4cupsAll Purpose Flour, divided(plus more for dusting surfaces)
14gramsActive Dry Yeast(2 envelopes)
1 1/2tsp Apple Pie Spice
1largeApple, peeled and finely chopped
1/2cupApple Cider
1/2cupUnsalted Butter
1/4cupHalf & Half(milk can be substituted)
1/4cupGranulated Sugar
1tsp Vanilla Extract
2/3tsp Sea Salt
2largeEggs
72ozVegetable Oil for Frying(about a bottle and a half)
Spiced Glaze
2cupsPowdered Sugar, sifted
1/2tspApple Pie Spice
4TbspHalf & Half(or milk)
1/4tspRum Extract or Brandy Extract
Instructions
Donuts
In a large bowl stir together 2 cups of flour, yeast, and apple pie spice. In a medium saucepan stir together butter, half & half, cider, vanilla, granulated sugar, and salt. Heat until butter is just melted (about 130 degrees F)
Stir apple mixture into flour mixture. Add eggs and combine. Add remaining 2 cups of flour to bowl and stir to fully incorporate.
Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Knead dough about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic, but still soft and slightly sticky. Shape into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl. Let rise 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until doubled in size.
Punch dough down and turn out onto lightly floured surface. Divide in half, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, line two baking sheets with parchment paper and dust them lightly with flour.
Using a rolling pin, roll one dough ball out to 1/2 inch in thickness. Cut dough with floured donut cutter and transfer donuts and holes to prepared baking sheets. Repeat with second dough ball, re-rolling scraps as necessary. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
About 20 minutes before rise time is finished pour oil into heavy 3-qt saucepan. Attach candy thermometer and heat oil to 330 degrees F.
Fry donuts in batches of three, until golden brown (no longer than two minutes). Flip once during that time. Remove donuts with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Maintain oil temperature of 330 degrees to prevent donuts from absorbing too much oil.
Once cooled, dip each donut in glaze. Glaze will be set in about twenty minutes after dipping.
Spiced Glaze
In a small bowl stir together powdered sugar and apple pie spice. Add 4 Tbsp half & half and whisk until glaze is lump-free.