Fall Eats!

The summer garden crops are winding down and autumn is in the air. With a current abundance of apples (thanks to my neighbors) and frozen pumpkin still in the freezer from last year I have been on a baking spree. Here are two of my recently discovered favorites!

Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Ingredients

For the Donuts:
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 cup sugar
6 tablespoons butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup pumpkin puree

For the Buttermilk Glaze:
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Donuts:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, spice and sugar. Whisk together all of the remaining ingredients in a second, medium bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and stir them around the bowl until the mixture is well combined. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, rolling the donut dough to approximately 3/4" thick, then cut with donut cutter. Transfer to a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes, or just until the donuts are cooked through. Dip immediately into buttermilk glaze. Eat warm or let cool.

Buttermilk Glaze:
Whisk together in a small bowl until smooth. Dip hot donuts in the glazed, then allow to dry on a cooling rack.

*Personally I find that the donut taste (rather than bread) is enhanced if you let them sit for a day before eating.

Homemade Apple Cider (Spiced)

Ingredients

10 apples, quartered
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground allspice

Directions

Place apples in a large stockpot and add enough water cover by at least 2 inches. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, and allspice. Bring to a boil. Boil, uncovered, for 1 hour. Cover pot, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 hours. Strain apple mixture though a fine mesh sieve (some sort of strainer). Discard solids. Drain cider again though a cheesecloth lined sieve. Refrigerate until cold or drink warm.