Doughnuts to Tempt Eve

In that famous creation story, Eve was lured by a shiny red apple as much as by the snake. You would be, too, if you saw the piles of Macoun, Cortland, Golden Delicious, McIntosh and Mutsu apples at the Appleland Orchard farm stand. Actually, it’s the nectar of those apples, their own fresh-pressed cider, that has made juice addicts out of most who taste it. Recently Appleland took that addiction one step farther—into its cider doughnuts!

Mary Lou D’Andrea, who runs the farm stand and bakery with husband, Joe (the orchard has been in the D’Andrea family since the 1960s), won’t give away the recipe for her doughnuts, but Joe explains that he makes the cider with at least two varieties of apples, to balance the tartness and sweetness. The doughnuts have a tastes-like-Grandma-used-to-make flavor and texture, with cinnamon-sugar on top. Though it’s hard to discern a cider taste, the cider definitely gives these doughnuts a special lightness. Appleland grows more than a dozen kinds of apples, plus peaches. They also have caramel and chocolate-covered apples, home-baked pies and many other pastries and treats. Two newer products are homemade apple cider vinegar and home-brewed apple wine.

135 Smith Ave. (Route 116), Greeenville. 401.949.3690; ApplelandOrchardRI.com