Apple Donuts

I love Autumn all the scents and flavors that go with it. I love the Fall recipes, the colors, just about everything. I have a lot of wonderful memories with my kids when they where little and they are all center around Autumn. Some of the places we went were Casa de Fruita, pumpkin Patch, walks to the park and rolling down the hills together, trips to the library (OK, that took place all the time) but there was just something special about going in the Fall. Maybe it was because the books we would get to read together and the planning for Thanksgiving and then came decorating for Christmas. Most of the kids are grown up and on their own now and every time the weather changes I miss them being little again. I think what started it was I seen a little girl who came into the store skipping with braids and she reminded me of my girls when they were little, which made me make the remark to my husband that we should adopt a little one. I think he just thinks I have lost it. We have six kids, two are still at home but time is moving really fast the older we get and I have to say these two are pretty boring, they only like to  play Xbox and computers. :o) But there are times I can drag them out and believe me it feels like I am dragging them sometimes.

Well back to my post. My house smells like a crisp cool Autumn day with these donuts in the oven. I would say between our strange weather and the smell of these baking has got me really thinking about Autumn. Well to be honest with you I have been thinking a lot of about Autumn these past few weeks.
I seen this recipe on Barbara Bakes and knew I was going to change it a little, one thing I did not do and wished I did was either grate the apples or just left them out all together. But my boys are eating them up so they must not be too bad, my 16 year is the one who said I should had left the apples out. I think he is just glad I opened the apple sauce and apple cider so he could have some.



1 cup  apple cider
1/2 cup very finely chopped or better yet grated dried apples
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

In a small saucepan, simmer the apple juice and dried apples over medium heat until all of the liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
Preheat oven to 325º. Lightly grease two 6 count donut pans with cooking spray or vegetable oil.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat together sugar and egg until well combined. Whisk in vegetable oil, applesauce and vanilla extract. Stir in cooled apple mixture. Add dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
Divide batter evenly into 12 donut cups, filling each about 3/4 full. (Use a pastry bag or plastic bag with corner cut out to make filling the cups easier.)
Bake for 10-15 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
While donuts are baking, in a small bowl combine remaining sugar and cinnamon for topping.
When donuts are done, cool for a few minutes in the pan, remove from pan and dip donut top in cinnamon sugar mixture. Cool on a wire rack.
Makes 12 baked donuts.