last week i made apple fritters. they didn't make the blog because they were eaten too quickly.
and because they looked like deep fried hamster bits.
this week i went for doughnuts.
apple doughnuts
(adapted from smittenkitchen)
1 cup apple cider
2 medium apples, cored and chopped
3 1/2 cups flour, plus additional for the work surface
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
vegetable oil for frying
in a sauce pan over medium heat, gently reduce the apple cider to about 1/4 cup. add the chopped apple and set aside.
combine the flour, baking powder and soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg in a bowl.
with an electric mixer on medium speed, cream the butter and sugar. add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally. reduce the speed to low and gradually add the cider mix and the buttermilk, mixing just until combined. add the flour mixture and continue to mix just until the dough comes together.
line two baking sheets with parchment or wax paper and sprinkle them generously with flour.
turn the dough onto one of the sheets and sprinkle the top with flour. flatten the dough with your hands until it is about 1/2 inch thick. transfer the dough to the fridge and chill for at least two hours. (seriously, don't skip this step. it doesn't end well.)
cut out doughnut shapes. place the cut doughnuts and doughnut holes onto the second sheet pan. refrigerate the doughnuts for 20 to 30 minutes.
heat oil to 350f (at least three inches deep).
line several baking racks with layers of toweling (paper or otherwise grease ready).
carefully add a couple of doughnuts to the oil and fry until golden brown, turning each doughnut while frying for even goldeness. place on towels to dry and cool. dip the top of the doughnuts into caramel glaze and cool again.
caramel glaze
4tbs butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 cup powdered sugar
melt the butter in a small sauce pan, stir in brown sugar and cream. bring to a boil and stir for one minute longer.
whisk in powdered sugar.
