Apple Cider Doughnut Mix Product Review

My husband is from New Jersey, and because he still has significant attachments in the form of friends and family, we try to get there for a visit as often as possible.  When we do, one of my favorite places to visit is Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck (Don't you just love that name?), NJ. Much more than an orchard, this place is a destination!  Produce, meats, cheeses, gourmet groceries, oh yes, and bakery goods. They certainly knew what they were doing when they placed the bakery at the entrance of this vast store.  I generally spend a good bit of time (okay, most of it, if you must know) in this section just sniffing.  It's also where I got my first taste of a cider donut.  Here they come covered with powdered sugar or plain.  I'm not sure which I like best, so clearly I'm going to have to run more tests.

I'm not sure why these aren't more widely available, but other than this shop I've not been able to find cider doughnuts any place else. Imagine my pleasure and surprise then, when I discovered a mix for cider doughnuts exclusively from Stonewall Kitchen.  Naturally I had to give it a try, and owed it to myself, really, since I have that new doughnut pan.  I mixed these together, baked them, brushed them with butter, and dipped them into the provided cinnamon-sugar mixture in just under 45 minutes.  The kitchen smelled fantastic and I was very pleased with the results.  As my husband has been eating cider doughnuts a lot longer than I have, I let him have the first taste.  The look on his face said it all.  These are good.  Now I'm not going to try to convince you that a mix is as good as what can be found in a bakery, but when said bakery is more than 900 miles away, I'm only too happy to have this option.  We were both quite surprised that a baked doughnut could be crispy on the outside and wonderfully moist and cake-y on the inside, but these were.  Priced at around $10 a box, my doughnuts cost about a dollar each.  In my opinion, it was money well spent.

Two thumbs up for this delicious mix!

This post is linked to Sweets for a Saturday.

Pumpkin Spice Donuts

Ever since making Cinnamon Sugar Donuts with a borrowed donut pan I have been obsessed with having one of my own.  I finally bought one and have a dozen recipes that I want to try.  Considering the season, I thought I'd break it in with a batch of Pumpkin Donuts based upon a recipe that I found at Tasty Kitchen for Pumpkin Mini Muffins.  It stood to reason that if this recipe made great little donut-type mini muffins that it would work just as well for donuts.  It did.  I made these this morning while my husband was showering.  By the time he got to the kitchen, all dressed and spiffy, the coffee was ready and a batch of warm cinnamon and sugar-coated donuts were waiting for him on a plate.  Move over Krispy Kreme, I don't need you any more!  Yes, I still love your pumpkin donuts, but these homemade gems are lighter, BAKED instead of fried, made with all-natural ingredients and are so delicious I'm sure to make them again and again.  And with pumpkin as one of the main ingredients they just HAVE to be good for you...right?

[Baked] Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Makes 12 donuts

For Donuts
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoons ground cloves
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup low-fat milk

For Coating
1 stick of unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven 350 degrees F. Spray each cup in a 6-cavity donut pan with baking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and spices (through cloves). In a separate, large bowl whisk together oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin, and milk until smooth. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined -- do not over mix!

Divide batter evenly among sections.  (I filled up a disposable pastry bag and used a large round tip that made this a breeze.) Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

While the donuts bake, melt butter in one bowl and combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in another Remove donuts from oven and cool for 2 minutes, then invert pan onto a cooling rack. Dip each donut in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar to coat.

Pour yourself a cup of coffee (in a Dracula mug, if you have one) and enjoy!