USA TODAY 10Best
Meadow Ledge Farm makes the best cider donuts in New Hampshire
Best Cider Donuts in New Hampshire (2018)
Apple picking is a fall family tradition in New Hampshire, where more than 24.5 million pounds of the fruit are produced each year. Picking season is also known for another sweet treat, apple cider donuts. Farm stands and bakeries across the state fry them up fresh. Eat them plain, glazed or cinnamon sugared, and for the ultimate autumn snack, dip them in a cup of the same fresh pressed cider used to give them their distinct apple flavor.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Cider Donuts in New Hampshire are as follows:
- Cardigan Mountain Orchard - Bristol
- Gould Hill Farm - Contoocook
- Chichester Country Store - Chichester
- Applecrest Farm Orchards - Hampton Falls
- Stonehouse Baking Co. - Barrington
- DeMeritt Hill Farm - Lee
- McKenzie's Farm - Milton
- Cider Bellies Doughnuts - Meredith
- Emery Farm - Durham
- Meadow Ledge Farm - Loudon
Photo courtesy of Cardigan Mountain Orchard
No. 10:
The Country Cafe at Cardigan Mountain Orchard serves breakfast, lunch and fresh fried cider donuts during the summer season.
Photo courtesy of Gould Hill Farm / Facebook
No. 9:
Available only on fall weekends, the cider donuts from Gould Hill Farm are worth the wait. Fresh apple cider gives them their signature flavor, and they’re always served warm.
Photo courtesy of Chichester Country Store
No. 8:
At Chichester Country Store, visitors will find apple cider donuts throughout the year, made fresh daily. They come in six varieties: plain, sugared, cinnamon sugared, glazed, chocolate frosted or New Hampshire maple frosted.
Photo courtesy of Applecrest Farm Orchards
No. 7:
The secret family recipe for Applecrest Farm Orchards’ cider donuts has been in the family for four generations. The farm uses their own hand-pressed cider in the old-fashioned donuts, lending them an apple flavor that’s earned a cult following across the state.
Photo courtesy of Stonehouse Baking Co.
No. 6:
Available from August to October and February to April, cider donuts at Stonehouse Baking Co. come plain, glazed or cinnamon sugared. On occasion, lucky visitors might even snag an apple cider maple frosted donut with bacon.
Photo courtesy of DeMeritt Hill Farm
No. 5:
At DeMeritt Hill Farm, apple cider donuts come in several varieties, including blueberry, chocolate, classic apple cider and pumpkin. On a cool fall afternoon, nothing beats a fresh donut dunked in a cup of hot cider.
Photo courtesy of McKenzie's Farm
No. 4:
Situated atop Plummer’s Ridge in Milton, McKenzie’s Farm attracts visitors with its plentiful “U-pick” opportunities, as well as the chance to sample cider donuts made fresh daily throughout the growing season.
Photo courtesy of Cider Bellies Doughnuts
No. 3:
Homemade cider donuts from Cider Bellies Doughnuts are always warm and fresh, because they’re made in small batches throughout the day. Guests can watch the donuts being made, then choose a flavored drizzle to complement the apple flavor—cinnamon sugar, New Hampshire maple, lemon, Irish cream, strawberry, caramel, chocolate or pineapple.
No. 2:
Emery Farm, the oldest family farm in the United States, has been in the family since 1660. Today, visitors come for the chance to pick their own fruit or stop for an award-winning cider donut at the farm café.
Photo courtesy of Meadow Ledge Farm / Facebook
No. 1:
The folks at Meadow Ledge Farm make fresh hot cider donuts each weekend using their own cider made right at the orchard. Customers often stand in line for up to 45 minutes for the donuts, best enjoyed with a cup of hot mulled cider.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Taylor Hicks (State Plate), Susan Laughlin and Colleen Westcott and Jonathan Carrigan (Portsmouth Eats Restaurant Tasting Tours) were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of the state food scene.
Congratulations to all these winning farms, stores and restaurants!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Colleen Westcott and Jonathan Carrigan
Colleen Westcott and Jonathan Carrigan started Read More
Colleen Westcott and Jonathan Carrigan started Portsmouth Eats Restaurant Tasting Tours in 2011. Colleen studied Gastronomy at Le Cordon Blue. Jonathan Carrigan is a student at UNH graduating next year with a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Eco Gastronomy.
Colleen Westcott and Jonathan Carrigan
Colleen Westcott and Jonathan Carrigan started Portsmouth Eats Restaurant Tasting Tours in 2011. Colleen studied Gastronomy at Le Cordon Blue. Jonathan Carrigan is a student at UNH graduating next year with a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Eco Gastronomy.
Susan Laughlin
Susan Laughlin has been the food editor for New... Read More
Susan Laughlin has been the food editor for New Hampshire Magazine for more than 15 years. She has traveled the state with fork and camera in hand, looking for the best breakfasts, burgers, poutine and general dining excellence. Feature stories have include the hottest new restaurants, young new farmers, where to find the best al fresco dining and profiles of entrepreneurial brewers and distillers. She has also been tapped by other publishers including, Food Network Magazine, Phaidon and Yankee Magazine to suggest unique where-to-eat dining options.
Susan Laughlin
Susan Laughlin has been the food editor for New Hampshire Magazine for more than 15 years. She has traveled the state with fork and camera in hand, looking for the best breakfasts, burgers, poutine and general dining excellence. Feature stories have include the hottest new restaurants, young new farmers, where to find the best al fresco dining and profiles of entrepreneurial brewers and distillers. She has also been tapped by other publishers including, Food Network Magazine, Phaidon and Yankee Magazine to suggest unique where-to-eat dining options.
Taylor Hicks
Having received 64 million votes, Taylor Hicks is... Read More
Having received 64 million votes, Taylor Hicks is one of the most beloved American Idol winners of all time. More than 200 million viewers worldwide tuned in to see him crowned as the season five winner. Hicks’s career has included stints on Broadway, a national tour with a hit musical, as well as headlining Paris, Las Vegas and other Caesars Entertainment properties all over the United States. He is currently the host of the award-winning culinary travel series State Plate, which can be seen on the INSP television network, and his new album will be out this fall.
Taylor Hicks
Having received 64 million votes, Taylor Hicks is one of the most beloved American Idol winners of all time. More than 200 million viewers worldwide tuned in to see him crowned as the season five winner. Hicks’s career has included stints on Broadway, a national tour with a hit musical, as well as headlining Paris, Las Vegas and other Caesars Entertainment properties all over the United States. He is currently the host of the award-winning culinary travel series State Plate, which can be seen on the INSP television network, and his new album will be out this fall.
