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To make these delicious Cinnamon Sugar Apple Donuts, you will need the following ingredients: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup whole milk - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 cup finely chopped apples (Fuji or Honeycrisp) - 1 cup granulated sugar (for coating) - 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for coating) - Vegetable oil (for frying) Each ingredient plays a key role in making the donuts fluffy and flavorful. The flour gives them structure. The sugar adds sweetness. Baking powder and baking soda help the donuts rise. Ground cinnamon brings that warm, cozy flavor we love in fall. The salt balances all the sweetness. Using whole milk adds moisture, while melted butter adds richness. The egg binds everything together. Vanilla extract gives a hint of warmth. The chopped apples add a juicy burst of flavor in every bite. Finally, the cinnamon sugar coating adds a crunchy, sweet finish. Gather these ingredients and get ready to create a fall treat that you will love! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, grab a large mixing bowl. Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Then, mix in 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Next, add 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Use a whisk to blend everything well. This mix is the base for your donuts. Now, take another bowl. Pour in 1/2 cup of whole milk. Add 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk these together until smooth. This mixture will bring moisture and flavor to your donuts. Next, heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or pot. Aim for 350°F (175°C). Make sure there’s enough oil to fully cover the donuts. Use a piping bag or a spoon to drop small amounts of the batter into the hot oil. Fry 3-4 donuts at a time. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to take them out and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. While the donuts are still warm, it’s time to coat them. In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Roll each warm donut in this cinnamon sugar mix. Make sure they are fully coated. Place the coated donuts on a wire rack to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these tasty treats! For the best flavor, use Fuji or Honeycrisp apples. They stay crisp and sweet. When you chop them, make sure they are small. This helps them mix well in the batter. If you want a tart bite, you can try Granny Smith apples. They add a nice contrast to the sweetness. Frying at the right temperature is key. Heat your oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer for accuracy. If it’s too hot, the donuts will burn. If it’s too cool, they’ll soak up oil and become greasy. A good test is to drop a small piece of dough into the oil. If it bubbles and rises, you’re ready to fry! To keep your donuts light and fluffy, don’t overcrowd the frying pan. Fry only 3-4 donuts at a time. This helps maintain the oil temperature. After frying, use a slotted spoon to transfer donuts to a paper towel-lined plate. This drains excess oil. Roll them in cinnamon sugar while still warm for the best flavor. Pro Tips Use Fresh Apples: For the best flavor and texture, opt for fresh, crisp apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp. Their sweetness and juiciness will enhance your donuts. Monitor Oil Temperature: Keeping the oil at a consistent 350°F (175°C) is crucial for even cooking. Use a thermometer to ensure the temperature stays steady while frying. Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough donuts, so be gentle! Coat While Warm: For the best cinnamon sugar coating, roll the donuts in the mixture while they’re still warm. This allows the sugar to adhere better for a delightful finish. {{image_2}} You can choose to bake or fry your donuts. Fried donuts are crisp outside and soft inside. They soak up the cinnamon sugar well. Baked donuts are lighter and healthier. They use less oil and still taste great. If you want easy cleanup, baking is best. Use a donut pan for baked donuts. The result will still be fluffy and delicious. Want to mix things up? You can add spices or nuts for extra flavor. Try nutmeg for warmth or ginger for a kick. Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans add crunch and taste. Just fold them into the batter before frying or baking. It gives your donuts a fun twist and makes them unique. Donuts can change with the seasons. In fall, add pumpkin puree to the batter for pumpkin spice donuts. You can also spice it with nutmeg and allspice. If you love maple, swap some sugar for maple syrup. This gives a sweet, rich flavor that is perfect for autumn. Experiment with flavors to match the season, and enjoy the fun of creating new tastes! Store leftover donuts in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh. If you have many, stack them with parchment paper in between. This helps stop them from sticking together. Keep the container at room temperature for up to two days. After that, the donuts may get dry or hard. To reheat donuts, use your oven or microwave. For the oven, preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place the donuts on a baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This warms them up and keeps them nice. If using a microwave, heat each donut for about 10-15 seconds. Just be careful not to overheat. This can make the donuts tough. You can freeze donuts for up to three months. To do this, let them cool completely. Wrap each donut in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. Make sure to squeeze out air before sealing. When you're ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Reheat them using the tips above for the best taste. Yes, you can prepare the dough a day before. Just cover it and refrigerate it. When you are ready, fry the donuts fresh. They taste best when warm. You can use applesauce or mashed banana. Use 1/4 cup of either for each egg. This keeps the donuts moist and adds flavor. To reduce sweetness, cut back on the sugar in the dough. Use 1/4 cup instead of 1/2 cup. You can also reduce the cinnamon sugar coating. Yes, you can use a donut maker. Follow the maker’s instructions for batter amount and cooking time. The donuts will be less oily and still taste great. This blog post covered how to make delicious donuts from scratch. We explored ingredients, instructions, and tips. You learned about the best apples to use and how to fry them perfectly. I shared variations, storage info, and answered common questions. Making homemade donuts is fun and easy. Enjoy your baking adventure, and don’t forget to share with friends!

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Donuts

Delicious homemade donuts infused with apple and coated in cinnamon sugar.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 cup whole milk
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup finely chopped apples (preferably Fuji or Honeycrisp)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for coating)
  • as needed vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Whisk well to blend the dry ingredients.
  • In another bowl, mix the whole milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  • Gently fold in the finely chopped apples until evenly distributed in the batter.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or pot to 350°F (175°C). Ensure there is enough oil to submerge the donuts.
  • Using a piping bag or a spoon, carefully drop small portions of the donut batter into the hot oil, frying 3-4 donuts at a time until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes per side).
  • Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked donuts to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar and ground cinnamon for the coating.
  • While still warm, roll each donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
  • Allow the donuts to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.

Notes

Serve warm with a drizzle of icing or a side of caramel sauce for dipping. Optionally, garnish with extra apple slices for added flavor and decoration.
Keyword apple, cinnamon, dessert, donuts