By: Jordan Budney By: Jordan Budney | October 18, 2024 | Guide, Feature, Food & Drink, Guides,
New York City may be notoriously known as “the big apple,” but the Hamptons is the underdog apple area, especially when it comes to apple-filled farms and pillowy plump apple delicacies. Whether you crave a crisp red delicious or a tart granny smith, apples are a seasonal favorite when it comes to baking, and apple cider donuts are always a crowd favorite. A favorite fall treat for good reason; nothing gets us feeling festive and cozy quite like these apple cider donuts in or near the Hamptons.
See also: The 6 Best Pumpkin Patches In The Hamptons
7A Main St. / 631.808.3370 / Website
Although their small batch process takes up to two days, it will only take you two seconds to decide that you need a donut to accompany your hot latte. Open year-round since 2016, Grindstone Coffee & Donuts prioritizes fresh brioche and cake donuts daily, using the finest and locally sourced ingredients to create glazes and fillings that are all made in-house. The apple cider donut consists of a spice-caked dough base with cinnamon and sugar and topped with a tart apple drizzle. With plenty of other donut varieties, such as lemon poppyseed, maple sea salt, or the iconic classic glazed with a hint of citrus, nothing will ever top the delicious duo of warm donuts and coffee to heal the soul.
1346 Montauk Highway / 631.537.2565 / Website
Since 1640, the Halsey family began farming in the Water Mill and Bridgehampton area known as Mexcox. Now, the owners and founders of The Milk Pail Fresh Market & U-Pick, John and Evelyn Halsey, along with their daughters Amy and Jennifer, are the 11th and 12th generation of Halseys carrying their family tradition and hope they can become a part of everyone’s family tradition as well. Besides being an outlet for all fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers and other baked goods, their apple cider donuts come in plain or topped with cinnamon sugar and are a seasonal sweet treat that brings a smile to every face. Even though they are popularly known for their apples, apple pies and apple cider, they have grown to be a year-round gourmet source for everything good.
1960 Main Road, Laurel / 631.298.1140 / Website
As soon as you step foot into the quaint farmers market, be prepared to be wafted away by the aroma of buttery baked goods and treats. This old country roadside market sells fresh homemade pies, jams, local produce and award-winning soups and chowder that are perfect for those extra chilly evenings. Along with their mouthwatering apple cider donuts, Hallock’s Cider Mill, Wayne and Maryanne Hallock are preparing all of the fall favorites for every visitor or regular where the taste of the homemade love and care shine through. Although it is not quite Halloween, be sure to check out their Facebook and place a Thanksgiving pie order in flavors like apple crumb, chocolate cream, or their highly recommended key lime pie.
715 Sound Ave., Mattituck / 631.482.7641 / Website
Starting as a modest gazebo, the farmstand has transformed into a local favorite and has become one of North Folk’s most popular farm destinations by committing to offering delicious food choices and some of the best farm-fresh produce. For over three decades, their apple cider donuts have been a star item on their menu, along with their gourmet super sweet corn, tomato mozzarella paninis and the creamiest ice cream made from their own produce. If you want to see where the apples are grown that make the apple cider donuts to die for, check out the Harbes Orchard featuring 27 different varieties of apples and an assortment of other fall activities and treats. Plus, they are offering pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and fall hayrides all season long.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Hank's Pumpkintown & Hank’s Farmstand (@hankspumpkintown)
240 Montauk Highway, Water Mill / 631.726.4667 / Website
Nothing screams autumn more than visiting a place with Pumpkintown in its’ own name. After the Kraszewskis were forced to supplement their own acreage following declining potato prices, they watched their business blossom with the additions of corn, strawberries, apples and, of course, pumpkins. Offering familiar fall family activities such as three different interactive corn mazes, wagon rides, apple picking, tractor train rides and more, The Market is where the the freshly made apple cider donuts and pies thrive. Besides donuts, they sell their delicious apple cider and hard apple cider available in cans made with all New York apples to take home for everyone. If you are looking for an additional apple treat to take home, indulge in their hand-dipped candy and caramel apples this season as Hank himself debuts a new old-fashioned caramel made from scratch.
729 Rt. 25, Aquebogue / 631.722.5770 / Website
Whether visitors choose to snack on one or order their iconic apple cider donuts in bulk online, baked goods and hard cider are the name of the game at this business. They started as a small family-run orchard offering fresh fruit and baked goods at their farm stand called “The Apple Shed”, but as the business grew, Woodside Orchards has transformed into a well-known spot that is still run by the same, and even bigger, family. In addition to their warm and cozy housemade apple cider donuts, the family also prepares huge apple pies and traditional apple cider. Plus, we have all heard of beer and wine tasting rooms, but for the fall season in Aquebogue, Woodside Orchards offers a hard cider tasting room featuring brews like traditional dry, raspberry cider, or the cinnamon apple that would go perfectly with a donut.
Let’s not glaze over the debate of the fall flavor being pumpkin spice or apple cider. Stop by any of these locations in and near the Hamptons and see why apple cider is truly the freshest fall flavor and tastes even better packed in fluffy, tender donuts. How ‘bout them apples?
Photography by: Getty Images / Amy Brothers