This hand-crafted Apple Donut recipe features a light, tender donut stuffed with cinnamon apple pie filling and coated with cinnamon sugar. Have the benefit of them for breakfast or dessert – they’re the suitable cozy fall take care of!

Close-up of a group of Apple Donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar.

🍎 Unbelievable apple donuts – a must-try recipe!

For many who’re looking out for a sweet take care of to rejoice the autumn season, look no further than these hand-crafted apple doughnuts! Their melt-in-your-mouth inside, spiced apple filling, and crispy cinnamon-sugar coating make them fully irresistible. One model and in addition you’ll see why these donuts are the suitable strategy to usher in autumn.

Listed below are only some the reason why you’ll love them:

  • They’ve the good doughnut texture – light and pillowy on the inside, and golden brown and crisp on the pores and skin. Proofing the dough twice permits it to rise to ethereal perfection, creating a light-weight and fluffy inside supreme for absorbing the apple filling. Speaking of…
  • The decadent filling, constructed from latest apples, brown sugar, apple cider, and cinnamon, presents you a method of apple pie in every chew.
  • Lastly, a ending roll in cinnamon sugar presents these doughnuts a sweet, crunchy coating that brings the whole thing collectively.

Have the benefit of these donuts for breakfast served with espresso, tea or milk, or have them as an after dinner take care of. Regardless of whereas you choose to indulge, you’ll love the snug cinnamon-apple model that seems like autumn in every chew.

For many who merely can’t get ample apple doughnuts, try our Apple Fritters subsequent! Then revenue from apple season with our Salted Caramel Apple Pear Pie, Puff Pastry Apple Roses, and Mile Extreme Apple Pie.

Two Apple Donuts stacked on top of each other, with a bite taken out of the top donut.

Desk of Contents

🧾 What You’ll Need

Components

There are two principal parts to these donuts: the dough, and the apple-cinnamon filling. A lot of the parts are pantry necessities, nonetheless listed below are only a few ideas to recollect as you acquire your offers. (Hyperlinks are affiliate hyperlinks and I earn a small payment from qualifying purchases.)

  • Apple cider: If potential advocate using latest apple cider on this recipe. Apple cider is constructed from pressed latest apples, and has a rather a lot stronger, further vibrant and wise style than apple juice. Nonetheless, it could be arduous to go looking out exterior of autumn months, so for individuals who can’t provide any, you’ll substitute apple juice in its place.
  • Milk: Full milk will offer you most likely probably the most tender dough, nonetheless any fat proportion will work. I’ve solely examined this recipe with dairy milk, so cannot advise on non-dairy choices.
  • Sugar: This recipe makes use of every granulated sugar and brown sugar. Granulated sugar is used inside the dough and outer coating, whereas brown sugar presents a deeper style to the apple filling. You must use darkish or light brown sugar.
  • Yeast: This recipe requires energetic dry yeast. I make the most of and advocate Bob’s Crimson Mill Yeast or Crimson Star Yeast. You can purchase yeast in bulk or in pre-measured packets. For many who select to utilize the premeasured packets, please consider that each packet contains 2 1/4 tsp. This recipe desires 3 1/2 tsp of yeast so you will use roughly 1.5 packets. In case you’re newer to working with yeast, you should definitely be taught my yeast ideas beneath sooner than beginning.
  • Eggs: This recipe makes use of two full eggs and a pair of egg yolks, to make a supremely tender donuts. Proper right here’s my full info to separating egg yolks and whites for individuals who desire a refresher, and don’t overlook to keep away from losing the egg whites for a future batch of meringue cookies or buttercream!
  • Flour: “Widespread” flour, aka all-purpose, is what you’ll need. I prefer to suggest weighing the flour (and your total parts!) for a further appropriate consequence, nonetheless you might also spoon it into the measuring cup and gently diploma it off.
  • Spices & salt: Ground cinnamon is a MUST on this recipe! The recipe moreover requires ground nutmeg and cloves, which I really feel rounds out the spice profile correctly. Nonetheless you’ll swap in several spices, like cardamom or allspice, if that’s what you might have available. It’s a flexible recipe, so regardless of warmth baking spices you have the benefit of must work properly.
  • Butter: Your butter must be at room temperature to make this recipe. This suggests it’s pliable nonetheless barely cool–you don’t want it to be greasy and melty. I on a regular basis advocate unsalted butter in baking, so you’ll administration the precise amount of salt. For many who solely have salted butter, use that nonetheless omit the additional salt inside the recipe.
  • Apples: Seek for company apples that keep their type when cooked. I’ve used SweeTango, Gala, and Honeycrisp with good success. I favor a sweeter apple on this recipe, nonetheless for individuals who like tart apples, Granny Smith may also be a wide variety.
  • Cornstarch: Corn starch is used to thicken the filling. It’s possible you’ll substitute arrowroot starch for individuals who favor, nonetheless don’t skip it altogether — some type of starch must be used to get the suitable texture.
  • Frying oil: You must use canola or vegetable oil for frying the donuts.
Close-up of a group of Apple Donuts on a marble surface.

Instruments

Making hand-crafted donuts is rather a lot easier in case you’ve got the acceptable devices! Proper right here’s what I prefer to suggest:

  • Thermometer: For many who’re going to be deep frying, an appropriate thermometer is a MUST. You don’t have to put our a fortune on one, though — a elementary thermometer like this is good. A thermometer helps you monitor the temperature of the frying oil, so that you simply’ll have worthwhile donuts every time. In case you’re new to using a thermometer, attempt my guides for  use a thermometer and  check out and calibrate a thermometer appropriately.
  • Slotted spoon: Lifting freshly fried donuts from scorching oil shall be robust nonetheless a slotted spoon will forestall numerous bother — it’d most likely accommodate the doughnut’s measurement and permits further oil to drip off.
  • Cooling rack: You’ll want to use a cooling rack of some kind so that the excess oil can drip off of the donuts whereas they cool. I I truly like using a wire cooling rack.
  • Stock pot:I want to fry donuts in a large stock pot. I can usually fry 2-3 doughnuts at a time.
  • Medium saucepan: You’ll desire a medium sized saucepan to rearrange the filling.
  • Mixer: It’s a must to some type of mixer to make the dough for these donuts. I extraordinarily advocate using a stand mixer for this recipe.
  • Cutter: Sharp circle cutters are probably the greatest for making donuts. I make the most of and advocate this versatile set of spherical cutters. I make the most of it for donuts, cookies, tart dough, and further.
  • Piping bag: I like these disposable piping baggage (I wash them and re-use them to reduce waste!). You’ll be able to too use a gallon-size zip-top bag with a niche scale back inside the nook.
  • Rolling pin: I like and advocate this French-style rolling pin.

📋 Instructions

Proper right here’s an abstract of make Apple Donuts! Full instructions are included inside the recipe card down beneath.

Four photo collage showing how to make homemade donut dough for Apple-Filled Donuts.

Make the dough

  1. Combine warmth apple cider, milk, a bit of little bit of sugar, and the yeast inside the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk them collectively, then let the yeast sit and proof for 5 minutes – it must look frothy and a bit bubbly. IMPORTANT: if after 5 minutes it seems exactly the similar as a result of it did sooner than, don’t proceed – it means your yeast is lifeless, and your dough obtained’t rise! Study our yeast troubleshooting ideas, and when uncertain, buy new yeast so that you acknowledge it’s latest.
  2. Mix inside the remaining sugar, eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla.
  3. Swap the mixer attachment for a dough hook. Add the flour, salt, and spices, and knead until the dough begins to come back again collectively.
  4. Add the softened butter and knead for a further 5 minutes inside the mixer. The dough is likely to be sticky at this degree.
Four photo collage showing how to proof and roll out homemade doughnut dough.
  1. After 5 minutes of kneading inside the mixer, take away the bowl from the mixer and cover it.
  2. Let the dough rise for about an hour, until it’s doubled in measurement.
  3. Flip the dough out onto a floured ground, and roll it out to ½” thickness.
  4. Decrease 3-inch circles of dough, and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets. It’s possible you’ll re-roll the scraps to make further doughnuts, nonetheless use a light-weight hand so your dough doesn’t develop into highly effective. Let the scale back doughnuts rise for about 45 minutes, until they’ve doubled in measurement.
Two photo collage showing how to make apple cinnamon donut filling.

Make the apple pie filling

  • Whereas the doughnuts are going by means of their second rise, put collectively the apple filling. Combine diced apples, brown and granulated sugars, butter, cinnamon, lemon juice, apple cider, and salt, and stir until the apples are coated.
  • Prepare dinner dinner in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, until the apples have softened. Add the cornstarch and put together dinner for an extra 3 minutes, until the mix thickens. Take away from the heat and let cool. 
Four photo collage showing how to fry, stuff, and finish Apple-Filled Donuts.

Fry and fill the donuts

  1. As quickly because the donuts have doubled in measurement, get in a position to fry! Fill a pot with 2-3 inches of oil, and heat it to 375°F. (Maintain the thermometer inside the pot so you’ll monitor the temperature, and regulate the burner so it maintains 375°F.)
  2. Place 2-3 donuts into the oil. Fry for about 1.5-2 minutes on either side, until golden brown. Set them on a wire rack to empty.
  3. Whereas the donuts are nonetheless warmth, insert a piping bag stuffed with apple pie filling, and fill the center of the donuts.
  4. As quickly as all are stuffed, roll them in cinnamon sugar, and serve!
Three Apple Donuts stacked on top of each other on a marble surface.

💭 Variations

Apple donuts are endlessly customizable, so get inventive with fully totally different flavors and textures! Listed below are some ideas to get you started:

  • Use a premade pie filling like cherry or mixed berry. You could possibly presumably moreover use your favorite jam, pudding, or pastry cream.
  • Excessive the donuts with a glaze, streusel, crumble, or just powdered sugar as a substitute of cinnamon sugar.
  • Add chopped toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts to the apple filling.
  • Serve with a dollop of latest whipped cream or ice cream.
  • Experiment with totally different extracts together with or as a substitute of vanilla. Almond extract might be notably good with apples and cinnamon!
Close-up of Apple Donut on a gray plate with a bite taken out of it.

💡 Yeast Troubleshooting 

For many who’re newer to working with yeast, or just want to you should definitely avoid any pitfalls, observe these troubleshooting ideas:

  • Use energetic dry yeast: it’s further reliable and easier to utilize than cake or latest yeast. In case you’re comfortable working with yeast and want to substitute quick rise yeast you’ll, nonetheless it’s a must to to make modifications to the rising course of following the bundle directions. Check the expiration date and retailer yeast in an airtight container inside the fridge.
  • Verify your yeast: in case your yeast has been saved for awhile, check out it sooner than using it. Mix a small amount of yeast with a small amount of warmth water (110°F is sweet) and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. If it doesn’t foam, the yeast will not be energetic and have to be modified.
  • Get the liquid temp correct: it is very important that the apple cider & milk are the suitable temperature to verify the dough rises appropriately. If the liquids are too scorching it could kill the yeast. In the event that they’re too chilly, the yeast obtained’t activate and the dough obtained’t appropriately rise. The most effective temperature is between 105°-110° F. Use a thermometer to test the temperature.
  • Let it rise in a warmth place: by means of the rise, protect the dough in a warmth (not scorching) spot spherical 80-85°F. Near the oven or in an oven with merely the sunshine on works properly. Yeast dough must roughly double in measurement after the first rise. If it doesn’t rise sufficiently, the yeast might need further time or your kitchen is also too chilly. The rise cases are concepts, nonetheless must be adjusted relying in your kitchen’s setting.
A group of Apple Donuts on a marble surface with a cup of coffee in the background.

🍩 Donut FAQs  

Apple Donut on a gray plate with a bite taken out of it, with more donuts in the background.

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2 Pumpkin Cream Filled Donuts on a small gray plate with one leaning against the other and a bite removed from one to show the pumpkin filling.

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Depart a Consider!

For many who make this recipe, inform us! Depart a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on the recipe beneath, and go away a comment, take {a photograph} and tag me on Instagram @elabau, or use #sugarhero on IG!

For the Dough:

  • 6 fl oz apple cider, (¾ cup), warmed to 105-110° F
  • 2.67 fl oz milk, (⅓ cup), warmth, can use warmth water as a substitute of milk, warmed to 105-110° F.
  • 3.2 oz granulated sugar, (2 TBSP + ⅓ cup), divided use
  • 3 ½ tsp energetic dry yeast, (roughly 1.5 packets)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 17 oz all-purpose flour, (4 cups)
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • 4 oz unsalted butter, (½ cup), room temperature
  • Oil, for frying, I prefer to make use of canola or vegetable oil

To Make the Donuts:

  • Inside the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine warmth apple cider, warmth milk, 2 TBSP granulated sugar, and yeast. Whisk on low tempo until merely included.

  • Let the yeast mixture rest for 5 minutes, until frothy. Needed: if after 5 minutes it seems exactly the similar as a result of it did sooner than, don’t proceed – it means your yeast is lifeless, and your dough is not going to rise! Try as soon as extra, taking care to get the liquid temperature correct, and when uncertain, buy new yeast so that you acknowledge it’s latest.

  • As quickly because the proofing time is up, add the remaining 2.33 oz (⅓ cup) granulated sugar, eggs, egg yolks and vanilla. Mix to combine.

  • Swap the whisk attachment for a dough hook. Add the flour, then on excessive of the flour add cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and cloves. Knead until the dough begins to come back again collectively.

  • Add the unsalted butter and knead for an extra 5 minutes. The dough is likely to be sticky at this degree. Take away the bowl from the stand mixer and cover properly. Let rise for 1 hour.

  • As quickly because the dough has risen, line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Flip the dough out onto a transparent, floured ground. Roll the dough out to ½” thickness, then use a 3” spherical cookie cutter to cut out donuts until the entire dough has been used. You might need to reroll the dough a pair cases to utilize all of it up, merely guarantee to not overwork the dough.

  • As quickly as the whole dough has been used, place the scale back donuts onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheets with not lower than ½” between them. Let rise for 45 minutes, or until doubled in measurement. Whereas the donuts are rising, make the filling.

To Make the Filling:

  • In a giant mixing bowl combine diced apples, brown sugar, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, apple cider and salt. Mix until the apples are coated.

  • Change the mix proper right into a medium sized saucepan and place on the vary over medium-low heat. Prepare dinner dinner down for 10 minutes, then add inside the cornstarch and put together dinner for an extra 3 minutes, until the mix thickens. Take away from the heat and let cool.

To Prepare dinner dinner & Assemble the Donuts:

  • Within the path of the highest of the rise time for the scale back doughnuts, preheat 3” of oil in a giant stockpot to 375°F. Fill a piping bag fitted with a spherical tip with the apple filling mixture and put apart. Get out a wire cooling rack and place paper towels beneath it.

  • When the donuts have accomplished rising and the oil is heated, place 2-3 donuts into the oil. Fry for 1 ½ – 2 minutes, then flip and fry for an extra 1 ½ – 2 minutes, or until golden brown. Fastidiously take away the donuts from the oil with a slotted spoon and place onto the cooling rack. Layer further paper towels as wished to assemble further oil.

  • Repeat the frying course of with the remaining donuts. Make sure you monitor the oil temperature and regulate the burner if important, to maintain up it at 375 F.

  • Whereas the donuts are nonetheless warmth, place the piping tip into the side of a donuts and fill until the piping tip is pushed once more. (This step shall be completed in between frying batches of donuts. If the donuts aren’t warmth whilst you fill them, then you definitely’ll have to scale back a small hole inside the side of the donuts for the piping tip.). Repeat until the whole donuts are stuffed.

  • Roll each stuffed donuts into the topping mixture, then serve immediately.

  • Donuts model most interesting when eaten latest, nonetheless is also saved in an airtight container for as a lot as 2 days. They’re usually reheated inside the microwave for 10 seconds to revive freshness.

The oil used to fry the donuts was not considered when creating the vitamin data for this recipe.

Our recipes are developed using weight measurements, and we extraordinarily advocate using a kitchen scale for baking each time potential. Nonetheless, for individuals who favor to utilize cups, amount measurements are provided as properly. PLEASE NOTE: the adage “8 oz = 1 cup” is NOT true when speaking about weight, so don’t be concerned if the measurements don’t match this formulation.

Want to be taught further about baking measurements and conversion?

Serving: 1doughnut | Vitality: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Ldl ldl cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 241IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

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