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Looking down at two round apple donuts with a ring of cinnamon-sugar on top, resting on a dark surface.

Apple Donuts (Baked with Applesauce)

Soft and fluffy baked donuts made with cinnamon applesauce, coated in cinnamon sugar or vanilla icing. Ready in 20 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Donuts
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour 250 g
  • 1/2 cup white sugar 100 g
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cinnamon applesauce 120 g
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil 60 ml
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk 180 ml
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
  • 4 tablespoons butter 56 g, melted
  • 1/2 cup sugar 100 g
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Icing Topping
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 180 g
  • 3 tablespoons milk 45 ml

Method
 

Donuts

  1. Preheat Oven and Grease Pan:

    Set oven to 400°F (205°C). Mist donut pan with nonstick spray.

  2. Whisk Dry Ingredients:

    In a medium bowl, combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt with a whisk.

  3. Mix Wet Ingredients:

    In a large bowl, mix applesauce, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla together.

  4. Fold Batter Together:

    Pour dry mixture into wet and fold until barely blended.

  5. Transfer Batter to Bag:

    Insert a zip-top bag into a tall jar, folding the edges over the rim. Spoon batter into bag, twist the top, and secure with a clip. Cut off a small corner.

  6. Fill Donut Molds:

    Squeeze batter into each donut mold until 3/4 full.

  7. Bake and Cool Donuts:

    Bake for 10-12 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Cinnamon Sugar Topping

  1. Prepare Butter and Cinnamon Sugar:

    Put melted butter into a shallow bowl. In another bowl, stir together 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

  2. Dip in Butter and Coat:

    Submerge the top of each donut in butter, allow excess to drip off, then coat in cinnamon sugar. Wait a few minutes, then repeat the dipping for a thicker coating.
Icing Topping

  1. Make Icing and Decorate:

    In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Add milk gradually if needed. Optionally add food coloring, then dip or drizzle icing over donuts and finish with sprinkles.