Apple Crumb Donuts
These apple crumb donuts are packed full of fresh apples and fall spices, and topped with an easy streusel topping and dusting of powdered sugar. They come together in less than 30 minutes thanks to the fabulous Cuisinart Core Custom Food Processor.
Apples are probably my favorite fall time baking ingredient. I love that they have a subtle flavor but they still bring you all the warm and cozy fall vibes. Also donuts scream fall so I just had to bring you guys a new donut recipe this year.
If you missed last month, we have new brioche donuts up with bavarian cream filling. Last year we made THE BEST baked apple cider donuts and let’s not forget the apple cider donut cake we made before that.
Why you’ll love these apple crumb donuts
- Packed full of fresh apples and spices
- SUPER quick and easy to make (I know I say that a lot but I’m honest when they’re not simple recipes haha)
- The crunchy streusel topping, obviously.
- Donuts count as breakfast too right?! Yeah, they’re basically an apple coffee cake donut.
Ingredients
- Apples: I used 3 large apples that weighed about 350 grams AFTER peeling and coring.
- Peel, core and slice your apples and then use the Cuisinart Custom Core Food Processor to grind the apples up until they look like they were grated.
- Flour: I use all purpose flour in most of my recipes and I HIGHLY recommend using a digital scale, as flour is so often over measured.
- Baking Powder and Soda: We’re going to need both here to balance some of the acidity from the apples and brown sugar.
- Sugar: I used just dark brown sugar. Light brown sugar and granulated sugar will also work in this recipe but expect the color change.
- Butter: I like salted butter but unsalted butter works fine too. I would increase the salt by ¼ tsp if using unsalted butter.
- Eggs: use room temperature, large eggs.
- Pop them in hot water for a few minutes if they’re cold.
- Spices: for apple recipes, I generally just do cinnamon and a little bit of nutmeg.
How to make apple crumb donuts
Step 1: Make the streusel by blending the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter in the Cuisinart Custom Core Food Processor. Remove the streusel from the bowl of the food processor and set aside.
Step 2: Peel, core and slice apples: I like to use an apple spiralizer to make this super quick and easy.
Step 3: Grind the apples in the Cuisinart Custom Core Food Processor until they look like they were grated.
Step 4: Combine the melted butter with the sugar, then add the eggs and the apples. Whisk until they’re well combined.
Step 5: Add in the dry ingredients, folding just until the last streak of flour is combined.
Step 6: Pipe the batter into greased donut molds. If you only have one pan with 6 molds, you can just do one pan at a time and wait for those to finish.
Step 7: Top the batter with the streusel and bake for 10-12 minutes.
Step 8: Dust with powdered sugar and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of apples should I use
I find that most apples work well in desserts except golden apples (those are too mushy). My favorites are honey crisp, fuji or gala apples.
Do I have to peel the apples?
You don’t HAVE to peel the apples but I do since it’s easy with an apple spiralizer. Make sure to grind up the apples well with the Cuisinart Custom Core Food Processor if you don’t peel the apples.
Can I make these dairy free?
Yup! Just swap the butter for dairy free butter.
Can I make these gluten-free?
I have not tested this recipe specifically but all of my cake recipes work with a 1:1 substitute of gluten-free flour so I don’t see why this wouldn’t work. I recommend King Arthur or Bob’s Red Mill.
How to store apple crumb donuts
These apple crumb donuts store well at room temperature for 3-4 days. It’s best to keep them covered so they keep their moisture.
How to freeze donuts
Bakes stay way more fresh when they’re frozen. You can place them tightly in an airtight container or you can wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap. Then place them in a freezer bag so you can easily remove one at a time.
Freeze for up to a couple of months. Bring back to room temperature before serving.
Thanks so much for reading today’s post, if you have any questions just comment down below. Make sure to leave it in the comment section because I can’t answer in the rating section :).
If you make this apple crumb donut recipe I would love to see it so make sure to tag me @baranbakery on instagram!
If you loved this recipe, make sure to leave me a star rating below as well 🙂
As always, have a blessed day and happy baking!
Love, B
Apple Crumb Donuts Recipe
These apple crumb donuts are packed full of fresh apples and fall spices, and topped with an easy streusel topping and dusting of powdered sugar. They come together in less than 30 minutes thanks to the fabulous Cuisinart Core Custom Food Processor.
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1/3 cup (70g) light or dark brown sugar lightly packed
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (56g) salted butter melted
Apple Donuts
- 1 1/2 cups (350g/3 medium/2 large apples) shredded apples tightly packed
- 1/2 cup (113g) salted butter melted
- 1 cup (200g) light or dark brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups (270g) all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
Streusel Topping
- Preheat the oven to 350F/177C convection (325F/163C conventional) and grease 18 donut molds (if you only have one pan with 6 molds, you can do one pan at a time too).
- Place the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in the bowl of the Cuisinart Custom Core Food Processor. Pulse until they’re evenly distributed.1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup (70g) light or dark brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Add the melted butter and pulse again until the butter is roughly blended in and the streusel has formed pea-sized chunks. Remove the streusel from the food processor bowl and set aside.1/4 cup (56g) salted butter
Apple Donuts
- Peel and slice apples and place them in the bowl of the Cuisinart Custom Core Food Processor. Turn the food processor up to high and allow it to shred the apples. The apples should resemble a large box grated texture.1 1/2 cups (350g/3 medium/2 large apples) shredded apples
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter with the brown sugar until they’re well combined.1/2 cup (113g) salted butter, 1 cup (200g) light or dark brown sugar
- Add in the egg and vanilla and whisk aggressively for 1 minute until the mixture is smooth and has slightly lightened in color.1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Add in the shredded apples and whisk until they’re well combined.
- Fold in the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt just until they’re combined.2 1/4 cups (270g) all-purpose flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- Use a piping bag to pipe out the batter into the donut molds about 2/3 full. Top with streusel and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow them to cool in the pan for a couple of minutes and then invert onto a cooling rack.
- Once they've cooled, dust with powdered sugar and serve.powdered sugar for dusting
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 118mgFiber: 2gSugar: 17g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
An accompanied instagram reel was sponsored by Cuisinart. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks so much for supporting the brands that make Baran Bakery possible.
These Apple Crumb Donuts look absolutely amazing! The combination of warm spices with the crumbly topping is making my mouth water. I can’t wait to try this recipe for myself—thanks for sharing!
Hi,
Could you make this as a cake instead? Perhaps in a 9 inch square pan?
Thanks!
Hi Cassandra, I have not tried it so I can’t say for sure but if I get a chance, I will try it and report back. If you try it, lmk!