One of the icons of fall, as the magnificent foliage turns autumnal and the weather begins to feel crisp, is the apple cider doughnut, a speciality of New England. They are created using a foundation of apple cider that has been reduced by boiling, creating a syrup that is sweet and strongly apple-flavoured. The doughnuts fry up craggy and crunchy on the exterior, and the crowning pleasure is the abundant dusting of cinnamon sugar that clings to the outside. The dough is a nutmeg-laced cake dough that uses baking powder as the leavening agent. While you're standing in an apple orchard with a steaming mug of apple cider or coffee, these doughnuts always seem to taste the best.
Here's how you can make these doughnuts:
Ingredients:
• 2 cups of apple cider
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Oil for deep-fat frying
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• Optional: chocolate glaze or maple glaze
Method:
• Cider should be brought to a quick boil in a small saucepan and cooked over high heat for 12 minutes or until it has reduced by half. Complete cooling.
• Mix the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and spices in a bowl. Whisk eggs, melted butter, and chilled cider in a separate dish; combine with the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened (the dough will be sticky). For about an hour, refrigerate covered until the food is solid enough to shape.
• Half the dough, please. Pat each portion to a thickness of 1/2 inch on a floured surface, and then cut with a floured 3-inch doughnut cutter.
• Heat oil to 325° in a deep fryer or electric skillet. Several doughnuts at a time, fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Fry a few doughnut holes at a time until they are thoroughly cooked and golden brown, about a minute per side. Drain and pat dry with paper towels. Dip doughnuts in your preferred glaze or sugar, if you'd like.
