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Home » Desserts » Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress Jessica Randhawa
September 7, 2023
4.85 from 91 votes


Last Updated September 7, 2023 | 29 Comments

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14.0K shares
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Apple Donuts, a year-round favorite, is especially popular as the temperatures cool and summer gives way to fall. With a soft, pillowy inside and a sweet, crunchy outside, these delicious Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts are made with applesauce and pair perfectly with your morning cup of coffee or fresh out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Stack of four Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts on a small cutting board.

Homemade Apple Donuts

Simple, homemade, delicious apple donuts. To be honest with you guys, which I am, I can think of few things better. It’s funny; donuts are one of those delicious treats that are so easily forgotten, at least for me. This makes no sense since donuts, especially these baked apple donuts, are definitely not forgettable. Take one bite of these soft, fluffy, apply pillows, and you’ll be hooked. With nothing artificial, they’re nothing like store-bought donuts.

The hardest part will be eating just one!

Ingredients in these Apple Donuts

  • Flour – We’re using regular all-purpose flour. For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour for a gluten-free all-purpose flour.
  • Baking Powder and Baking Soda
  • Ground Cinnamon and nutmeg– This recipe doesn’t require more than a little ground cinnamon and nutmeg to have yummy fall flavors. Of course, feel free to swap the ground cinnamon for apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice if preferred.
  • Butter – Butter helps make these donuts moist and cake-like. The butter also adds a delicious buttery flavor.
  • Eggs – Eggs keep the donuts together, preventing them from crumbling apart.
  • Granulated Sugar – For sweetness!
  • Buttermilk – Buttermilk helps keep baked goods moist and flavorful.
  • Applesauce and Grated Apple – For yummy apple flavor!
Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts on a platter surrounded by whole cinnamon sticks and a whole apple cut in half.

Tools to Make Apple Donuts

Now, there are a few things that are pretty important when making these delicious, fantastic, fall-flavored donuts.

  1. Donut Baking Pan– This is the donut pan that I use, and it works great. You can also try using a silicone donut baking pan for easier removal.
  2. Cheese grater – If it works for cheese, it will work for the apples.
  3. Large zip-lock bag – The batter is quite thick and sticky, so it’s much easier to get the apple batter into the donut mold by squeezing it through a small slit in a zip-lock bag.
Close up image of an apple donut with crunchy cinnamon sugar outside

How to Make Apple Donuts

  1. Preheat oven, grease donut pan, and grate apple. Set everything aside.
  2. Prepare the batter.
  3. Transfer the batter for the apple donuts to a large ziplock bag and seal, removing all air. Snip off a small corner of the bag.
  4. Gently squeeze batter into the cavities of the donut hole pan.
  5. Bake for 12-14 minutes.
  6. As the donuts bake, melt the butter in one bowl and mix together the cinnamon and the sugar in another.
  7. Remove the donuts from the pan, brush with melted butter, and coat with the cinnamon sugar mixture.

One important thing to note about these donuts (and all donuts) is that they taste best when eaten just after baking. Ideally, when they’re still warm, but definitely within the first 12-24 hours.

Overhead close-up of baked apple donut

Frequently Asked Questions

Are baked apple donuts healthy?

No, not necessarily. However, they are baked rather than fried, so they are healthier than regular fried donuts.

Can I make baked apple donuts into muffins?

Absolutely! Instead of using a donut pan, lightly grease a mini muffin pan and bake in a preheated 400℉ oven for 8-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. You can also bake them in a regular muffin pan. Start at 400℉ for 8 minutes, then 350℉ for another 6-8 minutes.

How to store leftover apple donuts?

Donuts taste best when eaten just after baking. Ideally, when they’re still warm, but definitely within the first 12-24 hours. If you don’t expect to finish all 18 donuts on the same day, my advice is to keep the batter stored in the refrigerator and bake the remaining donuts the next day. If you do bake them all in one go, store any leftovers in a sealed, airtight container for maximum freshness!

More Apple Recipes,

  • Homemade Applesauce Recipe
  • Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
  • Fried Apples Recipe (How to Make Fried Apples)
  • Apple Balsamic Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
  • Marinated Salmon Apple Salad
  • Herbed Apple and Pumpernickel Stuffing

If you try making this Apple Cinnamon Baked Apple Donuts Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.

Two apple doughnuts on a white plate, one with a bite taken out of it.
A close up of baked apple doughnuts

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts

4.85 from 91 votes
AuthorAuthor: Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress Jessica Randhawa
Apple Donuts, a year-round favorite, is especially popular as the temperatures cool and summer gives way to fall. With a soft, pillowy inside and a sweet, crunchy outside, these delicious Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts are made with applesauce and pair perfectly with your morning cup of coffee or fresh out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 14 minutes mins
Total Time 29 minutes mins
Course Bread, Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 18 donuts
Calories 251 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For the Apple Doughnuts

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoon butter - melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • .5 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 0.5 cups buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
  • 1.5 cups fresh apple - peeled, cored, and grated

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • 4 tablespoon salted butter - melted, plus more as needed
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1.5 tablespoon ground cinnamon
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Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and ground cinnamon. Set aside these dry ingredients.
  • In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together the butter, eggs, granulated sugar, buttermilk, nutmeg, and applesauce. Mix until just combined.
  • Stir in the grated apples, then stir in the dry ingredients from step 2, and transfer the batter to a large ziplock bag. Squeeze out all of the air and snip one corner, creating a small hole. Spray the donut hole pan with a light layer of non-stick cooking spray.
  • Squeeze batter into the cavities of the donut hole pan and transfer to the oven to bake for 12-14 minutes.
  • As the donuts are baking, combine the sugar with the ground cinnamon and melt approximately 4 tablespoons of butter in a small dish.
  • When the donuts have finished baking, remove them from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool for 5-10 minutes. Brush with the melted butter and coat in the cinnamon sugar topping. Enjoy!

Video

Jessica’s Notes

  • Store any leftover donuts in a zip-lock bag or container with a tight-fitting lid. Best when enjoyed within 24 hours.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 292mg | Potassium: 187mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 0.6mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 1.7mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Apple Cinnamon Donuts, baked apple donut recipe, Baked Apple Doughnuts, sugar donut recipe
Did You Make This Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @theforkedspoon or tag #theforkedspoon and please leave your star rating in the comment section below.

About Jessica

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress

Chef Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon. A world traveler, Jessica developed her passion for culinary arts while adventuring. With her recipes making their way onto renowned platforms such as Women's Health, Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and Fox News, she's marked her presence in the culinary world. Jessica's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.

14.0K shares
Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress

About Jessica Randhawa

Chef Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon. A world traveler, Jessica developed her passion for culinary arts while adventuring. With her recipes making their way onto renowned platforms such as Women's Health, Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and Fox News, she's marked her presence in the culinary world. Jessica's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.

Comments

  1. Samantha Moore says

    September 5, 2021 at 2:55 pm

    Could these be made with a non-dairy milk?

    Reply
    • Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress Jessica Randhawa says

      September 5, 2021 at 3:13 pm

      While I have not tried making these baked apple donuts with non-dairy milk, I don’t see why not.

      Since the recipe as written calls for buttermilk, you will need to stir in half a tablespoon to one tablespoon of lemon juice into the milk alternative, and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until thickened/curled 🙂

      Reply
  2. Teena Hanlon says

    August 27, 2021 at 10:37 am

    5 stars
    These are amazing. So moist and very delicious. I used Gravenstein apples from our own tree plus homemade applesauce I had made for dinner the night before – also made from our Gravensteins. I can’t say enough how delicious they were – hot out of the oven, as well as after they cooled off. Thank you for this recipe. I will make these again and again.

    Reply
    • Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress Jessica Randhawa says

      August 27, 2021 at 10:45 am

      Thanks, Teena, I agree that fresh apples do turn out moist and delicious donuts in this recipe 🙂

      Reply
  3. Mary says

    August 21, 2021 at 11:14 am

    5 stars
    These are delicious 😋. I used 1 medium Braeburn apple – I didn’t compress it down in my measuring cup tho. Also this is a very thick batter think I’ll use my stand mixer next time. I ended up with 12 doughnuts and 24 mini muffins I call them doughnut holes.
    Will make them again. Thx!

    Reply
    • Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in white dress Jessica Randhawa says

      August 21, 2021 at 11:20 am

      Thanks for the delicious feedback Mary 🙂

      Reply
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Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

I’m Jessica, the chef behind The Forked Spoon, where I share my delicious recipes along with my kitchen tips and expert advice to transform your everyday cooking into a gratifying culinary experience. Learn more about me→

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