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Fall is here, which means so is apple season! I love going out to the orchards to pick apples for pies, or baking apples for afternoon snacks. But my new favorite way to cook with apples this year? Using Harry & David Apple Butter in this easy apple donut recipe.
Mixing fresh apples, brown sugar, and fall spices, apple butter is an easy way to take fall baking to a whole new level. It goes great alone on toast, pancakes, or oatmeal, but using it while baking gives a recipe a sweet taste of fall. And what better recipe to spice up this season than homemade donuts?
While making donuts at home may sound difficult, it’s actually very simple. The only special tool you’ll need is a donut pan, which is easy to find. Otherwise, you’ll just need some standard baking ingredients like flour, butter, eggs, and a few fall spices.
READ MORE: The Psychology of Fall Flavors
Besides the apple butter, the ingredients that make these apple donuts such the perfect fall dessert are brown sugar and cinnamon. The finishing touch is rolling the donuts in granulated sugar at the end, for a dusting of extra sweetness.
Bake these up for a family treat or Sunday brunch. Or invite a few close friends over for afternoon snacks and coffee. They’ll last in an airtight container for up to four days, which means you can cook up a batch to enjoy throughout the week. Happy fall!
SERVINGS
- 12 cup salted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg
- 14 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 12 cup dark brown sugar (lightly packed)
- 12 cup Harry & David Apple Butter
- 114 cup flour
- Granulated sugar (for rolling donuts)
- Preheat oven to 350˚
- Spray or butter a donut pan, and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, egg, salt, vanilla extract, baking powder, and cinnamon. Mix well.
- Add dark brown sugar and apple butter, and mix again.
- Add flour, and mix until well incorporated.
- Spoon donut batter into prepared pan, approximately 3 tablespoons per donut.
- Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to rest for a few minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Toss cooled donuts in granulated sugar, and serve. Store in an airtight container for up to four days. Enjoy!
AUTHOR
Heather is the creator, baker, and photographer behind Heather’s Home Bakery. She started baking when her oldest child turned one and she wanted to make his 1st birthday cake. After baking up her first-ever layer cake, she was hooked. From cakes and cookies to scones and muffins to brownies and beyond, she loves developing and sharing delicious dessert recipes that others truly love and love to share.
