Spiced Apple & Salted Caramel Doughnuts

My favourite spiced apple doughnuts have had an upgrade. I first made these a few years ago and when I went to make them again, I realised they needed a little tweaking. I love making doughnuts, baked ones are so incredibly easy to create. I haven't taken the plunge and made fried ones yet, but I may practice over Christmas. Apples are still everywhere at the moment and they go so well with mixed spice. Why not break the apple pie tradition and make something different? A true crowd pleaser, these are ready in under half an hour. Any reason to indulge in salted caramel and I am there. Hazelnuts are my choice of crunchy topping but you could use any nut you wish.

Serves: 6 doughnutsPrep time: 8 minsCook time: 18 mins

Ingredients

• 140g of plain flour
• 100g of sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 and a half tsp mixed spice
• Pinch of salt
• 3 tbsp of butter
• 1 & a half tsp of baking powder
• 125ml of milk
• 1 apple, grated

• For Salted Caramel topping:

• 60ml double cream
• 3tbsp butter
• 50g dark brown sugar
• 1tsp sea salt
• 100g hazelnuts, crushed

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 180c, gas mark 4 and grease your doughnut tin.
2. Add sugar, flour, spice, baling powder and grated apple to a bowl. Set aside.
3. Add milk, egg and butter to a pan and whisk until butter has melted. Pour into dry ingredients and mix to combine.
4. Spoon in mixture evenly into doughnut tin, until near the top of the moulds.
5. Bake for 12-13 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes, before transferring to a wire rack.
7. For caramel, add sugar, butter and cream to pan. Heat until boiling, swirling to combine. Lower heat and cook for a further five minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Remove into a heat proof jug, allowing to cool for a few minutes.
9. Dip in doughnuts one at a time, set on a wire rack and sprinkle with crushed hazelnuts.