Apple Cider Donuts

Directions

1. Add apple cider to a medium-sized pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes or until the liquid is reduced to ⅓ cup. Remove boiled cider from heat and set aside.
2. Beat sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until pale and fluffy, using a handheld whisk or electric mixer, for about 4–6 minutes.
3. Add eggs and mix thoroughly.
4. Combine flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, and nutmeg in a separate bowl, and set aside.
5. Pour the buttermilk, cider, and vanilla into the sugar-butter-egg mixture. Stir well.
6. Add the flour mixture and stir carefully until moistened. Do not overmix.
7. Line two baking sheets with wax paper and dust each one liberally with flour.
8. Turn out the dough onto one baking sheet and gently pat it down to a thickness of about ¾ inch.
9. Sprinkle the dough with flour and cover with plastic wrap.
10. Put dough in freezer for 10 minutes to let it firm up.
11. Remove dough from freezer and flour a 3-inch donut cutter.
12. Cut about 18 donuts, placing each one on the other baking sheet as you go.
13. Gather up the scraps and combine them to cut more donuts.
14. Put the baking sheet of donuts in the freezer for another 5 minutes.
15. Preheat the oven to 200°F, with the oven rack in the middle.
16. Line a plate with paper towels.
17. Add 3 inches of oil to a deep skillet or Dutch oven. Heat to 370°F (test with a food thermometer).
18. Drop 3 or 4 donuts carefully into the heated oil, being careful not to let them touch each other.
19. Cook about 1 minute until browned on one side; then flip each donut over and cook the other side for about 1 minute.
20. Transfer cooked donuts to the plate lined with paper towels.
21. Put the plate of donuts in the preheated oven to stay warm as you cook the rest of them.
22. While donuts are cooking, mix cinnamon and sugar in a medium-sized bowl. Stir or shake to thoroughly combine.
23. Remove donuts from oven, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and serve immediately.