Yummy Donuts!

I try to eat healthy and exercise regularly.  But, donuts are my true weakness!  I have my Great Grandma’s fried donut recipe that I haven’t attempted since I’m a little intimidated by it!  I know there’s a quite a knack to making fried donuts and just haven’t had the time to dive into and master it.  But, I recently came across a baked donut recipe and thought that was more up my alley.  The donuts were very easy to make and turned out really great! 

Claire loves to bake with me.  I used to prefer baking by myself.  It served as my relaxing alone time.  But, now I really love Claire’s “help” and feel a little lost if she isn’t standing on a chair beside me at the counter. 

We enjoy taking any food to the fields, but yummy warm homemade donuts are the best!  Accompanied by a hot drink we stop and drop off our “love”.  I know I will always remember and cherish Claire’s sweet little voice saying “Look what we made you Daddy”, as she proudly holds up the donuts she just helped bake.  I know Brad will remember those moments too!

I hope you take some time to bake some “love” for someone special in your life!  Try the recipe below.  I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as we do!!

Cinnamon Apple Donuts

·         1 ¼ c. apple juice

·         2 cinnamon sticks

·         1 tsp. apple pie spice

·         2 c. flour

·         ¾ tsp. baking powder

·         1 tsp. baking soda

·         1 tsp. cinnamon

·         ¼ tsp. cloves

·         ¼ tsp. salt

·         1 egg

·         2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

·         ½ c. brown sugar

·         ½ c. granulated sugar

·         ½ c. water

·         2 tbsp. dry buttermilk

·         1 tsp. vanilla

Topping-

·         1 c. granulated sugar

·         1 tsp. cinnamon

·         ¼ c. unsalted butter, melted

Directions-

-          Simmer apple juice, cinnamon sticks and apple pie spice over low heat for 15- 20 minutes until reduced.  You will only use ½ c. of this reduction.  Cool in refrigerator.

-          Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves,  and salt and set aside.

-          Mix egg, butter, brown sugar, sugar, water, dry buttermilk, vanilla, and 1/2 c. apple juice reduction.

-          Add wet ingredients to dry.  Mix just until incorporated, a few small lumps may be in batter. 

-          Divide batter into greased donut pan or greased mini muffin pan.

-          Bake at 350, for 9-12 minutes (until test toothpick comes out clean).

-          Allow to cool for 10 minutes.

-          Dip tops of donuts in melted butter, then in sugar/cinnamon mixture.  Allow to cool another 10 minutes.

-          Store in paper bag.  Best same day.