Apple Cider Doughnuts

Bring the flavors of a crisp fall day to your kitchen with these homemade apple cider doughnuts. Reduced apple cider gives the doughnuts a concentrated apple flavor, while cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar add plenty of warm spice. Fried until golden and finished with a generous coating of cinnamon sugar, they're the perfect treat to enjoy with a hot cup of coffee or cider. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup apple cider, reduced to ¼ cup 
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour 
• 1 tablespoon baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg 
• ½ teaspoon salt 
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened 
• ¾ cup brown sugar 
• 2 large eggs 
• ½ cup buttermilk 
• Vegetable oil, for frying 
• For coating: ½ cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon cinnamon 

Instructions:

1. Simmer apple cider in a small saucepan until reduced to about ¼ cup, roughly 15-20 minutes. Cool slightly. 
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. 
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in reduced cider and buttermilk. 
4. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Chill dough for 30 minutes — it will be soft. 
5. Roll dough on a floured surface to ½-inch thickness. Cut with a doughnut cutter (or two round cutters of different sizes). 
6. Heat oil to 350°F in a deep, heavy pot. Fry doughnuts in batches, 90 seconds per side, until golden brown. 
7. Drain on a wire rack briefly, then toss warm in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.