Description
These Apple Cinnamon Baked Doughnuts with Brown Butter Glaze are a delightful twist on classic doughnuts, combining warm spices, grated fresh apple, and a rich brown butter glaze for a soft, flavorful treat perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Doughnuts:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (for browning, use 2 tablespoons for doughnut batter)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup peeled and grated fresh apple
For the Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a doughnut pan and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, ground ginger, and light brown sugar. Set aside.
- Brown the Butter: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt all three tablespoons of unsalted butter. As the butter melts, it will crackle and pop as water evaporates; soon it will stop and start to brown, producing a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and immediately transfer the browned butter, including the brown bits, into a small bowl.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. Measure out 2 tablespoons of the browned butter and whisk it into this wet mixture.
- Make the Batter: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients all at once. Add the grated fresh apple and stir gently until there are no visible flour streaks and the batter is evenly combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the doughnuts tender rather than rubbery.
- Fill the Doughnut Pan: Using a small spoon, dollop the batter into the prepared doughnut pan cavities. Smooth the batter and fill each cavity about three-quarters full.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent overbaking. The doughnuts are done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Doughnuts: Remove the doughnut pan from the oven and allow the doughnuts to cool for a few minutes in the pan. Then invert them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and a pinch of salt. Add 2 tablespoons of the browned butter, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of whole milk. Whisk until smooth, adding additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the glaze reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Glaze the Doughnuts: Once the doughnuts are completely cooled, use a butter knife to spread the brown butter glaze over the top of each doughnut evenly.
- Set the Glaze: Place glazed doughnuts in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to allow the glaze to harden slightly before serving. These doughnuts are best enjoyed the day they are made for optimal freshness and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh grated apple for best flavor and moisture balance in the doughnuts.
- Be careful not to overbake—the doughnuts should be tender and moist.
- Brown the butter slowly and watch it closely to prevent burning and to develop the nutty flavor.
- Make sure doughnuts are completely cool before glazing to prevent glaze from melting.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 1-2 days for best taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 doughnut
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: apple doughnuts, cinnamon doughnuts, baked doughnuts, brown butter glaze, fall recipes, spiced doughnuts
