Description

Delight in these moist and flavorful Apple Cinnamon Donuts, perfectly spiced with cinnamon and studded with fresh diced apples. Baked to a light golden finish, these homemade donuts are a healthier alternative to fried varieties, using cake flour and almond milk for a tender crumb and subtle sweetness.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1/2 cup Cake Flour
2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Egg
1/3 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

Add-ins & Topping

1/2 cup Diced Apple
1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar (for topping)
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (for topping)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). Lightly spray your donut pan with non-stick spray to ensure easy removal of the donuts.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening and spice.
Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar, egg, and unsweetened almond milk. Mix thoroughly until you have a smooth batter without lumps.
Fold in Apples: Gently incorporate the diced apple pieces into the batter, ensuring they’re evenly dispersed but without overmixing to maintain lightness.
Fill Donut Pan and Add Topping: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity evenly. In a small bag, combine the 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, then sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture over the donuts for a sweet, spicy crust.
Bake the Donuts: Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Serve and Enjoy: Allow the donuts to cool slightly before removing them from the pan. These apple cinnamon donuts are best enjoyed fresh and warm.

Notes

Using cake flour ensures a tender, soft texture for the donuts.
Apple cider vinegar reacts with baking powder to help the donuts rise and adds a subtle tanginess.
Diced apples can be peeled or unpeeled based on preference; leaving the peel adds texture and nutrients.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free cake flour.
Donuts are best eaten within a day or two but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
For a dairy version, substitute almond milk with regular milk.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple cinnamon donuts, baked donuts, healthy donuts, cinnamon sugar, apple recipes, gluten free donuts, breakfast donuts