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Apple Cider Donut Saturday

We stepped out of the cool, dark house on a warm, late summer morning.  The sun filtered its way through the oak, maple, and elm leaves on a sleepy block. We were on our way to collect treasures that may be signaling the season change or just a fun nature nugget.

Family of 4 walks on a quiet residential street in the early morning It wasn’t long before our walk took us to an adorable neighborhood playground. The trees gave way to the morning sun and the humidity hung silently in the air around us, which was cheerfully dotted with the kids’ enthusiasm for play.

Toddler girl smiles as she climbs playground equipment Dad smiles as he supports his toddler daughter on playground equipmentDad reaches arms to daughter climbing playground equipment while son follows during a Madison family photography sessionMom and Dad support their two children on playground equipment during a Madison family photography sessionWe discover an elaborate web in on a neighbor’s front lawn.
Black and white. Mom and daughter explore a large spider web illuminated in the sun during a Madison family photographer session. Back at home, it is time to make the donuts.

Male hands crack an egg in a glass bowl during a Madison family photographer session

There is measuring, whisking, cracking, stirring with bright chatter and serious recipe-building directions.
Toddler girl stirs the flour in a bowl during a Madison family photographer sessionMom helps move dry ingredients to a second bowl while two kids help make donuts during a Madison family photographer sessionDad stirs the ingredients in dramatic light with toddler smiling during a Madison family photographer session

dad stirs, daughter reaches in bag while baking in the kitchen during a Madison family photographer sessionFamily of 4 works together making donuts in the kitchen during a Madison family photographer sessionblack and white. Tight crop of family of 4 squeezing donut dough into prepared pans during a Madison family photographer sessionMom holds bag of donut dough while son guides it into the prepared pan during a Madison family photographer sessionFamily of 4 make donuts in their kitchen during a Madison family photographer session

And now we wait.

black and white. daughter illuminated by the oven light as she checks on the baking donuts during a Madison family photographer session

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

via Sally’s Baking Addiction

Ingredients

  • 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) apple cider
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon apple pie spice*
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) milk, at room temperature*
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Topping

  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon apple pie spice*
  • 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Stirring occasionally, simmer the apple cider in a small saucepan over low heat until you’re left with about 1/2 cup. Start checking at 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, etc until you have 1/2 cup (120ml). Mine takes about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray donut pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  3. Make the donuts: Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
  4. Whisk the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together. Pour into the dry ingredients, add the reduced apple cider, and whisk everything together until smooth and combined. Batter will be slightly thick.
  5. Spoon the batter into the donut cavities—for ease, I highly recommend using a large zipped-top bag. Cut a corner off the bottom of the bag and pipe the batter into each donut cup, filling about halfway.
  6. Bake for 10-11 minutes or until the edges and tops are lightly browned. To test, poke your finger into the top of the donut. If the donut bounces back, they’re done. Cool donuts for 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Re-grease the pan and bake the remaining donut batter.
  7. Coat the donuts: Combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice together in a medium bowl. Once cool enough to handle, dunk both sides of each donut in the melted butter, then generously in the apple spice topping.
  8. Donuts are best served immediately. Leftovers keep well covered tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Family of 4 reads two different books on the couch together during a Madison family photographer sessionBlack and white. Mom reads a book to 2 kids on the couch during a Madison family photographer sessionMany colorful circle dishes in the sink during a Madison family photographer sessionA cinnamon-sugar mixture will finish the donuts in all their messy glory. Wait for it….

Dad whisks a cinnamon sugar mixture for the donuts

Free smells! We waft the delicious aroma toward our noses; we can’t get enough of Saturday morning apple cider donuts!

Boy stands next to kitchen counter with freshly baked donuts using his hand to waft the smell toward him Mom and daughter dramatically use their hands to waft the air of freshly baked donuts toward them

Oh yeah, time to get our hands messy!

4 family members dip donuts in butter and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture Prepared apple cider donuts on the table while hands working to make more in the background The kids eat fresh donuts, smiling, Black and white. Girl is super smiley while eating a freshly baked homemade apple cider donutDaughter shares a bite of her apple cider donuts with her dad Child art wall in family home

How do you spend your Saturdays?  Let me document your ordinary morning together!

Check out other family sessions here!

xo,

Jen

 

Allie shared this review with the world several years ago:

A friend recommended Jen Lucas to me and we couldn’t have been happier with the entire experience. Not only did she take the most beautiful pictures of our son and family, but working with her was such a joy. She was incredibly responsive to all of my questions, got back to me immediately, was very flexible with scheduling the photoshoot, and her turnaround time with the pictures was very quick. Best of all, her pictures were amazing. We didn’t expect a stranger to be able to capture such intimate and personal connections, however, she can into our house and took the most lovely and precious pictures. If you are looking for someone to take pictures of your family go no further, hire Jen!

 

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