Apple Cinnamon Doughnuts with Applesauce Glaze

I sometimes think that people get so excited about pumpkin recipes in the fall that they don't give enough credit to another amazing fall flavor - apple! I'm completely guilty of this, so this year I decided to make sure I gave enough attention to fall apple recipes too! 
My little sister Karoline helped me to make some apple cinnamon donuts, and they were delicious! In the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you that this recipe makes quite a mess, but it's worth it! 

Oh, I forgot to mention - this recipe makes a LOT of doughnuts. :)

Recipe adapted from here.
Ingredients: 5-6 cups flour, divided 1 tbsp baking powder 1 tbsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking soda 2 eggs 1 egg yolk 1 cup granulated sugar 1 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, divided 1/2 cup buttermilk 1/4 cup melted butter Vegetable or canola oil for frying 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1/4 cup water
Directions: 1. Combine 4 cups flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.  2. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and egg yolk. Add granulated sugar, 1 cup applesauce, buttermilk, and melted butter to the whisked eggs. Mix well.  3. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture. Mix until combined (don't be afraid to use your hands!). Add additional flour 1/3 cup at a time until the dough stops sticking to everything (you want it to be a bit sticky still, but not so sticky that it won't detach from the sides of the bowl). I use about 5 cups of flour total (the 4 original ones, plus an extra cup at this stage).  4. Cover dough and chill for 2 hours or more.  5. On a heavily floured surface, roll out dough so it's about 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into doughnuts and holes using a doughnut cutter or cookie cutters. 6. Pour about an inch of oil in the bottom of a large skillet or pan. Heat oil over medium heat until it reaches 365 degrees (or, do what I do and just test the oil temperature by sticking a donut hole in there and seeing how slow/fast it cooks).  7. Fry doughnuts and doughnut holes in the hot oil, flipping once, about 1-2 minutes per side. Place cooked doughnuts on paper towels.  8. To make applesauce glaze, combine powdered sugar, water, and 3/4 cup applesauce in a bowl and mix well. Dip warm donuts in the glaze before serving. 

(dry ingredients)

(wet ingredients)

(dough)

(roll it out...)

(cut it out...)

(fry 'em up!)

(applesauce glaze!)

(what. a. mess.)

(drain on paper towels)

(so many doughnuts!)

(after being dipped in the glaze)

Ta-da!

Enjoy!