Baked Apple Cider Donuts (gluten free!)

I realize most people are in full-blown Pumpkin Spice mode these days, but we just can't get enough of apples.

Our family has a little tradition of driving to an orchard every fall to pick our own apples and berries, and learn more about life as a farmer (see the post stories from (their) past).

Often we'll do it on Labor Day to celebrate those who labor for us, but sadly since we had a massive snow in May (on Mother's Day!!), all the orchards around us were closed to self-pickers like us.

Apparently that crazy late snow did quite a number on the trees and the harvest they were able to provide.

But I thought I'd still share with you an (adapted) recipe from YaYa's Farm & Orchard.

I'm not a donut person, but these are absolutely addictive...and don't land hard in our stomachs.

Truly, whether you're into the whole Gluten Free thing or not, you need to try them.

Use regular flour if that's what you have on hand.

I found these donut-shaped baking pans on Amazon.

They work wonderfully...just make sure you spray in-between each batch you place into the oven.

Oooh! And please don't let my photos confuse you...I'm going to post the recipe as it was originally found, but because we have such a large family, I double it.

So the photos show the ingredients when doubled.

WARNING on that though! The recipe makes A LOT, so doubling it basically feeds the entire neighborhood. And then some.

Seriously.

Just warning you. You may want to buy more than one baking pan!

And here ends my warning.

Also, when I bake with our children, I often pre measure all the ingredients.

I don't typically do this with the older boys, but it's helpful with the little girls.

And let's be honest, it's pretty when writing a blogpost, haha.

See how beautifully these fall out of the pan?!

While still warm, simply brush on melted butter and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over the top.

I did a 60-40 ratio of raw sugar and regular white refined sugar. I like the way the raw sugar decorates the top so beautifully with it's larger granules, so obviously used more of that.

And sprinkle over the bowl so you don't waste any of that yumminess!

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