Apple Cinnamon Donuts (Dairy, Egg, Nut Free)

As I mentioned in my last post, we drove out to Jonamac Farms, 45 minutes west, for some apple picking, pumpkin picking and a real Amazing Race adventure in their corn maze. On our way out, we made our usual stop to their store to buy their warm apple cinnamon donuts. The smell of these warm donuts is so strong that it took all of our willpower to wait until heading home before sinking our teeth into them. We always feel sad because Katie can never have any because of her allergies so I felt that this was the year we were going to make our own apple cinnamon donuts.

I found this recipe on the Food Allergy Mama’s website http://www.foodallergymama.com/2009/02/25/dairy-egg-and-nut-free-apple-cinnamon-doughnuts/. I’ve made baked donuts before but we wanted to try frying them. Yikes, I was a bit nervous having never fried in oil before. Frying them was a bit tricky and it took us about four donuts before we started getting the hang of it.  

Apple Cinnamon Donuts (Dairy, Egg, Nut Free)

4 ¾ C  Unbleached All Purpose Flour

3 ½ tsp. Baking Powder

½ tsp. Salt

1 tsp.  Cinnamon

½ tsp. Nutmeg

¾ C    Unsweetened Applesauce

2 tsp.  Vanilla

¾ C    Granulated Sugar

3 T     Dairy Free Margarine, Melted

1 C     Soy or Rice Milk

Vegetable Oil for Frying

Cinnamon Sugar for Topping:

½ C Granulated Sugar

2 tsp. Cinnamon

Makes 12 doughnuts and 12 donut holes

In a mixer, combine applesauce, vanilla and sugar. Add melted margarine and mix well. In a separate medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Add flour mix and non-dairy mix to margarine mix, alternately. Add more flour if needed to make the dough smooth but not too sticky.

In a large, heavy pot, heat 2-3 inches of vegetable oil until the candy thermometer reaches 375 degrees.

In the meantime, transfer dough to a lightly floured board. Knead and roll out to a ½ inch thickness.

Dip doughnut cutter into flour and cut into dough. Remove trimmings and re-roll. Repeat the process.

Slide a few doughnuts carefully in oil. You do not want to crowd the pot. 

Fry until the doughnuts rise to the surface, about 2 minutes, then turn over with metal tongs to fry over the other side. Doughnuts should be golden brown. Lift out with metal thongs and drain on paper towels.

Place cinnamon sugar mixture in brown paper bag. Place warm doughnuts, one at a time in the brown bag and shake. Shake off excess sugar. Enjoy, they are best warm! Even Gumby enjoyed them!