Apple Cider Donuts

Ingredients

• 2 cups apple cider
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1½ tsp ground cinnamon, divided
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground allspice
• ½ tsp fine salt
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar, plus ½ cup for coating
• ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups neutral oil, for frying
• ½ cup store-bought or homemade salted caramel sauce
• ½ tsp flaky sea salt

Steps

1. 1

   1. Pour the cider into a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer until reduced to about ½ cup, roughly 15 minutes. Let it cool to room temperature.

2. 2

   2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla, and cooled reduced cider until smooth, then fold the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.

3. 3

   3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll to about ¾-inch thickness. Cut out rounds with a 3-inch cutter and use a 1-inch cutter to punch out the centers; re-roll scraps once.

4. 4

   4. Heat oil in a heavy pot to 350°F. Fry donuts in batches, about 90 seconds per side, until deep golden brown, then transfer to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain briefly.

5. 5

   5. Mix the remaining ½ cup sugar with ½ tsp cinnamon in a shallow bowl and toss the warm donuts through the mixture until fully coated.

6. 6

   6. Stack the donuts on a plate, warm the salted caramel sauce until pourable, and drizzle it generously over the top. Finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt.