Warm Apple Cinnamon Baked Donuts

As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked goods to herald the arrival of autumn. These lightly spiced, wonderfully tender Baked Apple Donuts are the quintessential fall treat, perfectly crowned with a delightful crunch of cinnamon sugar. Forget the hassle of deep-frying; these cake donuts are effortlessly prepared in the oven, making them a healthier and simpler alternative for your seasonal cravings. Crafted with either unsweetened applesauce or apple butter, they offer a rich, authentic apple flavor, with the option to incorporate grated fresh apples for an extra burst of fruitiness and texture. What’s more, this recipe requires no eggs, making it easily adaptable for those seeking a delicious vegan-friendly indulgence. Get ready to embrace the cozy vibes of autumn with every single bite of these irresistible homemade donuts!

Infuse your home with the inviting scents of apple and cinnamon, a true hallmark of the fall season. These delectable treats are incredibly versatile and perfect for any occasion: a heartwarming breakfast, an elegant brunch centerpiece, a charming addition to fall party spreads, a satisfying snack, or simply when you’re yearning for that classic combination of cinnamon sugar and apple. They evoke the same comforting satisfaction as other beloved autumnal desserts, and if you enjoy these, you’ll surely love exploring more of our delightful donut creations like our Delectable Glazed Blueberry Donuts and our festive Baked Apple Cider Donuts. Prepare to fall in love with your new favorite autumn baking project!

Why You’ll Adore These Effortless Baked Apple Donuts

There’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes with creating bakery-quality treats right in your own kitchen, and these apple cake donuts deliver just that with incredible ease. Baking donuts at home is not only simpler than traditional deep-frying but also results in a lighter, less greasy indulgence that truly highlights the delicious flavors. This recipe makes whipping up a batch incredibly quick and mess-free, perfect for busy mornings or spontaneous baking sessions.

To achieve that iconic donut shape without the fryer, all you need is a reliable donut pan. These pans are widely available, reasonably priced, and a fantastic investment for any home baker. This particular recipe yields 12 standard-sized donuts, meaning you’ll need either a 12-cavity donut pan, or two 6-cavity pans, which are often sold in convenient sets. If you prefer mini donuts for smaller bites or serving a crowd, a mini donut pan with 24 cavities will allow you to bake a double batch of these adorable treats.

Investing in a donut pan opens up a world of baking possibilities beyond just this recipe. Once you have one, you can endlessly experiment with different flavors and toppings. Imagine creating delightful variations like Fun Chocolate Sprinkle Donuts, cozy Baked Pumpkin Cake Donuts, or even decadent Red Velvet Cake Donuts. Each batch promises a homemade treat that tastes infinitely better than anything store-bought, making every moment of sharing and enjoying them truly special.

Essential Ingredients for Your Apple Donuts

Crafting these sensational baked apple donuts requires a thoughtful selection of pantry staples and a few star ingredients that bring out their distinctive flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

For the Irresistible Baked Apple Donuts

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of our cakey donuts. Ensure it’s spooned and leveled for accurate measurement.
• Granulated sugar: Provides a subtle sweetness that balances the apple and spice flavors.
• Brown sugar: Adds a deeper, molasses-rich sweetness and keeps the donuts wonderfully moist.
• Baking powder: Our primary leavening agent, ensuring a light and fluffy texture.
• Baking soda: Works with the acidic applesauce or apple butter to give the donuts a perfect rise.
• Ground cinnamon: The quintessential fall spice, infusing warmth throughout the donut batter.
• Ground nutmeg: Offers a complementary depth to the cinnamon, enhancing the overall spice profile. You can also opt to replace both cinnamon and nutmeg with an equal amount of homemade or store-bought apple pie spice for convenience (see notes below for a homemade recipe).
• Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
• Unsweetened applesauce or apple butter: These are key for both moisture and intense apple flavor. Using unsweetened varieties gives you more control over the sugar content, but sweetened options can work if you adjust the granulated sugar slightly.
• Oil of choice or melted butter: Any neutral-flavored oil like canola, olive, coconut, or vegetable oil works beautifully, as does melted and slightly cooled butter, adding richness to the texture.
• Milk of choice or buttermilk: Adds moisture and helps activate the leavening agents. Almond milk, regular dairy milk, oat milk, or buttermilk are all excellent choices.
• Pure vanilla extract: Elevates the overall flavor profile with its aromatic warmth.
• Optional: One small apple, grated or finely cubed: For an extra burst of fresh apple flavor and delightful texture within your donuts.

For the Golden Cinnamon-Sugar Topping

• Unsalted butter: Melted and slightly cooled, this helps the cinnamon-sugar adhere perfectly to the donuts.
• Granulated sugar: Forms the crunchy, sweet base of our classic topping.
• Ground cinnamon: Combines with the sugar to create that irresistible, fragrant coating.

Simple Steps to Craft Your Baked Apple Donuts

Baking these apple donuts is a straightforward process that yields incredibly delicious results. Follow these easy steps for a perfect batch:

1. Prepare Your Oven and Pans: Begin by preheating your oven to 400℉ (200°C). Generously grease your donut pan(s) with butter or baking spray. Ensuring the cavities are well-greased is crucial for easy removal of the baked donuts. Set the prepared pan(s) aside.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and there are no lumps. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices. Set this bowl aside.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the unsweetened applesauce (or apple butter), oil of choice, milk of choice, and pure vanilla extract. Whisk these wet ingredients until they are smooth and well-incorporated.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, gently fold the ingredients together until they are just mixed. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tough donuts. Stop as soon as no streaks of dry flour remain. If you’re adding fresh apple, gently fold in the grated or cubed apple at this stage.
5. Fill the Donut Pans: Transfer the donut batter into a large piping bag. If you don’t have a piping bag, a large ziplock bag with one corner snipped off will work just as well. Pipe the batter evenly into each cavity of your prepared donut pan(s), filling each one almost to the top. This ensures plump, perfectly shaped donuts.
6. Bake to Perfection: Place the donut pan(s) in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes. The donuts are ready when they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean, indicating they are cooked through.
7. Cooling Process: Once baked, remove the donuts from the oven. Allow them to cool in the pan(s) for about 10 minutes. This resting period helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking when transferred. After 10 minutes, carefully transfer the donuts to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: While the donuts are cooling but still slightly warm (after about 15 minutes, when they are easy to handle), prepare your topping. In one small, shallow bowl, place the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter. In another small, shallow bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined.
9. Coat the Donuts: Dip each donut first into the melted butter, ensuring it’s evenly coated, then immediately dip it into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Roll or press gently to ensure a generous coating. You can choose to coat the entire donut or just the tops, depending on your preference. Serve immediately and savor every delicious bite!

Ingredient Swaps for Your Apple Donut Recipe

One of the beauties of baking is the flexibility to adapt recipes to your preferences or what you have on hand. These apple donuts are no exception, offering several delicious substitution options:

• Applesauce vs. Apple Butter: The recipe calls for either unsweetened applesauce or apple butter, making it easy to create delicious applesauce donuts or apple butter donuts. Unsweetened varieties are generally preferred as they allow you to control the sugar level in the overall recipe. If you opt for sweetened applesauce, you might consider slightly reducing the granulated sugar in the batter to maintain balance, based on your taste.
• Oil and Milk Choices: This recipe is very forgiving when it comes to fats and liquids. Feel free to use your preferred oil, whether it’s neutral-flavored canola oil, light olive oil, vegetable oil, or melted coconut oil. Each will contribute slightly different nuances to the donut’s texture. Similarly, for the milk, almond milk is a fantastic option for a dairy-free approach, but regular dairy milk, oat milk, or even buttermilk (which adds a lovely tang and moisture) will work perfectly.
• Butter as an Oil Alternative: If you love the rich flavor of butter, you can absolutely substitute melted butter for the oil of choice in the donut batter. Just ensure it’s melted and slightly cooled before incorporating it into the wet ingredients.
• Glazed Apple Cake Donuts: Craving a smooth, sweet glaze instead of the cinnamon-sugar coating? It’s incredibly simple to switch things up! To make a basic glaze, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar with a tablespoon of maple syrup (for extra fall flavor) or vanilla extract. Gradually add small amounts of milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency – thick enough to coat, but thin enough to drip. Dip the tops of your cooled donuts into the glaze, then place them on a wire rack to allow the glaze to set beautifully.
• Make it Vegan: To transform this recipe into a completely vegan delight, simply ensure all your ingredients are plant-based. Since the recipe already uses applesauce or apple butter as an egg substitute, you just need to use organic ingredients, your preferred plant-based milk (like almond or oat milk), and vegan butter or oil for both the donuts and the topping. No eggs are necessary, making this an effortlessly adaptable recipe for vegan diets!

Crafting Your Own Apple Pie Spice Blend

Elevate the warm, autumnal flavors of your baked goods with a homemade apple pie spice blend. This aromatic mixture can be wonderfully substituted for the individual cinnamon and nutmeg in your donut batter, adding a richer, more complex depth of flavor. While store-bought apple pie spice is convenient, creating your own is incredibly simple and guarantees freshness. This easy homemade version yields about 3 tablespoons, which is perfect for a batch of these donuts and other apple desserts. Store it in a small, airtight container to maintain its potency.

To make your own Apple Pie Spice, simply combine the following ingredients in a small bowl and stir well:

• 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon allspice

Tips for Achieving Perfectly Baked Apple Donuts

To ensure your baked apple donuts turn out wonderfully moist, tender, and perfectly spiced every time, keep these simple tips in mind:

• Don’t Overmix the Batter: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough and rubbery texture in your donuts. A few small lumps are perfectly fine!
• Fill Pans Evenly: Using a piping bag (or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off) allows you to neatly and evenly fill each donut cavity. This ensures consistent baking and uniform donut shapes. Avoid overfilling, as the donuts will rise during baking.
• Check for Doneness: The baking time of 10-12 minutes is a guideline. Ovens can vary, so always perform the toothpick test. Insert a toothpick into the center of a donut; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, your donuts are perfectly baked. Overbaking can dry them out.
• Cooling is Key: Allowing the donuts to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack is important. This helps them firm up, making them less likely to break when handled and ensuring they hold their shape.
• Coat While Warm: For the best cinnamon-sugar adhesion, coat the donuts while they are still warm, but cool enough to handle comfortably (about 15 minutes after coming out of the oven). The slight warmth helps the melted butter stick and, in turn, allows the sugar to cling perfectly.

Storing Your Delicious Apple Donuts

Proper storage ensures your baked apple donuts remain as delightful as when they first came out of the oven, allowing you to enjoy them for days.

• Room Temperature Storage: For immediate enjoyment, store your apple cake donuts in an airtight container or a large ziplock bag at room temperature. They will retain their freshness and soft texture for up to two days. As with most baked goods, both baked and fried donuts undeniably taste best on the day they are made.
• Refrigerated Storage: If you need to extend their shelf life slightly, place the donuts in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for several days. When you’re ready to enjoy them, you can eat them straight from the fridge for a cooler treat, or gently warm them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to restore their tender texture and fragrant aroma.
• Longer Refrigeration: For maximum freshness beyond a few days, keeping them in an airtight container in the fridge is ideal. Before serving, a quick warm-up in the microwave for 15-25 seconds will bring them back to life, making them soft and inviting once more.

Freezing Apple Donuts for Later Enjoyment

These baked apple donuts freeze beautifully, making them an excellent candidate for meal prepping or simply having a sweet treat on hand whenever a craving strikes.

• Freezing Instructions: To freeze, ensure the donuts are completely cooled. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour, or until solid. This prevents them from sticking together. Once frozen, transfer the donuts to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty ziplock bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to two months without losing quality.
• Thawing and Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy a frozen donut, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. For a warm and tender experience, microwave the thawed donut for 20-25 seconds, or until heated through. This quick reheat will make them taste almost as good as fresh!

These absolutely delicious apple donuts are truly awesome for all your fall gatherings, from festive Halloween parties to heartwarming Thanksgiving feasts. Serve them alongside a mug of steaming hot apple cider or rich cocoa for the ultimate cozy experience. Don’t forget to share this wonderful recipe with your friends and family on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! If you’re eager for more apple-inspired treats, be sure to explore our collection of 45 Must-Try Best Apple Dessert Recipes.

More Donut & Dessert Yumminess!

• Glazed Fluffy Chocolate Donuts
• Baked Pumpkin Cake Donuts
• Fun Chocolate Sprinkle Donuts
• Oreo Chocolate Cake Donuts
• 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Donut Muffins
• Easy Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe
• Lemon Glazed Lemon Donuts
• Delicious Baked Biscoff Donuts