These simple Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts are so simple to make. Ready in under 30 minutes and with a perfect apple cider glaze on top! The perfect fall breakfast!
This recipe was originally published in November 2017 and updated October 2020.
I am a full on cake donut fan. Don't give me the air filled yeast donuts. No thanks.
Old Fashioned sour cream are my very favorite on the planet. Those will be happening in some way soon here.
But for now, baked donuts will do. These apple donuts are soooo simple to make and whip up in no time as well. So they will surely do for me!
When apple season is in full swing, they become my Frank's Red Hot--ya know, I put that $#&@ on everything. Literally. Apple Pie Overnight Oats, Apple Pancakes, and definitely an Apple Dump Cake or two!
And these apple cider glaze covered goodies are yet another way to enjoy my Fujis!
Why I love this recipe:
- These apple donuts are kid friendly from start to finish.
- Juicy apples are baked right into the donuts.
- 15 minutes of prep, tops.
- Three words: apple cider glaze.
Weekend brunching and cold days in with the kids just got a whole lot tastier!
What you will need:
As for the glaze, you will just need powdered sugar, apple cider, and vanilla. If you don't have apple cider, that is ok, you can always use milk or cream!
How to make this recipe:
Whisk together the wet ingredients plus the sugar until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk dry ingredients together. Then combine the dry and wet and stir to combine. No need to over stir the dry and the wet, just enough until they are incorporated. (steps 1-3)
Fold in the diced apples. (steps 5-6) Seriously, this doesn't get much easier, do you agree??
From there, I like to pipe mine into the donut pan for less mess, but you can spoon them if you prefer. Make sure the donut pan is sprayed well!
Once they are baked, allow the donuts to cool for several minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to prep for the glaze.
I prefer a really nice and thick glaze. You can make it thinner if you prefer. I have had better luck spreading the glaze across the donuts versus dunking them into the bowl of icing.
At any rate, just get the donuts glazed, and glazed well and you will be good to go!
Notes and Pro-Tips:
- If you don't have any apple cider, simply use milk or cream for the liquid in the glaze.
- For a really nice glaze to set, you want the donuts COMPLETELY cooled before you ice them. If not, the glaze will melt into the donuts. This is not always a bad thing though!
- I use plain Greek yogurt in my apple donuts. You could use a vanilla Greek yogurt as well and have great results.
- Make sure to spray the top of your donut pan as well. That way it is easy to get the donuts out in case they bake over at all.
Check out these other recipes:
- Greek Yogurt Donuts with Chocolate Glaze
- The Easiest Homemade Pop Tarts
- Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Cookies
- Maple Bacon French Toast Muffins
- Triple Vanilla Donuts with Maple Vanilla Glaze
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Baked Apple Donuts with Apple Cider Glaze
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1 c flour
- 1 egg
- ½ c milk
- 2 T butter melted
- ⅓ c Greek Yogurt
- ½ c sugar
- 1 apple, med-small I prefer gala or fuji
- 2-3 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 2 c powdered sugar
- 3-4 T apple cider
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- dash of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel and dice the apple.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, egg, sugar, vanilla, butter and yogurt.
- In a separate bowl, combine baking powder, flour, sea salt, baking soda and cinnamon.
- Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients and then fold in apples.
- Spoon or pipe batter into a greased donut pan and bake for about 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely and then whisk together glaze ingredients. Spread the glaze over top of the donuts. For best results, store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days in an airtight container.
Notes
- If you don't have any apple cider, simply use milk or cream for the liquid in the glaze.
- For a really nice glaze to set, you want the donuts COMPLETELY cooled before you ice them. If not, the glaze will melt into the donuts. This is not always a bad thing though!
- I use plain Greek yogurt in my apple donuts. You could use a vanilla Greek yogurt as well and have great results.
- Make sure to spray the top of your donut pan as well. That way it is easy to get the donuts out in case they bake over at all.
Marj says
Can you use regular yogurt
Lorie says
Hi! From what I just read, you should be able to sub regular yogurt with no issues. Let me know how it goes!
Alisa says
Yum! These look so rich, flavorful, and hearty - just how I like baked goods. And I keep all of these ingredients on hand - except for the Greek yogurt, but that's an easy swap!
Lorie says
For sure! Could easily be made dairy free!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
I'm so excited for these fall inspired donuts! They look amazing!
Lorie says
Thanks and enjoy!
Christine says
Oh, YUM! Love all things apple, cinnamon, and fall right now. These would be perfect and would make my house smell amazing!
Lorie says
Yes, the House aroma is a bonus!
Rachel says
Apples are my favorite. This sounds like a delicious recipe.
Lorie says
Thanks!
Taylor Kiser says
Congratulations on your baby!
These apple cinnamon baked donuts are calling my name! I would love these for breakfast or as an afternoon snack!
Lorie says
Thanks so much Taylor!!!
Sarah says
I can imagine the looks and comments, especially in society today and all the pressure on moms to get that perfect pre baby body right after their babies are born when they should be focused on recovery, caring for themselves, and cherishing and soaking up all the newborn baby snuggles.
Lorie says
Agree! Hoping that’s the way we can shift!
Emily Bamonte says
I absolutely love reading your blog! Even in your darkest days you have continued to inspire me. Today's blog rang so true to my ears... after 5 years with zero pregnancies we were on our 5th and final IVF cycle and it worked... with twins. Now I get the comments "you look so good for having twins." I loved the way I looked large and swollen while I was pregnant and I am not nor will I ever be unhappy with my mom pooch or my stretch marks. Ever since my sister (Jessica Ballman) introduced me to your blog I have prayed for happiness for your family and I am so excited you finally have your miracle! Thank you (again) for reminding us about how beautiful parenthood is (no matter how you come across it)
Lorie says
Emily thank you so much for your comment!! First, I’m so happy to hear of your success. I thank you so much for your prayers—our miracle took a village, trust me, my mom had most of Cincinnati praying as well. It’s so refreshing to hear positivity around your body after babies. Tell Jess I said hello!!!