Print

Baked Applesauce Donuts 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.

Ingredients

Scale

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