Go Back
- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup finely grated apple (approximately 1 large apple) - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed - 1/2 cup granulated sugar The dough forms the base of our donuts. All-purpose flour gives the right texture. Grated apple adds moisture and sweetness. Using both brown and granulated sugar gives a rich flavor. - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg These baking essentials help the donuts rise and taste great. Baking powder and baking soda work together for fluffy donuts. Salt enhances sweetness while spices add warmth and depth. - 1/2 cup buttermilk (room temperature) - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled - 2 large eggs (room temperature) - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract The wet ingredients mix to create a moist batter. Buttermilk adds tang and richness. Melted butter gives flavor and keeps them soft. Eggs bind everything together while vanilla brings a lovely scent. - 1 cup powdered sugar - 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup - 1-2 tablespoons milk (to adjust glaze thickness) The maple glaze is the star of the show. Powdered sugar mixes smoothly for a sweet finish. Pure maple syrup provides a rich, natural flavor. Adjusting with milk helps achieve your preferred thickness. {{ingredient_image_2}} - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your donut pan with cooking spray or butter. This step keeps the donuts from sticking. - In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Add 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Whisk until no lumps are left. - In another bowl, prepare your wet mixture. Combine 1 cup of finely grated apple, 1/2 cup of buttermilk, 1/4 cup of melted butter, 2 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. - Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Use a spatula or wooden spoon. Be careful not to overmix; it’s okay if the batter has a few lumps. - Using a piping bag or spoon, fill each donut cavity about 2/3 full with batter. This allows space for rising. - Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into a donut. If it comes out clean, they are ready. - While the donuts cool, prepare the maple glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, and 1-2 tablespoons of milk. Stir until smooth and adjust thickness as needed. - Once the donuts are cool, dip the tops into the glaze. Let any excess glaze drip back into the bowl. Allow the glazed donuts to rest for a few minutes to set before serving. To make the best donuts, avoid overmixing the batter. Mix just enough until you see no dry flour. A few lumps are okay. This helps keep your donuts light and fluffy. Once baked, let the donuts cool in the pan for five minutes. This makes it easier to remove them without breaking. After that, transfer them to a wire rack. Cooling completely on the rack helps the glaze stick better. Want to spice things up? Try adding a pinch of cloves or ginger to the batter. These spices can add warmth and depth. For toppings, consider using chopped nuts or sprinkles. They add texture and a fun look. A sprinkle of cinnamon on top also elevates the flavor. For a beautiful presentation, arrange the glazed donuts on a nice platter. Add a light dusting of cinnamon for a pop of color. You can also place thin apple slices around the donuts for a fresh touch. Pair these delightful donuts with coffee or apple cider. They make a perfect breakfast or snack. Enjoying them with a friend makes them even better! Pro Tips Use Fresh Apples: For the best flavor, opt for fresh, crisp apples. Varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work wonderfully in this recipe. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your buttermilk and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better rise. Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined to keep the donuts light and fluffy. A few lumps are perfectly fine! Adjust Glaze Thickness: Customize the maple glaze to your liking by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker consistency. {{image_4}} You can make your maple glazed apple donuts even better! Try adding nuts or chocolate chips. Nuts like walnuts or pecans give a nice crunch. They also add a rich flavor. Chocolate chips bring a sweet touch. They melt slightly when baked, making every bite a treat. You can also mix in other fruits. Blueberries or cranberries work well. These fruits add a tart balance to the sweet glaze. Experimenting with flavors keeps things fun! If you want a healthier donut, use whole wheat flour. This flour adds fiber and nutrients. It makes the donuts denser but still tasty. You can also reduce the sugar. Try using half the amount or swapping it for a sweetener like honey or maple syrup. This way, you keep the flavor without too much sugar. Want a fun twist? Make mini donuts! Just use a mini donut pan. These little treats are perfect for snacks or parties. Adjust the baking time to about 7-9 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick. They should come out clean when done. Mini donuts are easy to share and eat on the go! To keep your leftover donuts fresh, store them in an airtight container. You can stack them with parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking. This keeps the glaze intact and the donuts soft. Keep the container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want them to last longer, think about refrigeration. Just remember that cold storage may change the texture. For long-term storage, you can freeze the donuts. First, let them cool completely. Wrap each donut tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. This keeps air out and prevents freezer burn. They can stay in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw them at room temperature. For best taste, warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes. This helps restore their soft texture and flavor. Enjoy your treats like they're fresh out of the oven! You can still make great donuts without a donut pan. Use a muffin tin instead. Fill the cups about halfway with the batter. Bake them for the same time. They will turn out like donut muffins. You can also shape the donuts by hand. Roll the dough into balls and make a hole in the middle. Then, bake them on a lined sheet pan. Both methods work well and taste delicious! Yes, you can use store-bought applesauce instead of grated apple. It makes the donuts moist and sweet. However, there are some cons. The texture may change. Grated apple gives a nice bite and freshness. Applesauce can make them softer and less chunky. If you like a smooth texture, use applesauce. If you want more apple bits, stick to grated apple. These donuts stay fresh for about 2 to 3 days at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container to keep them soft. If you see any mold or off smell, throw them away. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Just wrap each donut well and place them in a freezer bag. When ready to eat, thaw them at room temperature for the best taste. Making donuts at home is simple and fun. We covered the main ingredients like flour, sugars, and spices. Then, we walked through each step from mixing to glazing. I shared tips for perfecting texture and enhancing flavors. You can also try healthier options or mini versions. Proper storage keeps your treats fresh. With these insights, you can enjoy delicious donuts any time. Happy baking!

Maple Glazed Apple Donuts

Delicious apple donuts topped with a sweet maple glaze.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely grated apple (approximately 1 large apple)
  • 1 2 brown sugar packed
  • 1 2 granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 2 baking soda
  • 1 2 salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 2 ground nutmeg
  • 1 2 buttermilk (room temperature)
  • 1 4 unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 2 milk (to adjust glaze thickness as needed)

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly greasing a donut pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until thoroughly combined and no lumps remain.
  • In another bowl, combine the finely grated apple, buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated and smooth.
  • Gently pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, fold the mixture together until just combined. Take care not to overmix; it’s perfectly fine if the batter has a few lumps.
  • Using a piping bag or spoon, fill each cavity of the donut pan about 2/3 full with the batter. This allows room for the donuts to rise while baking.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a donut; it should come out clean when ready.
  • After baking, allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Prepare the maple glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, and milk in a small bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and reaches your desired thickness; add more milk if you prefer a thinner consistency.
  • Once the donuts have cooled, dip the tops into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl.
  • Let the glazed donuts rest for a few minutes to allow the glaze to set before serving.

Notes

Arrange the glazed donuts on a decorative serving platter, and sprinkle a light dusting of cinnamon over the top for an elegant touch. For an added visual flair, consider garnishing the plate with thin slices of fresh apple alongside the donuts. Enjoy!
Keyword apple, dessert, donuts, maple glaze