Apple Cider Doughnuts Yeast Raised Recipes

APPLE CIDER DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Mix 1 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon together in a resealable freezer bag.
• Bring apple cider to a boil in a saucepan; cook, stirring occasionally, until cider has reduced to 1/2 cup, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
• Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. Mix butter, eggs, egg yolk, and cooled cider together in a separate bowl until smooth; stir into flour mixture. Stir remaining 2 3/4 cup flour into mixture until dough is smooth. Refrigerate dough for 10 minutes.
• Heat oil in a large pot or deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Turn dough onto a well-floured work surface using floured hands; pat dough into 1/2-inch thickness. Cut dough into doughnuts using a doughnut cutter or 2 round cookie cutters (1 large and 1 small). Gather scraps and re-pat dough to cut out as many doughnuts as possible.
• Carefully slide doughnuts, working in batches, into hot oil; fry until doughnuts rise to the surface and begin to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip doughnuts and continue frying until opposite side is browned, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Remove doughnuts with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to cool until easily handled, about 1 minute. Toss cooled doughnuts in the reserved bag of cinnamon-sugar. Bring oil back to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) before frying next batch.

BAKED APPLE CIDER DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 2 (6-cavity) doughnut pans (or a 12-cup muffin tin) with nonstick spray. In a medium bowl, add flour, baking powder, salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg and whisk to combine. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream 10 tablespoons/140 grams butter, brown sugar and 1/4 cup/50 grams granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time and mix until well incorporated after each addition, scraping the bowl as necessary. Beat in the vanilla extract.
• Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until incorporated. With the mixer running, add the apple cider in a slow, steady stream and mix to combine. Scrape the bowl well to make sure the batter is homogeneous.
• Spoon the batter into prepared doughnut pans, filling them about 2/3 of the way. (You can also do this using a disposable piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with a 1/2-inch opening cut from one corner.) Bake until evenly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the thickest portion comes out clean, 12 to 15 minutes. Rotate the pans halfway through baking. (If you are making muffins, divide batter evenly between the prepared cups and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, rotating halfway through.)
• While the doughnuts bake, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup/100 grams granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together in a small bowl to combine. In a separate small bowl, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons butter in the microwave. Let the doughnuts cool for 5 minutes after baking, then unmold them from the pans, brush with the melted butter and dredge them in the cinnamon sugar while they are still warm. Serve immediately, or let cool to room temperature.

APPLE CIDER DOUGHNUTS (YEAST RAISED)

Steps:

• Place the 1/4 cup of warm cider in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Sprinkle the yeast on the surface of the cider and let stand for about 5 minutes, until foamy.
• Add the flour, the remaining 1/4 cup of cider, milk, butter, egg yolks, the 2 tablespoons of sugar and the salt. Beat on the lowest speed until the flour is incorporated, then increase the speed to medium and beat for about 5 minutes to form a soft, elastic dough that creates a ball around the dough hook.
• (Alternatively, you can mix the dough by hand with a wooden spoon until it forms a wet, sloppy mass. Oil your hands and give the dough a few turns using the heel of your palm against the edge of the bowl.).
• Use a little of the oil to lightly grease the inside of a large bowl and place the dough in the bowl. Cover with a clean dish towel and place in a warm spot. Let the dough rise for about 1 1/2 hours, until it has doubled in bulk.
• Flour a clean work surface. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and have a wire rack ready. Heat enough oil to fill about 3 inches in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat.
• Punch down the dough; it will be sticky. Place the dough on the floured surface, then roll it out to a thickness of 1/2-inch, adding flour as needed to keep the dough workable. Use a 3-inch doughnut cutter or two cookie cutters, in 3-inch and 1/2-inch sizes, to create 8 to 10 doughnuts. Do not reroll the dough; because it is leavened, it needs the rising action for structure. Rerolling will flatten the lift you've achieved. Save any scraps for frying.
• Place the doughnuts on the prepared baking sheet. Cover with the clean towel and let the doughnuts and any scraps of dough rise for 15 to 30 minutes, until well puffed (they do not need to double in bulk).
• Combine the remaining 2 cups of sugar and the cinnamon in a medium bowl.
• Once the oil reaches 325 degrees, begin frying the raised doughnuts in batches of 2 or 3 at a time. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side until golden brown, then use tongs or long metal skewers to turn the doughnuts and fry on the second side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown.
• Use a skimmer or skewer to transfer one doughnut at a time to the bowl of cinnamon sugar; immediately turn as needed to coat evenly on all sides. Transfer to the wire rack and repeat with the remaining raised doughnuts and any leftover scraps of risen dough.