Javamelts Caramel Apple Cider Donuts

It’s Fall and the nights are cooler, the days are warm and dry and the leaves are absolutely the most beautiful colors so this recipe definitely hits the spot!!!! 

Dough: 

• 4 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 cup @javamelts caramel sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp rapid-rise yeast, standard package 
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp apple pie spice
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened, cubed
• 1/2 cup milk, warm  
• 3 eggs egg yolk  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• For frying 8 cups vegetable oil

Topping: 

• 1/2 cup @javamelts caramel sugar
• Caramel sauce, optional

Filling:

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2-3 apples, diced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup @javamelts caramel sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp apple cider

Instructions:

1. Dough: combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, apple pie spice and rapid rise yeast in a bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together. Scatter softened butter on top of dry ingredients. Ensure milk is at 110°F and combine in a mixing bowl eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk together. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Using a dough hook attachment, beat for 10 minutes till dough forms. With oil hands knead into a ball for a couple minutes. Place dough into a greased bowl. Cover dough with plastic wrap and a towel. Let dough rise for 2hrs in a warm place, till it doubles in size. Punch dough down. On a clean surface knead dough back into a ball, then roll dough into a rectangle. Using a 3-inch cookie cutter, cut dough and place on individual parchment squares on a baking sheet. Cover and let rise for an additional 45 minutes. 
2. Prepare Oil: while the dough is rising by adding 8 cups of vegetable oil to a pot. Heat to 345° F.
3. Make Filling: in a medium saucepan on medium heat add butter till melted. Add apples, brown sugar, Javamelts, cinnamon and apple cider. Constantly stir for about 5 minutes till the apples thicken.
4. Frying: fry donuts for about 2 min on each side. Remove with tongs and place on a paper towel cooling rack. 
5. Topping: roll donut into Javamelts Caramel sugar while still warm. With a large round tipped piping bag pipe apple filling into donuts. Optional to spread additional caramel, and apples on top. Eat warm and enjoy! 

Recipe and photo credit  Theresa Carney @sweetmonkeyblog