Apple Cider Donuts. Sort of
Posted: November 12, 2009 | Author: Johanna | Filed under: Johanna | 5 Comments »
A couple weeks ago, the blogosphere was alive with doughnut recipes. And yes, that’s the last time I’m going to use the non-New England spelling. Be prepared. I’m not the world’s biggest fan of donuts, but I am easily swayed by suggestion, as documented previously.
Deb at Smitten Kitchen made these glorious-looking Cider Donuts that got me thinking.
I found this recipe for Pumpkin-Spice Donuts at a blog called When in Doubt, Leave it at 350.
And before I knew it, I was inviting friends over and telling them I’d be feeding them donuts and mulled cider and all manner of delicious things. Mind you, I had never made donuts before. BUT, figuring myself an enterprising lady, I decided to go for the Pumpkin Spice donuts from Leave it at 350 and Deb’s lovely-looking Cider donuts.
I noticed that something was….off, when I got to the point in the pumpkin donut recipe where you’re supposed to put the dough in the freezer for 15 minutes, and then cut and fry. I couldn’t cut anything. I couldn’t get it to hold a shape, because the dough was super-wet. I also couldn’t work any more flour in, because the dough was also super-sticky. I had to scoop up the parchment paper and toss it in the trash, right as our friends walked in, much to my embarrassment.
Oh well, I thought. Maybe it was just a flaw in the recipe. Maybe it was written for less flour than it needed, or a different type of flour, or at high altitude, or…..
I believed in Deb. Deb would not steer me wrong.
So, I reduced my apple cider, and I stirred in extra flour, and I spread things out and I put it in the freezer. I melted my shortening and I got it to temperature. And I couldn’t cut the f$^#&@*B$^#& dough into donuts!!! So, I did what any resourceful person who doesn’t want to be embarrassed in front of her friends does.
I got out my spring-loaded ice cream scoop, and I made drop-donuts. After a few small mishaps with over and under-cooked donuts, I managed to knock out some pretty tasty specimens. They were glazed with cider and powdered sugar. In all, they tasted pretty good. I wish that I had been able to cut them out, and had donuts, and holes, but that’s more because of who I am than because of what they tasted like.
I’ll be trying these donuts again, along with the pumpkin ones. I’m committed to figuring out how to make donuts, because I really believe that I’m not a true New England woman until I can present those I love with homemade cider donuts on a snowy morning. Dammit.
Stay tuned. Round 1 went to the Donuts. Round 2…… will go to me.
Christmas Gift Idea For Joh: donut cutter
The dough is extremely sticky. I can’t remember if I wrote it in the post but you either have to flour all sides A LOT or do what I do when I get frustrated add more flour and beat the crap out of it. I hope it works out the next time you make it
I think part of it was that I spread it BEFORE I froze it. I went back and read the directions and that’s TOTALLY NOT the way you’re supposed to do it. If I could read….. things might go better.
Also, I will be trying this one again. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the tip about the dough!! I am desperate to get these right.
Oh MAN. I want to make cider donuts and serve mulled cider to people just in from the snow!!!! This is now my GREATEST WISH.
You’ve inspired me. This is why I love you.
[...] it, I’ll try it. I mean, hell, I made bagels because she did. And homemade oreo cookies. And cider donuts. Maybe I have a problem. Regardless, the idea of gussied-up, grown-up Rice Krispie Treats got in my [...]