Soft, apple filled baked doughnuts (donuts, whatever!) topped with crunchy brown sugar streusel and maple glaze — the BEST doughnut I’ve ever had! Perfect for fall and Thanksgiving!
I wish you could understand just how long I’ve been dreaming of making these doughnuts.
Pretty much since the day I made these Baked Lemon Blueberry Doughnuts.
I’m not even lying! But I waited, and waited, and waited until fall so I could make them, because summer was starting and I had about 1,839 kinds of ice cream I wanted to make so I put them on hold.
This was one of the sweetest victories I’ve had in a loooooonng time. And I think part of the reason is because I’d been dreaming of them for so long! That and the fact that they have never really been done before. Anywhere.
Or at least not anywhere that’s been pinned to Pinterest. And that’s all that counts, right?
You know how you feel when you bite into something and you’re not sure if you’ve ever had a more wonderful bite in your life?
That is these doughnuts.
I started with the same base as the Lemon Blueberry Doughnuts, but swapped out the lemon and blueberries for cinnamon and apples. And then I totally loaded the top with brown sugar streusel. Some of it might fall off or slide off onto the baking pan while baking, and I give you my full permission to scrape it off the pan and into your mouth as they come out of the oven.
I just love apple and maple together, so I had to slather them with a maple glaze! And — OH MY WORD — I do not regret it.
I could go on and on and on but I kind of feel like you might just want me to get to the goods!
Baked Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Doughnuts (Donuts)
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
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 2/3 all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4-1 cup finely chopped apples
Streusel
- 1/4 cup butter cold
- 1/4 cup whole wheat or all purpose flour
- 1 cup large oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Glaze
- 1 tbsp butter melted
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 3/4 cup powdered icing sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and grease your doughnut pans with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine butter, oil and sugar and whisk until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add in eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, and cinnamon and whisk until smooth.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, and whisk just until combined. Stir in apples. Batter will be thick (see notes).
- Make the streusel: Combine butter, flour, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon until combined. It will hold together if you press it between your fingers, but I prefer my streusel this way! It will get nice and crunchy as it bakes.
- Spoon batter into a large disposable piping bag or freezer bag (optional method – see notes). Cut off the end of the bag so your opening is about ½-3/4” wide (big enough for the apples to get through). Pipe batter once around each doughnut hole – the batter shouldn’t quite fill the hole as they’ll expand and rise.
- Press crumbles of streusel into the top of the doughnut (my tops were pretty much completely covered!).
- 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.
Make the glaze:
- Combine butter, maple syrup and powdered sugar with a whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled doughnuts and let set.
Notes
*If you’re making these ahead of time, I recommend baking them, letting them cool, and storing in an airtight container, then glazing up to a few hours before serving them. The glazed doughnuts become softer and stickier when stored in an airtight container. I baked and glazed them in the morning, and let them sit on the counter the whole day so the glaze would stay set.
Nutrition Information
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Michelle says
I don’t have any donut pans but would still like to make these. Could I use muffin tins instead?
Ashley Fehr says
You could try! The texture is not really like a muffin, but you could definitely try it and let me know how it works for you!
Stacey @ Bake Eat Repeat says
Those kind of look like the best doughnuts I’ve ever seen. And dousing them with maple glaze was definitely not a bad idea! I need to make these soon!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Stacey! I can’t help but put maple on apple and cinnamon!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
All of these flavors…YUM. I’d be dreaming about them too! I don’t know what it is about fall baking but I can’t stop thinking of donuts. I need to make these soon!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, oh my word I am in such a doughnut phase! Love them!
Danielle says
I’ve become pretty obsessed with baked donuts, so these sound perfect! I love that streusel on top and that glaze. Yum!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
I would gladly shove five of these doughnuts into my mouth without regret!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! I really like making baked doughnuts because I really don’t like frying. That said I’m not opposed to eating fried as long as I don’t have to do the frying! I would have a hard time choosing between apple doughnuts, fritters, coffee cake or muffins! Maybe I should just give in and have one of each! 🙂
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
This is seriously SUCH a fun idea and perfect for Fall!! I love a good doughnut and especially with a delicious apple crisp on top 🙂 So creative!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Chelsea!
[email protected] says
I can’t believe how fabulous these doughnuts look! I want to eat them all fall!
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says
These doughnuts – are SO delicious looking! I’m crazy about that streusel!
Amanda | The Cinnamon Scrolls says
These look absolutely stunning! Pinning them to make later this month! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I would be dreaming about these doughnuts too! They look sensational! I love the apple crisp twist and topping it with the maple glaze just screams fall perfection!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kelly!
Michelle @ My California Kitchen says
Whoa, I can see why these would be your favorite donuts ever. I love everything about them! As if apple crisp isn’t good enough, you had to go ahead and put them on a donut and top them with maple glaze?? Genius! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, thanks Michelle!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
This looks delicious! Love the maple glaze 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Medha!
Sammie says
All kinds of wow – these doughnuts look and sound amazing. So glad my apple trees are laden with fruit. Mmm delicious, thank you for sharing.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sammie!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Can’t believe these have never been made before! The flavor combo sounds amazing. Love the streusel topping.
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, I’m going to tell myself that anyway! 😉
Shinee says
Mmmm, I love this fall baking season. I’ll take anything with pumpkin, apples and pears! And that glaze sounds amazing!!
Marsha @ Marsha's Baking Addiction says
These doughnuts look so scrumptious! These are perfect for autumn!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Marsha!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
This is just awesome. I love all baked treats. And they look super stunning and delicious. And that maple glaze is so dreamy! Lovely.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Anu!
Tori says
Just wow. These doughnuts look incredible and they’re just the thing for fall!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Tori!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
These donuts look amazing, Ashley! Now I think I’m dreaming of eating them! I love the maple glaze on top!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, thanks Gayle!