History of apple cider doughnuts

By Isha Vishwanath, 2027

Published 11/18/2024

As soon as the fall season rolls around, the first treat many people want to eat are delicious apple cider doughnuts. These sweet fried cake doughnuts have become very well known especially in the US and have become a staple at orchards and fairs. Although they might seem like simple regular doughnuts, they actually have a deep history!

During early colonial days, colonists frequently killed animals for their flesh but did not want to waste the rest of it. So animal fat would be stored for food preservation and frying. Similarly, after a large fall harvest, many apples were often left over. As a solution, they would use these apples and mix them with the dough that had been fried from the animal fat. The product is unlike the smooth, coated apple cider doughnuts we know today and is likely the most unprocessed version of the desert.

In 1916, Adolf Levitt was an immigrant looking to start a business. After being inspired by fried dough snacks that were favored by many soldiers, he created a doughnut machine to please the public. His successful creation led to the creation of the Doughnut Corporation of America, establishing a franchise of doughnut shops known as Downyflake Shops as well as selling doughnut making equipment. By the 1950s, the business was looking for a successful marketing campaign and came up with the idea to promote a new fall treat that would combine what people enjoyed about fall in the form of sweet dough. They featured a new product, a spicy, apple themed doughnut that perfectly fit the fall theme, and it was published in the New York Times.

Since then, apple cider doughnuts have become a fundamental part of the fall season. They have become a popular treat throughout the Midwest and East Coast, appearing at doughnut shops, orchards, and family homes. They even made their way into other parts of the nation and big chains like Dunkin Donuts. It’s clear these sweets have made a big impact and the fall season wouldn’t be complete without them!