• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Tropical Pina Colada
  • Beef Gravy

Cooking With Curls logo

Home ยป Breakfast ยป Apple Ale Doughnuts

September 20, 2013 43 Comments

Apple Ale Doughnuts

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.

3464shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
apple ale doughnuts sitting on white plate with a bottle of apple ale in the background

Woo Hoo!!! It is Spiked! Recipe Challenge time again, and this time the spiked ingredient isย FALL BEERS! What? Pumpkin, or apple beers used to make…..? My mind went blank…again! I have already told you before that I do not drink beer, so I obviously have no idea what a fall beer would taste like or what I should make with it. Then it dawned on me…..

apple ale doughnuts sitting on white plate with a bottle of apple ale in the background

What if I make apple cider doughnuts, using apple ale instead of cider!!! That should work…right? So I headed off to the grocery store to speak to the wonderfully helpful employees and ask about apple beers. She didn’t even have to think about it, she immediately said REDD’S Apple Ale. Then the cute construction worker that that was standing in front of the beer cooler, wholeheartedly agreed with her. So REDD’S Apple Ale it is!

glazed doughnut sitting on a white plate with a bottle of apple ale in the background

How to make Apple Ale Doughnuts:

Heat the apple ale in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until it is reduced to 1/4 cup, about 20 – 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together is a medium sized bowl. Set aside.

In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until smooth.

Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until fully incorporated. Use a rubber spatula to occasionally scrap down the sides as necessary.

Gradually add the reduced apple ale and the buttermilk, mixing just until combined.

Add the flour mixture, and continue to mix just until dough comes together. This dough is very sticky.

apple ale dough on a flour covered marble slab

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and generously coat with flour. Turn the dough out onto one of the baking sheets, and press down with your hands until it is about 1/2 inch thick. Use more flour is dough is still wet. Place the dough and baking sheet in the freezer for 20 minutes until slightly hardened.

Dough flattened out on floured parchment paper

Remove from freezer, and cut out 3 inch circles with 1 inch holes in the center.

doughnut cut outs on a parchment paper lined baking sheet

Place the cut doughnuts and doughnut holes onto the second baking pan. Re-roll dough scraps and cut out remaining circles. Refrigerate the doughnuts for 20 to 30 minutes.

Heat 2 to 3 inches of oil in a large deep-sided pan until a candy thermometer reaches 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with several layers of paper towels and set aside.

Gently drop a few doughnuts at a time into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry until golden brown, turn over and fry the other side.

doughnuts frying in hot oil in a large blue pot

Remove doughnuts from oil and drain on paper towels for one minute.

fried doughnuts sitting on paper towels on a baking sheet

Dip the warm doughnuts into the glaze or cinnamon sugar.

cinnamon sugar coated doughnut on a white plate with a bottle of apple ale in the background

I do not have an official doughnut cutter, since I almost never make doughnuts, so I used a 3 inch circle cutter and an apple corer. It seemed appropriate to use an apple corer to make the smaller hole! ๐Ÿ˜‰

apple corer used to cut dough circles into doughnuts

I prefer the glazed version, and so does my camera. I had a heck of a time trying to get it to focus and take a picture! These doughnuts DO NOT taste like beer at all!! When they are still warm, the apple flavor is more prominent than it is the next day. They are delicious and disappeared very quickly! Even though I chose apple, I am sure that these would work just as well with a pumpkin ale! Oooh, maybe I will try those next. ๐Ÿ˜‰

more delicious doughnut recipes:

Apple Cider Doughnuts – the original version without alcohol

Pumpkin Ale Doughnuts

Maple Glazed Donuts – baked, not fried

***Update: I WON!!! That’s right, these delicious Apple Ale Doughnuts won the Spiked! Recipe Challenge!!!

Enjoy!!

apple ale doughnuts sitting on white plate with a bottle of apple ale in the background

Apple Ale Doughnuts

Apple Ale Doughnuts are a spiked version of the original fall classic!
5 from 1 vote
Print
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: traditional apple cider doughnuts made with apple ale
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Freezing Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 20 Servings
Calories: 220kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

  • 1 cup apple ale can substitute apple cider
  • 3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup coconut milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar
  • oil for frying

Apple Ale Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons apple ale or apple cider

Cinnamon Sugar

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Heat the apple ale (or cider) in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until it is reduced to 1/4 cup, about 20 - 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  • Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together is a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
  • In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until smooth.
  • Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until fully incorporated. Use a rubber spatula to occasionally scrap down the sides as necessary.
  • Gradually add the reduced apple ale and the buttermilk, mixing just until combined.
  • Add the flour mixture, and continue to mix just until dough comes together. It was very sticky.
  • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and generously coat with flour. Turn the dough out onto one of the baking sheets, and press down with your hands until it is about 1/2 inch thick. Use more flour is dough is still wet. Place the dough and baking sheet in the freezer for 20 minutes until slightly hardened.
  • Remove from freezer, and cut out 3 inch circles with 1 inch holes in the center.
  • Place the cut doughnuts and doughnut holes onto the second baking pan. Re-roll dough scraps and cut out remaining circles. Refrigerate the doughnuts for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Heat 2 to 3 inches of oil in a large deep-sided pan until a candy thermometer reaches 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with several layers of paper towels and set aside.
  • Gently drop a few doughnuts at a time into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry until golden brown, turn over and fry the other side.
  • Remove doughnuts from oil and drain on paper towels for one minute.
  • Dip the warm doughnuts into the glaze or cinnamon sugar.

Notes

Nutrition Facts include all of the glaze and all of the cinnamon sugar.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 129mg | Potassium: 85mg | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1.2mg
Previous Post: « Chicken Fajitas
Next Post: Caramel Custard »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karen says

    September 20, 2013 at 11:46 am

    Oh goodness. I am not usually a donut fan but these are tempting. I hope you’ll let us know if you try a pumpkin version.

    Reply
  2. Emily @ One.1.Northwood says

    September 20, 2013 at 11:55 am

    What a great idea! These look really yummy. It’s fun seeing what everyone is coming up with!

    Reply
  3. Angela says

    September 20, 2013 at 12:37 pm

    Oooooh! These sound delish! LOVE the idea! Now I know what to do with my leftover apple beer. I’m not a beer drinker either so I have 5 bottles of the Apple Shock Top left! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  4. Heather @ Sugar Dish Me says

    September 20, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    Girl. I hope you know how much i love these!!! Redd’s is DELICIOUS!!! Also– we are visiting a hard cider mill tomorrow and I am totally trying out this recipe. The cure construction worker was likely my other half — giving sage beer advice… sounds about right. Thanks Lisa for giving us such an awesome fall recipe!!

    Reply
  5. Carrie @ Frugal Foodie Mama says

    September 20, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    This is such an amazing and delicious idea, Lisa! I LOVE these, and am so wishing I could have 1 or 2 of these for breakfast tomorrow. Think you could FedEx them overnight? I take bribes… ๐Ÿ˜‰ lol!

    Good luck in the Spiked! Fall Beers Recipe Challenge! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  6. shamene@sayitwithcake says

    September 21, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    I love this recipe and I love your step by step tutorial with the pictures! Awesome!!

    Reply
  7. Winnie says

    September 21, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    These doughnuts simply look HEAVENLY !!!

    Reply
  8. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    September 22, 2013 at 12:29 am

    Lisa these look SO yummy!! Right up my ally – I want one now! Pinned and sharing tomorrow on FB/Twitter!! xoxo

    Reply
  9. Jenny.U says

    September 24, 2013 at 8:40 pm

    OMG, seriously…WOW!! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday linky party!
    Jenny

    Reply
  10. Julie @ THis Gal Cooks says

    September 26, 2013 at 9:33 am

    YUM! I love what you have come up with, Lisa! Apple Ale Donuts? I think Dunkin Donuts needs to have you start making these for their Fall donut collection! ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks so much for participating in the Spiked! Challenge!

    Reply
  11. Heather @ French Press says

    September 27, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    I’m not much for beer, but doughnuts Oh YES! they look amazing

    Reply
  12. Kate says

    September 28, 2013 at 12:37 pm

    Yum!! I don’t drink alcohol, but apple cider donuts are one of favorite things. I am going to have to try these because they look delicious! PS – I just saw that you’re in Eastern Iowa. I went to law school at University of Iowa. I love that area!! =)

    Reply
  13. Cathy says

    September 28, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    Congrautulations on winning the challenge! Yum! These look awesome! I have a deep fryer and I’m thinking a batch of these needs to be made SOON!

    Happy Saturday! Cathy

    Reply
  14. Deanna says

    September 29, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    looks amazing, wish i had one right now! thanks for sharing
    Deanna from cookingtherecipe.com

    Reply
  15. Dani @ See Hubby Cook says

    September 30, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    Ooooh! My MIL and I were just talking last week about how hard it is to find a good apple cider donut recipe (they either fall apart or don’t have enough apple oomph). I’m gonna have to tell her about this one! They’ll be eaten within hours of being made, so no need to worry about disappearing flavor ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  16. Cindy Eikenberg says

    September 30, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    Wow, Lisa!!! These look so absolutely delicious and congratulations on the win!!! Oh my gosh, I would LOVE to have one of these!!! Can you bring some to the party Friday night? ๐Ÿ˜‰ Great job, my friend!!! Pinning!

    Reply
  17. Kat @ I Want Crazy says

    September 30, 2013 at 8:09 pm

    Where have these been all my life! I drink Redds all the time and never thought to bake with it – GENIUS! I am going to have to try and save a bottle the next time and try this! You rock!

    Reply
  18. Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says

    September 30, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    Hi Lisa – thanks for linking these up to MM this week! Will be shared on FB and pinned! They look amazing!!

    Reply
  19. Sheryl@Lady Behind The Curtain says

    October 01, 2013 at 11:16 pm

    Hi Lisa,
    Your donuts look delicious!

    Reply
  20. Traci says

    October 02, 2013 at 7:42 am

    What a delicious recipe!! I love how different and unique it is. (The pictures turned out great by the way!)

    Reply
  21. Angela says

    October 02, 2013 at 9:49 am

    Stopping by from the Tasty Tuesday Blog Hop! Love your blog!!!! Looking forward to following along.

    Reply
  22. Nicole says

    October 03, 2013 at 1:09 pm

    This donut looks legit! I want a dozen ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  23. Maria says

    October 04, 2013 at 7:33 pm

    Oh these look SO incredibly delicious!!! I could definitely eat one (or a few!)

    Reply
  24. Ellya Brill says

    October 04, 2013 at 7:33 pm

    O my….must make this in the near future. Pinning.

    Ellya

    Reply
  25. Diane Balch says

    October 06, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    Great idea with the apple ale. Probably gave the donuts a richer flavor. Thanks so much for sharing these with us on foodie friday.

    Reply
  26. Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says

    October 07, 2013 at 9:00 am

    You have me officially craving doughnuts this morning! These look so good!!!

    Reply
  27. Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says

    October 07, 2013 at 8:08 pm

    What a great recipe! My husband loves Redd’s apple apple so I am sure he would love these.

    Reply
  28. Rachel @ I Love My Disorganized Life says

    October 08, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    Oh my gosh, Lisa, these looks absolutely fabulous!

    Reply
  29. Christine says

    March 15, 2014 at 11:45 am

    A craving for apple bread something just hit me this afternoon (after buying mangoes and pineapples…) …this looks so good!

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      March 20, 2014 at 10:12 pm

      Thank you so much Christine. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  30. Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3 says

    March 21, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    I’ve been wanting to buy a donut pan lately, and now I’m wishing I already had one! I know that fried donuts are way tastier, but I hate dealing with hot oil ๐Ÿ™‚ These look amazing! Pinning.
    Thanks for sharing at Saturday Dishes! Hope to see you back for the party again tonight!

    Reply
    • Lisa Johnson says

      March 21, 2014 at 7:25 pm

      Thank you Jamie, but this recipe will not work with a donut pan. These will need to be fried in order to cook properly. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  31. Cathy says

    August 27, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    Oh do these doughnut look and sound amazing!!!! I have to give this recipe a try! Saying hello from freedom Fridays!
    Cathy

    Reply
  32. Karly says

    August 29, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    What an irresistible treat for the weekend! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!

    Reply
  33. Katie says

    August 31, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    Wow donuts and ale?!?!?!?! Best combo ever, thanks again for sharing!

    Reply
  34. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says

    September 03, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    I have never made donuts before, Lisa, but these look amazing! I have to see if I can find that apple ale! These look like the perfect fall treat!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Visit our sister site

Looking for something?

Footer

Categories

Connect with me!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer & Disclosure
Website Accessibility Policy

Copyright ยฉ 2012-2021 Cooking with Curlsยฎ | All Rights Reserved