Nothing brightens up a cozy morning quite like the sweet aroma of freshly baked apple treats, and this Baked Apple Donuts Recipe delivers just that magic in every bite. These donuts are wonderfully tender, packed with warm spices and the natural sweetness of applesauce, making them a guilt-free indulgence that feels like a hug on a plate. Whether you’re craving a quick breakfast or an afternoon snack, these donuts offer a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of fall any time of year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Baked Apple Donuts Recipe is in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, whether it’s the spice cake mix providing that perfect cakey texture or the applesauce adding moisture and a natural sweetness. The cinnamon and apple pie spice bring warmth and depth, while sugar helps create that irresistible cinnamon sugar crust on top.
- Spice cake mix: This is your donut base, bringing rich spices and a moist crumb effortlessly.
- Applesauce (1 1/2 cups): Adds natural sweetness and keeps the donuts tender without added fat.
- Cinnamon (2 tsp): Infuses warm, comforting flavor that complements the apples perfectly.
- Apple pie spice (1 tsp): A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to elevate the apple flavor.
- Sugar (1 cup): Used to create the cinnamon sugar coating that makes these donuts especially addictive.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tbsp): Combined with sugar for that classic donut topping that’s crispy and sweet.
How to Make Baked Apple Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even cooking right from the start. While the oven heats, spray your donut pan thoroughly with non-stick baking spray to make sure your donuts come out perfectly without sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix, applesauce, cinnamon, and apple pie spice. Stir these together until everything is just blended — you want a smooth batter but be careful not to overmix as this could make the donuts dense instead of light and fluffy.
Step 3: Fill the Donut Pan
Carefully spoon or pour the batter into each section of your prepared donut pan, filling each spot about three-quarters full to allow room for the donuts to rise beautifully.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Place your pan in the preheated oven and bake the donuts for about 12 to 14 minutes. Keep an eye on them as baking times can vary slightly — the donuts should spring back lightly when touched and a toothpick inserted into the center will come out clean.
Step 5: Cool and Coat
Once baked, remove the donuts from the oven and leave them to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. This helps them firm up a bit so they hold their shape when you transfer them to a wire rack.
Step 6: Add the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
While the donuts are still warm but no longer hot, mix the sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Gently toss each donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated in that sweet, crunchy topping that makes these donuts extra special.
How to Serve Baked Apple Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
These baked apple donuts are fantastic on their own, but a sprinkle of chopped walnuts or a light glaze of maple syrup can add a delightful extra layer of flavor and texture. Fresh apple slices on the side also bring a nice crisp contrast that pairs beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve these donuts alongside a steaming mug of chai tea or a creamy latte for the ultimate cozy snack. If you want to turn it into a more substantial breakfast, a bowl of Greek yogurt topped with granola and cinnamon makes an excellent companion.
Creative Ways to Present
To turn your Baked Apple Donuts Recipe into a showstopper at brunch, arrange the donuts in a circle on a decorative plate, drizzle with a cinnamon glaze, and garnish with fresh mint leaves. Another fun idea is to skewer mini donuts to create a playful donut kabob, great for parties and easy snacking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These donuts stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them out of direct sunlight and avoid refrigerating if you want to maintain their tender texture.
Freezing
If you want to keep them longer, freeze the donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen donuts keep well for up to 2 months and you can enjoy your favorite fall flavors whenever cravings hit.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the donut for about 15 seconds in the microwave or place it in a toaster oven for a couple of minutes until just warm. This helps refresh the texture and brings back that delightful cinnamon sugar crunch.
FAQs
Can I use another type of cake mix for this recipe?
While spice cake mix gives the best flavor for the Baked Apple Donuts Recipe, you could experiment with yellow or vanilla cake mix, but the warmth of the spices might be less pronounced.
Is it possible to make these donuts dairy-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally dairy-free since it uses applesauce instead of butter or oil, making it perfect for those avoiding dairy.
Can I substitute the applesauce with fresh apples?
Using fresh apples instead of applesauce would change the moisture content significantly. For best results, stick with unsweetened applesauce or adjust the recipe accordingly by adding a bit more liquid.
How do I prevent the donuts from sticking to the pan?
Generously spraying your donut pan with non-stick baking spray and letting the donuts cool slightly before removing them are key steps to easy release.
What’s the best way to get a crispy cinnamon sugar coating?
Coat the donuts while they are still warm but not hot, and gently toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture—this helps the topping to stick perfectly and create a slightly crispy exterior.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough giving this Baked Apple Donuts Recipe a try — it’s such an easy and delightful way to bring big flavors without complicated steps. Whether it’s for your family breakfast or a special treat with friends, these donuts will quickly become your new favorite, perfectly combining the cozy sweetness of apples and spices into every bite.
Print
Baked Apple Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Deliciously soft and moist baked apple donuts made with a spiced cake mix and applesauce, featuring a cinnamon sugar coating. These easy-to-make treats are perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack.
Ingredients
Donut Batter
- 1 box spice cake mix
- 1 1/2 cups applesauce
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp apple pie spice
Topping
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking the donuts.
- Prepare Donut Pan. Spray a donut pan generously with non-stick baking spray to prevent the donuts from sticking.
- Mix Batter. In a large bowl, combine the spice cake mix, applesauce, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice. Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated and form a smooth batter.
- Fill Donut Pan. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared donut pan, filling each mold approximately 3/4 full.
- Bake Donuts. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the donuts comes out clean.
- Cool Donuts. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes to set.
- Remove Donuts. Carefully take the donuts out of the pan and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating. In a shallow bowl, mix 1 cup of sugar with 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon until evenly combined.
- Coat Donuts. While the donuts are still slightly warm, dip or sprinkle them with the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat thoroughly.
Notes
- Use unsweetened applesauce to reduce sugar content if desired.
- The cinnamon sugar coating can be adjusted to taste, adding more or less cinnamon.
- For a gluten-free option, select a gluten-free spice cake mix.
- Ensure donuts are slightly warm when coating with cinnamon sugar for better adherence.
- These donuts store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
