Baked Applesauce Donuts Recipe

Introduction

Baked Applesauce Donuts are a light, tender treat perfect for a cozy breakfast or snack. These donuts are flavored with cinnamon and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar, combining warmth and sweetness in every bite. Plus, they’re baked, not fried, making them a healthier homemade delight.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tbsp milk
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (for coating)
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for coating)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 6-hole donut pan with extra butter. Set the pan aside.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
3. Step 3: Using an electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
4. Step 4: Add the egg, vanilla extract, applesauce, and milk to the butter mixture. Beat until all ingredients are fully combined.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until smooth. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
6. Step 6: Spoon the batter into a large piping bag and pipe it evenly into each cavity of the prepared donut pan.
7. Step 7: Bake the donuts for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean and the donuts have set.
8. Step 8: Remove the pan from the oven and let the donuts cool for about 5 minutes. Then carefully remove the donuts from the pan.
9. Step 9: To make the cinnamon sugar coating, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush each donut with melted butter, then dip or sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the donuts to coat them evenly.

Tips & Variations

• Mix the batter gently to avoid developing gluten, which can make the donuts tough.
• Greasing your donut pan generously and dusting with a little flour can help prevent sticking.
• Allow the donuts to cool slightly in the pan before removing to help them hold their shape and make decorating easier.
• For a richer flavor, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or substituting half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
• Experiment with different toppings like a light glaze or chopped nuts instead of cinnamon sugar.

Storage

Store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving to restore their softness. These donuts can also be frozen—wrap them individually and thaw at room temperature before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use sweetened applesauce instead of unsweetened?

Yes, but reduce the added sugar slightly in the recipe to balance the sweetness and avoid overly sweet donuts.

What if I don’t have a donut pan?

You can use a muffin tin instead, filling each cup less than halfway to mimic the donut shape. Alternatively, bake the batter in a cake pan and cut into shapes once cooled.

Baked Applesauce Donuts Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 113 reviews

These Baked Applesauce Donuts are a healthier, moist, and flavorful treat perfect for breakfast or a snack. Made with a blend of spices and sweetened with natural applesauce, they bake up light and tender with a delightful cinnamon sugar coating that adds just the right amount of sweetness and crunch.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 donuts 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the donuts:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tbsp milk

For the cinnamon sugar coating:

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 6-hole donut pan with extra butter to prevent sticking and set it aside.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Whisk these together and set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugars: Using an electric mixer, beat the room temperature unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth.
4. Add wet ingredients: To the creamed butter and sugar, add the large egg, vanilla extract, unsweetened applesauce, and milk. Beat until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
5. Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating until the batter is smooth and well incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Fill donut pan: Spoon the batter into a large piping bag and pipe the batter evenly into the donut cavities of the prepared pan.
7. Bake the donuts: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the donuts comes out clean and the donuts feel set to the touch.
8. Cool slightly: Remove the donut pan from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes to allow the donuts to firm up slightly.
9. Remove donuts: Gently remove the donuts from the pan, taking care not to break them.
10. Prepare coating: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon to make the cinnamon sugar coating.
11. Coat donuts: Brush each donut with melted butter, then immediately roll or sprinkle them in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly and add a sweet, spiced crust.

Notes

• Don’t overmix the batter: Mix just enough to combine ingredients to prevent tough donuts caused by gluten development.
• Properly prepare your donut pan: Grease thoroughly and consider dusting with flour to avoid sticking.
• Cool before removing: Allow donuts to cool slightly in the pan before transferring to a cooling rack for better structural integrity and to help cinnamon sugar coating stick.

Keywords: Baked applesauce donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts, healthy baked donuts, autumn desserts, easy baked donuts