Apple Cider Doughnut Holes

Well, these were a semi-fail. This was my first attempt making donuts and since I didn't have a biscuit cutter I decided to make doughnut holes instead. I burnt the first batch I fried, so then I turned down the heat and was extra diligent about making sure I didn't leave them in the oil too long. Well, that failed since half of the batch was basically raw dough still. Oh well, perhaps better luck next time. These are definitely a sugar high, but overall I thought they were pretty yummy and worth making sometime again, but probably years from now. Who knows. And, I was excited to use my immersion blender yet again!

INGREDIENTS

* 2 red apples, such as Cortland or McIntosh
* 2 1/2 cups apple cider
* 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
* 4 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 3 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
* 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
* 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
* 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
* 1/4 cup buttermilk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
* Vegetable oil, for frying

DIRECTIONS

Core and coarsely chop the apples (do not peel). Combine with 1 1/2 cups cider in a medium saucepan over medium heat; cover and cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking until the apples are tender and the cider is almost completely reduced, about 5 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender or in a food processor until smooth. Measure the sauce; you should have 1 cup. (Boil to reduce further, if necessary.) Let cool slightly.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, salt and nutmeg in a medium bowl.

Beat 2/3 cup granulated sugar and the shortening in another bowl with a mixer on medium speed until sandy. Beat in the egg and yolk, then gradually mix in the applesauce, scraping the bowl. Beat in half of the flour mixture, then the buttermilk and vanilla, and then the remaining flour mixture. Mix to make a sticky dough; do not overmix.

Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper and pat into a 7-by-11-inch rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Meanwhile, make the glaze: Simmer the remaining 1 cup cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until reduced to 1/4 cup. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar until smooth and glossy, then set aside. Mix the remaining 1 cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a shallow bowl; set aside for the topping.

Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Cut the chilled dough into 12 rounds, using a floured 2 1/2- or 3-inch biscuit cutter, then cut out the middles with a 1-inch cutter (or use a doughnut cutter). Slip 2 or 3 doughnuts at a time into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side, adjusting the heat as needed. Transfer to the paper towels to drain.

Dip one side of each doughnut in the cider glaze, letting the excess drip off; dip just the glazed side in the cinnamon-sugar or roll all over in cinnamon-sugar, if desired. Serve warm.

Oh, the apple cider takes at least twice as long to reduce as the recipe calls for. Here's the recipe from Food Network. Apple Cider Doughnuts