On a whim I took the girls apple picking Monday after school. It was a little overcast and cloudy but a fine afternoon. Besides, I needed apples. The relentlessly begging coworkers wanted apple pie and I was overdue, apparently, for bringing in baked goods. So, off we went to Russell's for apple picking. Each girl got their own bag and filled them to the brim with Gala, Cortland and I think one Empire. Once we were satisfied we got the best picks, we wandered off to the barn for Apple Cider Donuts.
On a busy day, this place just emanates the smell of hot fried greasy goodness of warm Apple Cider Donuts. You smell it through the car windows as you drive down the driveway. The lines on a Saturday just to get donuts have their own weaving queue inside. As you stand there awaiting your hot squishy prize you can watch them make apple cider from a viewing area above. The anticipation as you creep closer and closer is too much to stand and you think you'll go crazy until suddenly there you are. In front of you, is an old fashioned white cabinet with silver knobs and glass window. Inside are trays lined with perfectly stacked Apple Cider Donuts just ripe for the taking. Removing a donut without squishing it takes a delicate hand as you place not just one, but no less than 6 in your bag. Wait, stop! Don't close it! The delicacy of the Apple Cider Donut, specially a fresh one requires that it be aired until cool. Not that they typically last that long anyhow, they are much better fresh and hot. But few people do desire to take them home. It's science. Many a disappointed customer has sealed their bag on a hot donut only to find it a deflated pile of grease. So leave your bag open and check out quickly.
So, of course, on a Monday there was no line. The girls and I sauntered right up the white cabinet, no wait necessary and helped ourselves to a bag of 6. Jumping up and down, the girls followed me to the car where the proceeded to munch on apples and their very own Apple Cider Donut for the ride home. Not wasting any time, I too dipped into the bag of warmth and munched a Donut for the ride home. Knowing I had 2 in there for husband, my personal second donut had better things waiting for it upon arrival at home.
Dinner went as scheduled, cleanup was handled, kids off to bed and there sat my Apple Cider Donut in its bag, calling my name. But, a donut of this stature, at this point, needed something more. So out came the ice cream and caramel drizzle sauce. It's a little known fact that Apple Cider Donuts can be brought back to their warm, squishy, greasy goodness with just a 10-15 second zap in the Microwave. And that's exactly what I did. Warmed up my Apple Cider Donut, plopped a heaping scoop of Vanilla Bean (Turkey Hill Sugar Free) ice cream on the top and drizzled it in caramel sauce. Yes. Now this Apple Cider Donut was being given the respect it deserved. Grab a fork, a glass of milk and savor each bite.
Oh yeah, and here's the result of all those apples. Coworkers should be sufficiently satisfied today for breakfast. I'm not posting the recipe for the pies, that, is a family secret.
