Growing up in Michigan, September was all about cider mills. Every year, we would take a day and go apple picking and enjoy the donuts and cider. Of course in Michigan there are tons of ciders mills you can visit. We always went to Erwin Orchards. I always enjoyed the apple picking, but I have to say, the best part of the day was when we got to have the hot, fresh from the oven cider donuts, and icy cool cider slushes.
You would pay at the front for whatever size bag you’d like, then you got to ride on huge tractor that would take you around through all of the apple trees. As you drove, the driver would call out which apples were where, and you could hop off when you found the ones you wanted. One year my friend, Jennifer, came with us, and she climbed damn near every tree to get the best apples at the top!
Since it was Michigan in the Fall, a lot of the time it was pretty cool outside when we went, but we still had to have the cider slushes – they were too good! Some years we got lucky with warm weather (like the one pictured above). Now that I’m in Florida, there are certainly no cider mills near me, so I decided to make some donuts and cider slushes for myself!
This donuts are pillowy soft & light, unlike other cake donuts that can often be a little dense and dry. They’re baked, and then dipped in melted butter, then a mixture of sugar and cinnamon, so they’re every bit as good as any fried donut. I don’t want to be dramatic, but these may be the best freaking donuts I’ve ever had. I’m serious. You won’t believe how delicious these things are. I suggest you make them and find out!
The first bite of these donuts almost makes me cry – and not just because they’re insanely delicious. When I eat them, it just takes me right back to Fall in Michigan, and cider mills, and donuts – all of it. It was such a tradition growing up, and it just reminds me of how wonderful it was.
If you don’t live near a cider mill in the fall, don’t worry. Make these donuts (and the slush) and you won’t be missing out AT ALL! The cider slush is the perfect drink to have alongside of these beauties. While the donuts are sweet and warm, the slush is tart and frozen – it’s a totally winning combo.
Ingredients: (Makes 12 donuts)
- 2 cups all purpose flour (measured by spooning flour into the measuring cup, not packing it in)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup apple cider reduced down to ¾ cup
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
For the topping:
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour two donut pans.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix together egg, melted butter, reduced apple cider, milk, and vanilla.
- Pour wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined.
- Pour or pipe batter evenly into the donut pan, filling each well 3/4 full.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove from pan, and place onto a cooling rack for 5 minutes.
- Melt butter and pour into a shallow bowl.
- Mix together the sugar and cinnamon for the topping in another shallow bowl. Dip each donut into the melted butter, then into the cinnamon sugar mixture, and place back on the cooling rack.
- Serve while still warm, although they are also amazing at room temperature.
*These donuts are best eaten right away, but will keep for up to 2 days (if they last that long) in an air tight container.
Cider Slush
- Pour apple cider into an ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, add to a blender, with a bit of fresh apple cider to get it started. Blend until smooth.
*You can also add crushed ice to a blender and pour in fresh cider as a shortcut.
Enjoy!
