Javamelts Caramel Apple Cider Donuts

It’s Labor Day weekend and the nights are cooler, the days are warm and dry 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