Ingredients:

  • 1 cup apple cider (100% pure, unsweetened if possible)
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, measured and sifted
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or whole milk mixed with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar; let sit 5 minutes)
  • ¼ cup apple cider reduction (prepared from above; cool to room temperature)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • About 2–3 cups vegetable oil or canola oil (for deep frying; enough to fill a deep, heavy pot about 2 inches deep)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar (for dusting or to make a glaze with a splash of milk and extra apple cider)

Instructions:

  1. Make the Apple Cider Reduction: In a small saucepan, pour 1 cup of apple cider, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce and simmer until reduced to about ¼ cup (10–15 minutes). Let cool to room temperature.
  2. Prepare Your Workstation: Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and cooled apple cider reduction.
  3. Combine the Batter: Make a well in the dry ingredients, pour in the wet ingredients, and mix gently with a spatula until just combined. Rest for 5 minutes if the dough feels too sticky, then add extra flour a tablespoon at a time if needed.
  4. Shape the Donuts: Lightly flour a work surface, roll the dough to about ½-inch thickness, and cut out donuts with a donut cutter (or two round cutters for the donut hole). Re-roll any scraps to cut additional donuts.
  5. Fry the Donuts: Heat oil in a deep pot or fryer to 365°F (185°C). Fry 2–3 donuts at a time for about 1.5–2 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to a cooling rack over paper towels to drain.
  6. Finish and Serve: While still warm, dust the donuts with powdered sugar or drizzle with an apple cider glaze made by whisking powdered sugar with a tablespoon of milk and extra apple cider. Serve immediately.