Baked Apple Donuts with Glaze

I still remember the fall morning when I first pulled a batch of these baked apple donuts with glaze out of the oven and the entire kitchen smelled like warm cinnamon and sweet apples linking that moment with the crisp breeze outside and a cup of coffee in my hand made me fall in love with homemade donuts all over again. I had picked up too many apples from the orchard and instead of another pie I thought why not try something fun and cozy that I could share easily with friends and family?

That simple decision turned into one of my favorite fall baking traditions and now these donuts show up every September in my kitchen linking that with weekend brunches and cozy afternoons. They are soft and tender thanks to the apples and the light glaze on top adds the perfect finish without overpowering the fruit and spice flavors.

Ingredients :

Here’s what I use for this recipe. You can always make substitutions if you prefer!

• All-purpose flour – The structure base that holds the donuts together
• Baking powder – Gives the donuts their lovely rise and fluffiness
• Baking soda – Adds extra lift and balances the acidity of the apples
• Ground cinnamon – Adds warmth and enhances the apple flavor
• Nutmeg – Offers a subtle spice that deepens the fall flavor
• Salt – Balances sweetness and sharpens the flavors
• Applesauce – Keeps the donuts moist and naturally sweet
• Brown sugar – Adds depth and a hint of caramel-like sweetness
• Eggs – Helps bind everything together and adds richness
• Vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavors with a sweet aroma
• Milk – Moistens the batter and brings everything together
• Unsalted butter – Adds richness and helps with the soft texture
• Powdered sugar – Forms the base of the glaze
• Milk (for glaze) – Thins out the glaze to make it pourable
• Vanilla extract (for glaze) – Gives the glaze a lovely aroma

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls – I use these to keep my dry and wet ingredients separate before combining
• Whisk – Helps evenly blend the dry ingredients and beat the eggs smoothly
• Measuring cups and spoons – Accuracy is key with baking so I always measure carefully
• Donut pan – This is essential for getting the classic donut shape when baking instead of frying
• Cooling rack – I use this to let the donuts cool evenly and avoid sogginess
• Spatula – Makes folding in ingredients and scraping the bowl clean a breeze
• Piping bag or zip-top bag – Makes it easy to pipe the batter neatly into the donut pan

Instructions

Step 1:

I start by preheating the oven to 350°F and lightly greasing my donut pan with a little butter or non-stick spray.

Step 2:

In a large mixing bowl I whisk together the flour baking powder baking soda cinnamon nutmeg and salt until evenly combined.

Step 3:

In another bowl I whisk the applesauce brown sugar eggs milk melted butter and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.

Step 4:

I pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix them together using a spatula. I make sure not to overmix so the donuts stay light and fluffy.

Step 5:

Next I transfer the batter into a piping bag (or zip-top bag with the tip cut off) and carefully pipe it into the prepared donut pan filling each cavity about ¾ full.

Step 6:

I bake the donuts for about 12 to 15 minutes or until they spring back lightly when touched. Then I let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Step 7:

While the donuts cool I make the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar milk and vanilla extract until smooth and slightly runny.

Step 8:

Once the donuts are fully cooled I dip the tops into the glaze and let the excess drip off. I place them back on the rack to set for a few minutes before serving.

Tips

If you want a stronger apple flavor I sometimes dice up a small apple and fold it into the batter for extra texture.

I’ve also made these with a maple glaze instead of vanilla which adds a rich fall twist.

These donuts freeze beautifully. I like to keep a batch on hand and just glaze them after reheating.

For a healthier version I’ve swapped brown sugar for coconut sugar and they still turn out great.

Ways to Serve

Enjoy them warm with a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy breakfast

Add them to a fall-themed brunch spread with fruit and spiced lattes

Serve as a fun after-school snack for kids (they love the glaze!)

Wrap a few in parchment and ribbon for a sweet homemade gift

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Baked Apple Donuts with Glaze without a donut pan?

Yes! You can use a muffin tin and place foil balls in the center to mimic the donut shape though they won’t be as perfectly round.

How do I store Baked Apple Donuts with Glaze?

I usually store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate them to keep longer.

Can I make Baked Apple Donuts with Glaze gluten-free?

Yes you can substitute a gluten-free flour blend and they still come out soft and flavorful.

See You in the Kitchen

I hope you give these Baked Apple Donuts with Glaze a try! They’re one of my favorite ways to celebrate fall and they always bring smiles to the table. Let me know how yours turn out and don’t forget to save this recipe to your autumn baking list.

Happy Cooking!

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