Fresh apple cider donuts: some must-go spots in Vermont this fall
There's no remedy for Vermont's fall chill quite like the warm sweetness of a freshly made apple cider donut — especially when the cider is made from local Vermont apples.
Vermont farmers grow more than 150 varieties of apples, and press about 20 percent of all their apples into cider, according to the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association.
When apple cider is added to donut dough, the acidity complements the cooking oils, yielding a tender crumb, according to Vermont-born baker Julie Richardson.
Here are some of the must-go spots in Chittenden County and beyond for fresh, farm-to-cider donuts.
Shelburne Orchards
This 60 acre family-owned apple orchard distills its own cider for handmade apple cider donuts. The donuts are fried to crispy perfection and coated in sweet powdered sugar.
Shelburne Orchards, 116 Orchard Road, Shelburne. (802) 985-2753, www.shelburneorchards.com
The Cupboard Delicatessen & Bakery
For handmade apple cider donuts with a village deli vibe, look no further than this family owned business in Jeffersonville, at the junction of Smugglers Notch.
The Cupboard Delicatessen & Bakery, 4837 Vermont 15, Jeffersonville. (802) 644-2069, https://thecupboarddeli.com/
Cold Hollow Cider Mill
Boldly labelled "legendary," the apple cider donuts at Cold Hollow Cider are made cake style with old fashioned donut machines. Located on Vermont 100 between Stowe and Ben & Jerry's, Cold Hollow is a prime destination for a fall road trip in Vermont.
Cold Hollow Cider Mill, 3600 Waterbury-Stowe Road (Vermont 100), Waterbury Center. (800) 327-7537, www.coldhollow.com
Hackett's Orchard
This Champlain island destination crafts fresh donuts every day in their bakery. Donuts come in both plain and cinnamon/sugar varieties.
Hackett’s Orchard, 86 South St., South Hero. (802) 372-4848, www.hackettsorchard.com
Happy Valley Orchard
One of the origin places of Citizen Cider, Happy Valley Orchard crafts fresh cider donuts every day on its 17 acre orchard just east of downtown Middlebury. In addition to growing tried-and-true apples like McIntosh, Cortland, and Honeycrisp, Happy Valley grows lesser-known varieties, including Vermont Gold, Winesap, and Newtown Pippin.
Happy Valley Orchard, 217 Quarry Road, Middlebury. 802-388-2411, https://happyvalleyorchard.com/
Sunrise Orchards
This Cornwall farm grows its own apples, distills the apples into cider, and then turns that cider into fresh apple cider donuts. Even if you haven't been to Cornwall yet, you might have already had Shacksbury Cider crafted with apples from Sunrise Orchards.
Sunrise Orchards, 1287 N. Bingham St., Cornwall. (802) 462-3500, https://sunriseorchards.com
Green Mountain Orchards
One of Vermont's largest apple orchards, Green Mountain presses its own cider and is "known far and wide for its sinfully delicious pies and cider donuts," according to its website.
Green Mountain Orchards, 130 West Hill Road, Putney. (802) 387-5851, https://www.greenmountainorchards.com
Stine Orchard
Formerly known as Boyer’s Orchard, Stine Orchard serves up handmade cider donuts with a side of pick-your-own apples and a live concert series.
Stine Orchard, 1823 Monkton Road, Monkton. (802) 453-2676, https://stineorchard.com/
Contact April Fisher at amfisher@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AMFisherMedia
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Where to fresh apple cider donuts in Vermont this fall
