overcrowding the pan–maybe about 6 or 7 drops at a time.
5. Fry on one side approximately 5 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbles begin to form on the unfried side facing you. Flip and fry the other side until golden brown.
6. Drain on a paper towel covered plate. Repeat until all batter is fried.
7. Mix cinnamon sugar ingredients and place in a sturdy plastic or better yet, brown paper bag (like a lunch bag).
8. Shake donuts in cinnamon sugar and serve.

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Easy Apple Cider Donuts