Brown Sugar Glazed Apple Cinnamon Baked Donuts

Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings 18 donuts

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These Apple Cinnamon Baked Donuts are packed with apples (healthy, right?!) and cinnamon — the perfect fall treat! Smothered in a brown sugar glaze that makes these a decadent dessert or special breakfast 🙂

stack of apple cinnamon baked donuts with glaze and topped with crushed pecans

So quite a while back, in the summer, I polled my Facebook group (I’d love for you to join!) about their favorite dessert flavor combinations.

And even though it was the middle of summer, apple cinnamon was easily number 1. I was a little flabbergasted! I absolutely expected chocolate to be #1, and if not chocolate then for sure lemon, right?

But I love the feedback I get there and so I’ve definitely been planning for some more apple cinnamon recipes this fall.

apple cinnamon baked donuts lined up on black cooling rack with glaze and chopped pecans

With my intense loving for “apple-crisping” everything, this really wasn’t much of a stretch! I already have Apple Crisp Doughnuts, Apple Crisp Pancakes, Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns, Apple Crisp Cookies, Apple Crisp Cheesecakes and even though I have like 18 more I’m going to stop there because it’s getting to be ridiculous.

overhead close up image of 6 baked apple donuts on black cooling rack

So I figured I would try to do apple without the crisp this time. I know, it’s going to take some time for you to adjust but I do have donuts, so I think you’ll get over it just fine.

I really wanted to try to use the brown sugar glaze from these Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies (because they’re amazing!), and I love the way it pairs with apples! So perfect for that bucket of apples!

6 apple cinnamon baked donuts on black cooling rack on marble background with whole apples on the side

NOTES:

  • I use these donut pans from Wilton and they are cheap and work perfectly! I’ve never had any issues with sticking.
  • The easiest way to fill the donut pan is to put the batter in a large disposable piping bag — there’s no mess and you can just chuck it when you’re done! I buy them bulk because I use them for everything!
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Brown Sugar Glazed Apple Cinnamon Baked Donuts

5 from 1 vote
These Apple Cinnamon Baked Donuts are packed with apples (healthy, right?!) and cinnamon — the perfect fall treat! Smothered in a brown sugar glaze that makes these a decadent dessert or special breakfast ?
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Bread and Baked Goods, Dessert
Servings 18 donuts
Calories 210cal

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk or substitute regular milk
  • 2 2/3 all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 Granny Smith or other tart apples, peeled and shredded

Glaze

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 1/4 cup powdered icing sugar
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans if desired.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and grease your doughnut pans well.
  • In a large bowl, combine butter, oil and sugar. Add in eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk and whisk until smooth.
  • Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and stir just until combined. Stir in apples. Batter will be thick.
  • Spoon batter into a large disposable piping bag or freezer bag. Cut off the end of the bag so your opening is about ½-3/4” wide. Pipe batter once around each doughnut hole – the batter should just fill the hole as they’ll expand and rise.
  • Bake for 7-8 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes before removing from the doughnut pan to cool completely.
  • GlazeIn a medium pan, heat the brown sugar and milk over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Boil for 3-4 minutes, then remove from the heat and stir in the butter until melted.
  • Whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth.
  • Working quickly, dip the tops of each donut in the glaze before inverting onto a wire cooling rack.
  • If the glaze firms up too quickly, simply reheat over low on the stove until liquid, then remove from the heat and continue glazing. Sprinkle with walnuts or pecans if desired.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 210cal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 106mg | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Natalie says

    Oh my goodness. As soon as my kitchen reno is finished and I can actually bake again I’m trying these. And probably eating six of them with a cup of hot apple cider.

  2. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    Apple cinnamon is the best combination in my eyes, especially when fall rolls around. I’ve made a similar version, but with apple cider, so I am loving your creation, Ashley! And brown sugar on top? YUM! Just what I need on this chilly Thursday morning!

  3. Kelly says

    Apple cinnamon is definitely high on my favorites list too and so are donuts 🙂 These looks SOO good! I love the brown sugar glaze on these! I’m about to eat my breakfast and definitely wish I was having a few of these!

  4. Dorothy Dunton says

    Hi Ashley! I have Wilton doughnut pans too! And I have been all about apples lately, in the last week a made apple cookies and big apple cake. I think apple donuts are in my future!

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