Claire Saffitz Makes Apple Cider Donuts | Dessert Person

Claire Saffitz Makes Apple Cider Donuts | Dessert Person
Apple Cider Doughnuts, that stalwart of autumn and a harbinger of the holidays, are often oily, lacking in apple flavor, and disappointingly stale. But it’s not their fault! Turns out doughnuts are better made at home so they can be eaten fresh, and as long as you follow Claire’s tips for a successful cake doughnut, you can enjoy this perfect taste of fall! Follow along.
#ClaireSaffitz #AppleCiderDonuts #Donuts
Ingredients:
2 cups cider -- boiled down to ½ cup
½ cup apple butter
½ cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large eggs, at room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Cinnamon sugar and oil, for assembling
Video Breakdown:
0:00 Start
0:12 Intro to Apple Cider Donuts
0:45 Dessert Person Jingle
1:04 Claire's Opinion on Apple Cider Donuts
2:04 Ingredients & Special Equipment
3:25 Mix Wet & Dry Ingredients
7:45 Incorporate Ingredients
12:19 Cut out Donuts
15:29 How To Fry Donuts
19:05 Claire Tries The Best Apple Cider Donut
20:43 Check Out Spud's New Trick
Thanks for watching!
Dessert Person Online: www.dessertperson.com/
Claire on Instagram: csaffitz?h...
Claire Merchandise: www.dessertperson.com/buystuff
Penguin Random House Books: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/
Dessert Person Cookbook
Photographer: Alex Lau
Food Stylist: Sue Li
Prop Stylist: Astrid Chastka
Video Series:
Producer/Director: @VincentCross
Camera Operator: Calvin Robertson
Sound Engineer/Music: Michael Guggino
Editor: Hal McFall
Vlog Material: Claire Saffitz
Animation Credits:
Character Designer/Animator: Jack Sherry
Character Rigger: Johara Dutton
Background/Prop Designer: M. Cody Wiley
Background Illustrator: Jagriti Khirwar

[@CSaffitz]

Apple Cider Donuts… Are they good? It’s just the question I have.

[@laurenschenck5355]

SOOO GOOD 🥰

[@Maymay-on4qy]

Wth even are apple cider donuts. I’ve never tried lol

[@smooglewoogle1695]

Not particularly-but an apple fritter is!

[@sheai4955]

Claire YES

[@lynn_hathaway15]

Yes! So good, but for me, incredibly filling. I can only eat half of one.

[@jessemosqueda1603]

Can we just acknowledge how integral the video team is the success of this show? They've created something unique and entertaining on a platform bombarded with food content.

[@RafaelElectronic]

Well said, there’s something truly special about this show

[@CB-hd6wg]

I was just getting ready to post a similar sentiment. Claire is awesome, but the technical crew and editing team deserve a world of respect, too. It's such a fantastic collaboration and the result is something truly unique and exceptional.

[@chelseynegron]

It's the little animations for me. The quick sheep outline against the dough is so cute and endearing.

[@awkwardtrumpet128]

the character development in this was so good

[@nylorij-Lori]

There’s something charming and comforting watching Claire cook and bake in a kitchen that doesn’t look like a page from a Williams-Sonoma catalog… 💗

[@sarahgriffin7649]

I agree! Sterile perfect kitchens without ingredients and appliances all over, are not where good food comes from! 😤

[@davimello3749]

therapy: expensive watching claire making donuts: free

[@carrisaamado]

So true 😂

[@woutijland4983]

Yes

[@adwagmusic]

Sincerely the inner peace I feel right now is so nice. And it’s been a hard day!

[@Emma-Maze]

If I was born in the US I'd be dead :)

[@keeranm]

Claire! THE EDITING😂😭 your editor deserves a raise for humouring me throughout ❤️

[@codysoo2]

The little music stings as the mixer almost falls over when the dough is being mixed...just perfect.

[@Gulgonful]

God bless Claire for having the courage to stand up to Big Cider. This time of year is especially hard for my family. My brother was injured in the cider conflicts. Sometimes I feel like I'm crazy, the industrial apple complex has all but erased this tragic history.

[@aleks-33]

😆😆😆

[@bubblerpopper1234]

The editing on these videos is phenomenal. That moment when Claire was patting the donut dough and it was in tune to the beat was so lovely...

[@tiffanyhornick5675]

Yes!!!

[@jamesgoese7388]

That tune was super hip. Would love to know if it's a full thing or something small they found or composed.

[@danbev8542]

And the wonderful smiley face on the pot of oil. -it’s all the perfect amount of whimsy!

[@tati.l.]

Am I the only one who loves Cal's interjections? He's adorable.

[@Margar02]

This channel has such a vibe, with the cat footage and the silly little doodles superimposed on things. I just love it!

[@_sofie]

I mean I’m sure you’re not but I don’t like it. He could make his own channel I’m here to learn and to watch Claire.

[@Margar02]

@@_sofie anything on Claire's channel is there because she wants it to be there, so if you don't like it, you don't like what Claire is putting out there. He is part of her team.

[@ryanwaege7251]

Should Fitting Stuff in the Fridge/Freezer make the cut? "No." - Claire "Yesssssss!" - Vinny & me

[@CryogenicFire]

Felix's "Mrrreooowww" and Spud's new trick added extra sweetness to this episode 😻

[@nickbriggs9620]

I’m sure these points of frustration like the freezer door or having to microwave the butter yet again aren’t fun to deal with… but thanks for leaving them in… I love them… makes me feel normal lol

[@daniel6678]

right? it’s reassuring that even an expert like claire has struggles like that, it’s not just that i’m incompetent or something

[@missymay1160]

Was just going to comment this! I hate when things get that frustrating. And realizing they didn’t edit that part out.

[@susanwhite1450]

Exactly! I was thinking to myself, "Claire's just a regular person like me."

[@benvillanobv]

Totally! We all know she’s AMAZING and seeing her deal with those things makes me feel like it’s ok not to be perfect (like other creators make it look like it should be ) and it’s very motivating

[@TenaciousP45]

I appreciate her using store bought preground spices. Like "I'm not toasting that shit and grinding it. What is this the Ritz?" Very approachable and homey.

[@MarioMVasilev]

So happy to see more cabin baking!

[@cmfsobl]

omg you guys, I just came up with the most brilliant idea. Claire reinventing and improving recipes that she hates and walking us through the whole process from the typical recipe to her improved version!

[@Issor_Rossi]

YAAAYY MORE CABIN AND DONUTS (even tho Claire doesn't like donuts that much)

[@poop696969poop]

*'Nam flashbacks to Sourdoughnuts and Krispy Kreme*

[@BlowUpTheOutsideWorld]

@@poop696969poop God I read Soundgarden instead of Sourdough every time...

[@dreamofmedeukae]

Ending this with Spud's new trick was so nice 😊

[@johnnytsunami420]

The quality of the lighting, editing, talent 🥰, sound engineering...it just blows me away that they can achieve tv quality production with such a small team

[@taylorsmith2255]

YAYYYYY! Cozy Cabin Claire has returned.

[@heretic3334]

I love how the crew has also been more present in the videos lately! :D

[@emilynowak7952]

Claire, I just want to thank you for these recipes and tutorials. I have been working on managing my anxiety and baking my way through Dessert Person is helping me immensely. Thank you not only for the incredible concoctions, but also the opportunity to better myself 💕 please pet Felix, Maya and Archie for me!

[@hmccron]

Baking is such a therapeutic activity! I also use it to help manage my mental health challenges. Which have been your favourite recipes so far?

[@emilynowak7952]

@@hmccron I have made the almond butter banana bread countless times. Recently I made the flourless chocolate wave cake (a new challenge!). The soft and crispy focaccia is particularly therapeutic 😌 and over the summer I dove into the roasted eggplant dip with feta stuffed Flatbread!

[@hmccron]

@@emilynowak7952 All recipes that I haven’t tried myself! I’ve made the Halva Blondies, the Tahini Challah, the Malted Forever Brownies, the Pumpkin Pie, and Claire’s pie crust. I’m looking forward to trying some of the fancier/more time consuming recipes when I have time over the holidays! Wishing you all the best in your baking (and health)!

[@lycheezombie605]

That’s so amazing! I’m so happy that you have found an outlet for your anxiety. I got the book last year for Christmas and I’m hoping that this fall/winter i can get into baking more like i used to.

[@CarpeCupcake]

Part of the charm of cider donuts is the context! A hot cider donut on a chilly autumn morning at the apple orchard when your fingers and toes are cold and all the leaves are red and gold, and you've also got hot spiced cider to sip? Absolute heaven.

[@JenniferJadeKerr]

The dough sheep made me laugh out loud rather unexpectedly! These videos give me so much joy. (And I dressed up like Claire for Halloween, so there's that.)

[@London1869]

Oh wow, I wish I had thought of that. I want to be Claire for Halloween next year.

[@consciouscommunity3897]

👏👏👏 Japanese apron and all excellent

[@JenniferJadeKerr]

@@consciouscommunity3897 Yep! And my trusty offset spatula in the apron pocket!

[@princesskaha]

@@London1869 just a reminder in case ... it's next year 😃

[@noix666dezephir]

It wouldn’t be an episode of Dessert Person if Claire didn’t struggle with a fridge lol Lots of love from France ❤️

[@LpShyGuy]

I love the jamming things into the fridge segment, its relatable!

[@LivinInSim]

I love things falling even more, I guess because I am a quite violent cook?

[@LivinInSim]

...in a very small kitchen.

[@doozledazzle]

i watch your videos for sometimes for inspiration, sometimes to get some baking knowledge, and always for the vibes. you have such a comforting aura

[@lillithanne9704]

Claire, seeing you on the floor struggling to get the pan in the freezer as I have so many times in life, gives me hope and makes me feel much less a failure. Thank you. I love you.

[@beanybabi22]

I made these for Thanksgiving and boy were they challenging! Claire makes them look a LOT easier. The dough is extremely sticky and soft! Impossible to manage. I ended up just dropping lumps of dough into the fryer. That being said, they are delicious but you need to very generously flour the top and bottom of the dough before putting it in the fridge/freezer. I thought freezing it for a longer time would help but nope. I don’t think I’ll make it again only because of the amount of work it took and the fact that they did not come out aesthetically pleasing at all.

[@TheNOTAUSTIN]

Same thing happened to me! Way too sticky

[@Aegyogirl69]

I made these today and so thankful I read your post. You’re right. Super sticky even after I added an extra half cup of flour and chilled it for half an hour. Flouring over and under the dough is super critical. And not a light sprinkle the way Claire did it in the video. You need A LOT of flour. I managed to cut them out and they did taste yummy but phew quite a bit of work went into this.

[@miglelaur]

I am happy I've found your comment. I tried to make these yesterday and the dough was SO hard to work with. All the time I kept thinking wtf did I manage to do wrong. Glad to see that I'm not the only one who's struggled.

[@azfuzzball]

Mine was absolutely liquid until I added another 2 cups of flour and then it resembled the video

[@TheDarkeststar91]

Just made these this morning and had the same experience without having read the comments first. Dough was so wet once mixed that I added probably a half cup of flour on top before attempting to roll out and found I could just pat it into place and could skip the rolling step. That should have been my first sign something was up. Heavily floured the parchment paper on bottom, generously floured on top, freezer for 5 minutes...dough was completely stuck to the bottom parchment. Ending up getting one donut and one hole out and fried those as testers and put the dough back in the freezer before attempting to cut any more. Ended up waiting another 5 minutes, pulling it back out, and could hardly cut them while they were still stuck to the parchment. Ended up misshaping almost all of them to get them off the parchment, but just floured my hands, patted them into shape and put them back on floured parchment to put back into the freezer for about 10 more minutes before frying. Every surface the donuts touched in prep for the oil was heavily floured, and I probably ended up with an extra cup in the dough by the time I could get them in the oil. Still came out tasting good, but had temperature control issues due to probably how cold they were when hitting the oil and ended up over-frying most of them. I'd like to try them again but it's such an involved process I don't know if I want to.

[@yoominjoo]

bless you Claire for providing us full of joy and happiness! Always grateful for your kind and insightful tutorials and stories

[@JosyBun]

Claire you are such an excellent teacher. Every time I follow along to your baking videos I always churn out an absolutely delicious product. You made me fall in love with baking, and turned it into a relaxing and enjoyable activity as opposed to the stressful and taxing one I initially felt it was when I first started out. Thank you for being so excellent!

[@ronnnnie]

love the editing! lots of humorous surprises!!

[@rainwater4650]

Just wanted to drop my love for this show, Claire, the team, and honestly the cat cams. I wouldn’t mind an episode on everyone’s cats just for funsies. 💜

[@14renst]

And what an impressive kitty!!!!

[@aliciagarcia8350]

The little cartoony edits are absolute gold, the animation team has my heart. My fav is the frying pot at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="140">2:20</a> and the dough sheep at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="647">10:47</a>

[@kg8487]

So excited to try these! Thank you so much for all the detailed tips/instructions. I am a cake donut aficionado, and love apple cinnamon flavors, so I think I will LOVE them.

[@althyastar]

I love these videos, Claire. Please keep making them. I'm hoping for your cook book for Christmas!

[@8ladymajor8]

Made these today as a group project after visiting the pumpkin patch and they. Were. Phenomenal. Perfect texture. Light as air. Clare's advice took all the nerves out of these deep frying novices. We're thrilled and can't wait to try it again! Thank you for making our autumnal weekend so special.

[@chrisgirven2264]

this is so amazing, litterally claire is so comforting

[@jonathanhestroffer4469]

I was thinking about making these for the first time this week and now Claire makes the exact same video recipe! The stars have aligned.

[@ShehnazKhan1]

Watching Claire constantly trying to find somewhere to put things in her side-by-side freezer always reminds me why I hate that style of refrigerator. Always top- or bottom-freezer for me!

[@dominiqueetienne8529]

Explain please ? What's the kind of fridge you have?

[@kebbinator]

@@dominiqueetienne8529 They did? A top or bottom freezer.

[@TimeLapseRich]

Side by side refrigerators like that one are horrible for home cooking, they are more for drinks and condiments. I added a cheap frezzer on top fridge to the kitchen in my rental.

[@ShehnazKhan1]

@@dominiqueetienne8529 I have the freezer on the top above the regular fridge area. But I am also okay with fridges that have the freezer compartment on the bottom. They both are better configured space-wise and not so narrow.

[@kathyreams3249]

My husband and I just found your show! We love watching you, you make things look so easy!

[@shannondavidson8069]

The sound effects when the hand mixer moved really got me! I love it!

[@rbsistah21]

I watched your video and made these apple cider doughnuts last week. They were absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing.

[@aarikacharlebois7904]

I've been eyeing out apple cider doughnuts recipes lately and Claire just goes ahead and gives us this gem! I guess this is my sign to make em.

[@scarlettd5688]

THANK YOU FOR STRUGGLING TO FIND/FIT FREEZER SPACE!!! This is so relatable!!

[@miglelaur]

Tried to make these for NYE. First the dough turned out to be SO sticky it was absolutely unmanageable. Ended up adding an extra 1c flour, sprinkling MUCH more flour on the sheets of parchment (otherwise it just turns out into a mush from all the moisture in the dough) and chilling for an extra few hours. In the end it was better but I still found it impossible to cut doughnuts out of it. In the end, loaded it into a pastry bag and fried them churros-style. It was delicious, but definitely not an easy recipe - not sure if it is worth all the work. That's a bit sad, because I usually find Claire's recipes to be delicious and inspiring.

[@dapperrokyuu]

Its been a bit since Ive been able to actually sit down and watch an episode, and this was really enjoyable! Along with Claire being great as always, I just wanted to show appreciation to the editor for the little flourishes that make episodes even more dynamic. Like the music when Claire was patting down the dough (subtle, transition in and out was fun), the sheep drawn around the dough bit, putting music in quiet moments, etc. Thank you so much to everyone who contributes to these vids!

[@RuebenOtero]

I think it'd be sweet to have an alt intro song when Claire's at the cabin

[@aimeeparrott9204]

Do do do do do do Dessert Cabin

[@c00lmike]

It makes me so happy that Claire's channel is doing so well

[@bonnierodger7719]

Thank you Chef for sharing your wisdom. Happy to see you have your own channel.

[@maxpowers247]

The editing has always been very good, but it's started to become _truly_ excellent - big props to the editor for their light effortless touches that give the videos the best vibez

[@laurenmichelle8399]

Warm apple cider donuts from an apple orchard can’t be beat!!! So good!

[@13tubamaster]

Who else got a little confused and then remembered Babish did an apple cider donut video a week ago.

[@StarCrusher.]

Took me about a minute, Yeah

[@k.k.hickey1725]

I actually thought this was a weird repost for a second.

[@acinixys]

@@k.k.hickey1725 Same lmfao

[@suzanneleshovsky8650]

I thought she had done an Apple Cider Donut recipe at BA, but it was Rick!

[@maru-yay]

Vinny's been learning a lot about cooking. Maybe next for April Fool's, there should be an episode where he's the one baking

[@TheLadyGeekOG]

I made these yesterday. They are pretty fantastic. Thank you for tackling these and sharing it with us.

[@HeraldHealer]

I love baking and cooking with apple butter. It adds so much in the way of flavor to things.

[@rumbleinthekitchen_Amy]

Thanks for the tip about another use for the dough whisk! I got one recently and love it but more ways to use stuff is always welcome.

[@ednajue2538]

Love the bloopers❤

[@Paylala]

The sheep part when she finished patting out the dough made me spit my tea. God that was so cuuuute! Is Matt editing these?

[@bstucki6487]

I love the stern look of Claire's"Too Hot" oil. Fantastic editing!

[@mitzibud6908]

Another awesome video!! Thank you!!

[@harim9980]

Yummy donuts, thank you for sharing Claire! 🙏 lovely cabin btw!

[@OutsideInterference]

Watching these videos is like getting a really nice hug for 20 minutes

[@DeKees1985]

The added graphics are just 🤌🏻 *chefs kiss*

[@jordanvaldez3470]

the aesthetics 💜 great job dessert person team!

[@jasminerose1383]

spud at the end just made everything better ✨

[@erikapalominodiaz]

dessert person is the highlight of my week

[@melissacastle5172]

Love the reality shots that are soooo relatable, lol!

[@gmalizzy]

My two grandkids and I made these today for our Christmas advent calendar activity. We watched the video first so everyone would be on the same page. It was a great activity and they looked just like Claire’s-inside and out!

[@ZheeYoYo]

I love how claire is so amazing at baking yet also showcases mistakes. Makes me feel better when i mess up

[@lilpackerfreak]

I love this rustic kitchen setup! It just goes to show that great food doesnt have to come out of a fancy kitchen.

[@lgaines4086]

I love that imperfect kitchen , it's wonderful.

[@delraybrooks8484]

I love you! ❤ my new favorite channel! Retired chef here.

[@isssaaax]

“Claire didn’t say much here so I added a fun beat. - Editor” 😂 the editor deserves a raise

[@claudia.e]

The editing in these videos is just... 😍

[@MiguelMartinez-ui8nl]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="630">10:30</a> the music with 16ths following the tapping on the dough, fantastic

[@karlistander]

I made these and they were amazing, thank you Claire and team! I halved the recipe because it was just for two people. I also had to use more flour just on the parchment paper as my dough stuck to it so much that it wasn't coming off. They came out so delicious-perfectly crisp on the outside, moist but not gummy on the inside (oil temp is critical)! 10/10 would make again.

[@annes.3202]

ooh, donuts!!! and also a weekly dose of awesome claire💌💌

[@nick_as_tolliver]

Growing up in the Hudson Valley this made me super nostalgic. Great video!

[@aerialaj7457]

I just made these and they’re SO GOOD! I’ve never fried anything before but they came out great!

[@AussieAngeS]

Oh my goodness I love donuts! These look magnificent Claire, thank you as always for your wonderful recipes. I’ve never tried apple cider donuts before.

[@crazybird91]

I love apple cider doughnuts, they're part of a special memory food for me so I watched through the video and wrote everything down (I didn't see this recipe in either of your cook books). Thank you so much for sharing!! These have become difficult to find.

[@livebearerdad]

claire looks happy and healthy! we’re happy for her to be back in the cabin! ☺️

[@jamjames1971]

Thank You so much for sharing everything you do hun from a guy is St.Louis. I love your content

[@missmarthafawker]

I love your honesty

[@langerguitarboy]

Words cannot describe how much I absolutely adore the cottage episodes

[@betterworkitout]

LOL!!! I just love the editing in this one!!!

[@Enchantedbiu11]

I really loved this vid! Definitely going to try and make these soon 🥰

[@lydiamclaughlin7100]

Wow this looks super delicious! Another recipe of yours to try, love and blessings from Ontario Canada ♥️🙏🇨🇦

[@johnsongilson0961]

Nice comment how is Canada Lydia?

[@EatCarbs]

I love donuts! I think they're underrated. Thanks for the video

[@Glacier_Nester]

Ooo, this is really good timing, I made apple butter with my mom a few months back, and I've been looking for a use for at least a few of those jars!

[@meggiewolfe7449]

I agree that apple cider donuts usually lack the apple flavor! Can't wait to give these a go. Always love watching your videos! Go team Dessert Person

[@Saknika]

Love apple cider doughnuts, officially need to make these now.

[@nicholasharvey7039]

This is my favorite channel now. I’ve watched four videos since yesterday evening

[@unironicpanda]

I always love the editing but this video is so funny! The too hot or too cold graphic was so cute and when Claire was eating the donut hole and it was all her saying "I dont like donuts" beside her. 😂

[@padmavathisarvepalli4947]

the editing in this vid was ON point. the hot/cold graphic was 10000% my fave part haha

[@milaszczecina5553]

Vinny is so good at capturing the quirky moments xxx lollllllll the music everytime the mixer looks like it's going to misbehave

[@AndreaGonzalez-qf1cw]

I love episodes in the cabin❤️ I wished I lived somewhere like that!!

[@henrylowe9284]

the cabin is so cute!

[@sethlopez7402]

i wanna see the crew’s reaction when they eat the food, they seem so sweet 😊

[@joshuasmith3640]

Love your videos, your the best !

[@fcsolis]

OK. Set aside a whole weekend for this one. Thanks!