The Cider Doughnut Rules

I am not easily persuaded by donuts, but a recent trip to Honey-Pot Hill had me considering seconds.  Last weekend I went with my church to a third generation apple orchard in Stow, MA.  I was determined to come home with enough for a crisp.  After a couple hours of climbing trees, I walked away with a twenty-pound bag of Empires, Spartans, and Spencers.  Mission accomplished.  I also picked up the apple fact that this fruit will age the same in one day on the counter as seven days in the fridge.  Best to keep your apples cold! 

The surprise of the day was the cider doughnuts in their farm store, just past the three little pigs and goats that could actually operate a pulley feed system.  Honey-Pot Hill has its own cidermill, and a small portion of the liquid results go into their cider donuts.  Similar to old-fashioned donuts, they’re cakey and golden with a crispy edge and a fine crumb; but the feature ingredient gives them a subtle tangy-sweet quality.  It's nothing outrageously different - just really, really, ridiculous good.  HPH serves them exactly the way I like:  perfectly plain, without a trace of sugary distraction smearing the surface.  A mug of steaming cider and about five apples later, I honestly could say that I’d had my fill of fall.  On an interesting side note, fried dough was established in the U.S. as an autumn tradition.  This time of year has long been known for the harvest, but also for the hog slaughter, which provided ample lard for frying.  Vegetable oil is often used today, but purists looking for the lightest, crispiest doughnut possible still swear by lard. 

Sadly, apple picking season is about over.  This orchard will definitely be an annual trip, though.  Along with $1 hayrides and twenty-five apple varieties, Honey-Pot Hill has a hedge maze that’s an exact replica of the famous Hampden Court Maze in England.  All the activities make it a popular place, but because it’s tucked back the rolling hills of a small town, it still feels like a treasure of a local farm.  -sy

Comments

[Jane Kim]

Hampton/Hampden Court...I'm going there the 1st weekend of December!! Mmm~ Hot cider and cider doughnuts!! SY, I'm so sad that I'm missing New England's apple-picking season, so please keep the photos coming! =) Hope you're well, my dear...ttyl! -Jane