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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg - ½ cup granulated sugar - 2 large eggs - ½ cup whole milk - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and finely diced - 1 cup apple cider - Oil for frying (vegetable or canola) The base of these donuts starts with all-purpose flour. This helps give them a nice structure. Baking powder gives them lift. Salt enhances the sweetness. The spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, add warmth and depth. Granulated sugar gives sweetness to the batter. The eggs help bind all the ingredients together. Whole milk adds creaminess to the mix, while vanilla gives flavor. I love using Granny Smith apples. They are tart and crisp, perfect for these donuts. Apple cider adds extra apple flavor and moisture. Finally, you'll need oil for frying. This ensures a crispy outside and soft inside. - 1 cup powdered sugar - 2 tablespoons whole milk - ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract The glaze is simple yet tasty. Powdered sugar is the star. It gives the glaze that smooth finish. Whole milk thins the glaze for easy dipping. Vanilla extract adds that lovely flavor that ties everything together. With these ingredients, you're all set to make delicious apple fritter donuts! To start, we need to mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg - ½ cup granulated sugar Whisk these together until they blend well. Set this aside for later. Next, let’s combine the wet ingredients. In another bowl, crack 2 large eggs. Whisk in ½ cup whole milk and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. Now, we need to fold in the apples and apple cider. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Stir gently with a spatula. Be careful not to overmix. This keeps the donuts light and fluffy. Then fold in 1 large finely diced apple and 1 cup apple cider. Make sure everything is evenly mixed. Now, it’s time to fry. First, heat oil in a deep pot or fryer to about 350°F (175°C). Use a cooking thermometer to check the temperature. Once the oil is hot, scoop about 2-3 tablespoons of batter using a tablespoon. Gently drop the batter into the oil. Fry only a few at a time to avoid overcrowding. This helps them cook evenly. Fry the donuts for 2-3 minutes on each side. Look for a lovely golden brown color. Adjust the heat as needed to keep the oil at the right temperature. When done, use a slotted spoon to take the donuts out of the oil. Place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. While the donuts cool, let’s make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together: - 1 cup powdered sugar - 2 tablespoons whole milk - ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract Mix until you achieve a smooth consistency with no lumps. Now, dip each warm donut into the glaze. Let any extra glaze drip back into the bowl. Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack to cool and set. Allow them to sit for a few minutes. This helps the glaze firm up, making them extra tasty. To make great apple fritter donuts, avoid overmixing the batter. Overmixing can lead to dense donuts that are not fluffy. Mix until just combined. You want a light, airy texture. Next, pay close attention to the frying temperature. Heat the oil to about 350°F (175°C). If it’s too hot, the donuts will burn outside and stay raw inside. If it’s too low, they will soak up too much oil. Use a cooking thermometer for the best results. For the perfect glaze, aim for a silky smooth consistency. Start with one cup of powdered sugar. Add two tablespoons of whole milk and half a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk until there are no lumps. If it’s too thick, add a bit more milk. If it’s too thin, add more sugar. You can also try alternative glazing methods. A light drizzle of caramel or a chocolate glaze can add a fun twist. Experiment to find your favorite! When serving, arrange the donuts in a nice pattern on a plate. A decorative plate adds charm to your dish. You can also sprinkle a little extra ground cinnamon on top for a sweet touch. To enhance the look, garnish with fresh apple slices. They add color and a refreshing taste to the warm donuts. This makes your dish not just tasty, but also beautiful! {{image_4}} You can easily switch up the taste of your apple fritter donuts. Adding nuts or raisins can give them a nice crunch. Walnuts or pecans work best. Just chop them small and mix them in with the batter. This adds a new layer of flavor. Another fun idea is to use different apple varieties. While Granny Smith apples are tart and crisp, you could try Honeycrisp for a sweeter taste. You can even mix apples for a range of flavors. Each apple brings its unique twist to your donuts! If you want to play with flavors, try making a chocolate or maple glaze. For chocolate, melt some chocolate chips and mix them with a little milk. This creates a rich, sweet topping. A maple glaze is easy too! Just mix in some maple syrup with the powdered sugar and milk. You can also drizzle caramel sauce on top of your donuts. This adds a lovely sweetness and a sticky texture. It’s perfect for those who love caramel! For those who want a healthier option, you can bake instead of fry. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spoon the batter onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 15-20 minutes until golden. This method cuts down on oil and makes them lighter. If you’re vegan, you can swap eggs and dairy. Use flaxseed meal mixed with water for eggs. For milk, almond or oat milk works great. These swaps keep the flavor while making the recipe suitable for everyone. Store your apple fritter donuts at room temperature. They taste best fresh and warm. If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container. This helps keep them soft for a day or two. Avoid refrigerating them. The cold air will dry them out. To maintain freshness, you can wrap each donut in plastic wrap. This way, they stay moist and tasty. If you want to serve them later, just warm them up in the oven for a few minutes. You can freeze apple fritter donuts, too! To do this, let them cool completely first. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour. Once frozen, transfer the donuts to a freezer bag. Make sure to squeeze out as much air as you can. To reheat, take them out and let them thaw at room temperature. For a warm treat, pop them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. This keeps them soft and delightful. For the glaze, it’s best to freeze the donuts without it. You can glaze them after reheating. This way, the glaze stays fresh and shiny. To check the oil's heat, use a cooking thermometer. Aim for 350°F (175°C). If you don't have a thermometer, drop a small amount of batter into the oil. If it bubbles and rises, the oil is ready. Yes, you can prepare some parts in advance. Mix the dry ingredients and store them in an airtight container. You can also chop the apples ahead of time. Keep them in a bowl of water with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning. Store the batter in the fridge for up to a day. Fry them fresh when you are ready. You can use gluten-free flour blends as a substitute. Look for a blend that has xanthan gum in it. Adjust the amount of apple cider as needed, since gluten-free flours can absorb more liquid. Now you have a clear path to make delicious apple fritter donuts. You learned about the key ingredients, steps for frying, and tips for texture and glaze. You can also explore fun variations and smart storage methods. Don’t be afraid to get creative with flavors or glazes. These donuts can be a fun treat for any occasion. Enjoy your baking journey and share your tasty results! You’ll impress everyone with your homemade treats.

Apple Fritter Donuts with Glaze

Indulge in the sweet taste of homemade Apple Fritter Donuts with Glaze! This easy recipe combines fluffy donut batter with juicy apples and a delightful vanilla glaze that takes just 45 minutes to create. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, these donuts are sure to impress your family and friends. Click through to explore the full recipe and learn how to make these irresistible treats that everyone will love!
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Ingredients
  

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

½ cup whole milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 large apple (preferably Granny Smith), peeled and finely diced

1 cup apple cider

Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

Glaze Ingredients:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons whole milk

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions
 

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and granulated sugar. Whisk together until thoroughly mixed and set aside for later use.

    In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and whisk in the milk and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.

      Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense donuts.

        Carefully fold in the finely diced apple and apple cider until evenly distributed throughout the batter for a delightful apple flavor in every bite.

          In a deep pot or fryer, heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches approximately 350°F (175°C). Use a cooking thermometer for accuracy.

            Once the oil is hot, use a tablespoon to scoop generous spoonfuls of the batter (about 2-3 tablespoons each) and gently drop them into the oil, frying only a few at a time to prevent overcrowding.

              Fry the donuts for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until they achieve a beautiful golden brown color. Adjust the heat as necessary to maintain the temperature.

                Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the donuts from the oil and transfer them to paper towels to drain excess oil.

                  To prepare the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until the mixture is silky smooth and free of lumps.

                    While the donuts are still warm, dip each one into the glaze, allowing any excess glaze to drip back into the bowl before placing them on a wire rack to cool and set.

                      Once glazed, let the donuts sit for a few minutes to allow the glaze to firm up before serving.

                        Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 12

                          - Presentation Tips: Arrange the glazed donuts artistically on a decorative plate, and sprinkle a light dusting of extra ground cinnamon on top for an enticing finish. For a vibrant touch, garnish the plate with fresh apple slices, adding a refreshing pop of color and flavor alongside the warm donuts.