With the plethora of apples in our house, we’ve had some baking fun. One of my husband’s favorite things this time of year is apple cider. And donuts. The problem in our home is that one of us likes raised donuts (him) and the other likes cake donuts (that would be me).

Unfortunately when we went apple picking this year, we chose a different orchard and (horror of horrors) they didn’t have their apple cider donuts during the week. Some in our house consider that a near-tragedy.

(Hint: I wasn’t one of them).

We did manage to grab a gallon of cider (along with several bushels of apples) and I promised to figure out a way to make donuts for everyone. However, I’ll admit I had an ulterior motive. I wanted something a little healthier (as much as a donut can be), but still enough to appease everyone else.

A friend mentioned these donut pans (aff link), so I ordered one from Amazon – and so the donut making adventure began! This recipe was adapted from one I found at Sally’s Baking Addiction. We’ve also tried it using gluten-free flour (we love the Namaste blend) and had great results! While I don’t normally share recipes – well, this is just one that we loved and it needed to be shared!

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

(makes approximately 12 donuts)

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. apple pie spice
• 1  tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup apple cider
• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with 2 tsp. lemon juice – let stand 10 minutes)

TOPPING

• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp. apple pie spice
• 6 Tbsp. butter, melted

Directions:

1)  In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, apple pie spice, and cinnamon.

2) Mix together coconut oil and egg until fluffy. Blend in sugars and mix well. Add buttermilk, vanilla, and apple cider.

3) Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just blended.

4) Fill donut pan wells about 3/4 full. (Putting the batter in a ziploc bag, cutting the corner off, and squeezing it into the pan works well too). Otherwise use a spoon to fill.

5) Bake at 350 degrees up to 8-10 minutes, or until a toothpick is clean (10 minutes for us). Note: if you use a gluten-free flour, you may need to bake longer (we did).

6) Prepare the topping while the donuts are baking. Melt the butter in a bowl, and mix cinnamon and sugar in a separate bowl.

7) Dip baked donuts in butter (both sides) and then into cinnamon & sugar mixture.

8) Enjoy while warm (this is when they are best!).

A few years ago we met a fun family while camping. They were homeschoolers and our kids just ‘clicked’ together. One of their daughters is even named McKenna – it’s obvious we were meant to be friends!

The mother and I often chat together about natural remedies to use with our families and she shared a homemade cough syrup recipe with me that our family has used, loved, and found so helpful. Our kids can be picky on how things taste, but this is one syrup that they definitely don’t mind taking.

Since coughs come along any time of year, perhaps this recipe will be helpful to you too!

Homemade Cough Syrup Recipe

  

Ingredients

• 1 cup honey (raw and local is great if you can get it!)
• 1/3 cup coconut oil (or a mild oil – see notes on coconut oil below)
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 tsp. powdered cloves
• 4 ginger capsules, opened and emptied
• 8 slippery elm capsules, opened and emptied
• 10-15 drops of Thieves Vitality oil

Directions for making

1. Open capsules and combine all ingredients in a small pan.
2. Heat on the stove top and bring to a quick boil, stirring frequently.
3. Cool and store in a glass jar, especially if adding essential oils.
4. Lightly warm syrup before serving and dispense as needed.

Make approximately 1 pint of homemade cough syrup. We store ours in a pint-sized mason jar and use the ReCap lids to pour the syrup easily.

Coconut oil gives the syrup a nice flavor, but when the weather is cooler, part of the syrup will solidify. We warm it under hot water and stir to mix or you can pop it in the microwave if you prefer to soften.

A typical ‘serving’ is 1 to 2 teaspoons, depending on the child. This homemade cough syrup is always well-received.

Hope this remedy is as helpful to your family as it has been to ours! Do you have a favorite natural remedy to share?

This information on this website is based upon my research and personal use. Additionally, remember that I am not a doctor and any health statements must be verified by your doctor. Any statements made are my own opinion and from our family’s personal experience. Your experiences may differ.