Baked Apple Butter Donuts

These cinnamon sugar-coated Baked Apple Butter Donuts have the flavor of warm spice and will give you all sorts of fall vibes. They are easy to make but big on flavor and comfort. If you want to try just one new donut recipe this year, this is THE one!!

We are heading into fall, and that makes me think of apples. I love baking with fresh apples, but I also love baking with apple butter. My simple and easy Apple Butter Cookies always have them asking for the recipe, and the Caramel Apple Butter Blondies are fudgy and amazing! These donuts are my latest addition to the fall baking repertoire. They, too, have been a hit.  

Anyone can make this, even non-bakers. It takes just a few minutes to prepare the batter, and no machinery is required. The dry ingredients are mixed in one bowl, the wet in another. Blend the two, fill the donut molds with the batter, then bake. They will be done in 12 minutes or less!   

To finish, brush with melted butter, then dip in cinnamon sugar. The fresh donuts are ready to eat, warm or room temperature.

These donuts are deliciously aromatic and tender. The apple flavor, sweetness, and warmth of the apple butter come through. Combined with sweet, cinnamony, and crunchy sugar coating, they are a treat to enjoy during fall, throughout the holiday season, and beyond!

What is apple butter and where to find it?

It is essentially spiced and sweetened concentrated applesauce. I talked about it more here if you would like additional info. It is delicious stuff that I love to keep around for my fall baking.  

Apple butter can be found in the peanut butter section of the supermarket. Of course, you can always get it online. I personally like and use Musselman (affiliate link), but any brand will do.

Recipe Highlights:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
• Add dry ingredients to a small bowl. Blend.
• Add wet ingredients to a large bowl. Beat by hand for 1 minute to blend well.
• Gradually add the dry to the wet, stirring until just blended.

• Transfer the batter to a piping bag or plastic storage bag. Snip off tip.
• Pipe batter into prepared donut molds.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes.
• While donuts bake, prepare the cinnamon and sugar.
• Once out of the oven, cool the donuts slightly. Unmold and transfer donuts to a wire cooling rack.
• For each donut, brush with melted butter. Dip the donut into cinnamon sugar.
• Enjoy!
• See the recipe card for detailed instructions.

View the step-by-step video or save for later with this Pinterest Pin. 

How to store donuts?

For maximum freshness, these donuts are best eaten the same day, but they can be stored to enjoy at a later time.  

To store at room temperature: place in an airtight plastic storage container, then keep in a dry, cool area away from sunlight. The cinnamon sugar coating holds up well for one day. It will get absorbed into the donut when left out at room temperature longer.   

To store refrigerated: place in an airtight plastic storage container. Donuts will remain fresh for up to 5 days. Microwave for a few seconds before serving.

To freeze: place donuts on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze for one hour or until frozen. Place the donuts into a freezer bag or a storage container and freeze for up to 2 months.  

To thaw: leave in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. Or defrost at room temperature for at least 1 1/2 hours. Microwave for a few seconds before serving, optional.

These donuts are great for breakfast with a hot or cold cup of coffee, as an afternoon pick-me-up, or dessert. Once you see and smell them, they are hard to pass up. Try them and let me know how they turn out! You are going to love them!

Recommended supplies:

(Affiliate links. The products I recommend are either what I use, are on my wish list, or come highly rated.)

• Donut molds—these are non-stick and dishwasher safe.
• Spatula for scraping the batter. I have this silicone set and use it all the time.
• Wire whisk for beating the batter. This one is sturdy and made of stainless steel.
• Mixing bowls—this is a set of 3 with a non-skid bottom and a pour spout.

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Baked Apple Butter Donuts

Author: Thao | In Good Flavor Cooking Method:Mixing, Baking Cuisine:American Courses:Dessert, Breakfast Recipe Keys: B Baking

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 8 minutesCook time: 10 minutesTotal time: 18 minutesServings:12 Servings

Description

These cinnamon sugar-coated Baked Apple Butter Donuts have the flavor of warm spice and will give you all sorts of fall vibes. They are easy to make but big on flavor and comfort. If you want to try just one new donut recipe this year, this is THE one!!

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2  teaspoon baking powder 
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup apple butter
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil

For the cinnamon sugar:

• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Recommended supplies (affiliate links):

• Mixing bowls
• Donut molds
• Silicone spatula

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, combine flour, salt, cinnamon, baking soda, and baking powder. Blend.
3. In a large bowl, add eggs, apple butter, sugar, vanilla, and oil. Beat by hand for one minute to blend well.
4. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture until just blended.
5. Grease two 6-cavity donut pans with cooking spray. 
6. Scoop the batter into a piping bag or a plastic storage bag. Cinch the top. Snip a half inch off the tip.
7. Pipe batter into each cavity, filling the cavity 3/4 full.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Done when a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into a donut.
9. While donut bakes, prepare the cinnamon sugar: combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Blend well.
10. Remove baked donuts from the oven. Cool for 2 minutes before unmolding. Place on wire cooling rack
11. Brush a donut with melted butter. Dip the donut into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat all sides. Return to cooling rack. Butter and coat the remaining donuts.

Notes:<br>

• Donuts will be delicate straight out of the oven. Handle gently when coating with cinnamon sugar. Wait for them to cool more, if needed, before handling. They will firm up some.
• Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, refrigerated for 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
• To freeze donuts, place them on a wax paper-lined tray. Leave in the freezer for one hour or until frozen. Transfer to an airtight storage container. Freeze.
• Defrost donuts in the refrigerator for a few hours to overnight, or leave at room temperature for at least 1 1/2 hours. Microwave a few seconds before eating, optional.

Keywords:donuts, apple donuts, apple butter, fall baking, fall dessert

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