Another picture-less post

My new recipe for the week was Apple Cider Donuts. I received apple cider last week in my CSA box and was looking for a way to use it, besides just drinking it.

There were several different cake and muffin recipes that looked promising- but the ones which caught my attention were the donuts. Conveniently, I was heading home to Knoxville for the weekend, and my sister got a  donut maker for Christmas :)

I cooked for my family several times over the weekend, but they were not new recipes. We grilled pork tenderloin with a dry rub mix of cumin, Grill Masters, oregano, and garlic and pork chops Saturday night. Grilling out is one of my favorite parts of being home. Monday night I made tomato-sausage risotto.

Later Monday night, I made these donuts. And everyone gave their approval! Perry said they tasted like apple cake- not a bad thing!

Baked Apple Cider Donuts adapted from Hezzi-D's

- 1 C apple cider
- 1 3/4 C flour
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 Tbs butter, softened
- 1/2 C sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 C low fat milk

For topping:
- 2 Tbs apple cider
- 1/4 C sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the apple cider to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the cider has reduced to 1/3 cup. Set aside to cool.

2. Preheat donut maker. Spray with cooking spray.

3. In a medium mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. 

4. In another medium mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Add in the egg and continue beating. Mix in half the flour mixture.

5. Stir in the milk and then add the remaining flour mixture. Stir until well combined then add in the apple cider. Mix until just combined.
6. Fill the donut molds 2/3 of the way full, close the donut maker, and cook until donuts are golden brown, usually 2-4 minutes. If donuts pull apart when opening the donut maker, they are not finished. They should remove cleanly from the donut maker.

- You can also bake in a donut pan in an oven at 400* for 10-14 minutes -

7. Combine the cinnamon and sugar on a plate. Using a pastry brush, brush the top of sides of a donut with apple cider then dip into the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Repeat with remaining donuts. Donuts will keep for 2-3 days.
        - I skipped this step, and they didn't stick around for 2-3 days....


Enjoying some culinary excellence during my travels this week, and after nurses week last week- next week we will be reigning it back in and trying to eat healthy!