No season makes me happier than Fall. Since moving to Montreal, the beautiful Indian summer has been one of my favourite moments of the year. Montreal weather tends to linger on (like our icy cold winters) but the peak of Fall only really last a couple of weeks so you have to learn to really appreciate it while it’s here. Every morning during this time of year I can spot a new tree transitioning from green to a different shade of red, crimson, yellow and orange. There’s something absolutely breathtaking to the vivid colors that nature projects in late September and October. It gets me every time. These are just a couple pictures of the trees this weekend.I suspect that in the next few days the green leaves will have changed their coat for good. There seems to be a whole story that nature is trying to tell us to stop us in our busy lives. It’s all about taking the time to appreciate the beauty of changing cycles. Every year, the same tree starts the transition first. It always seems to me that he’s the real trooper of the bunch, the one that had the courage to lead others and show them the way. Then, slowly, each tree embraces its destiny and one by one, they makeup a vivid canvas of colors. The picture they makeup as a whole is stunning, as is the individuality of each tree, slowly changing at its own pace in time.
Going up to the mountain this weekend with a good cup of coffee and a warm scarf, I enjoyed a moment of peacefulness by the water. There has been quite a lot of business going around these past couple weeks and it’s sometimes nice to take a step back and just enjoy a calm, nature-filled morning. The recipe I bring you today fits those fall days like no other. It uses the fruit in season (deliciously plump apples) and is a healthier twist on the traditional deep-fried donuts. These are baked, best eaten straight out from oven, after they have been tossed in a little cinnamon-sugar.
Oven-Baked Apple Donuts
Makes about 24 mini donunts
Adapted from cooks.com
1/4 cup of lightly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup of white sugar
1 1/2 cups of bite size chunks of apple, peeled and cored
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp nutmeg
1/3 cup of cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 egg
1/4 cup of milk
To Coat:
1/4 cup of butter, melted
1/3 cup of sugar
1 tsp cinnamon powder
Preheat your oven to 350F. Whisk the flour, baking powder, sugars salt and and nutmeg in a bowl. Add the cold chopped butter. Rub the pieces of butter with the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg. Mix in the milk and fold in the chopped apples. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture. Stir using a spatula or spoon making sure not to overmix. Place a spoonful of batter into each mold of a buttered mini muffin pan.
Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the donuts are just golden. Remove from the oven, unmold and lightly brush each donut with the melted butter. Dunk in a bowl with the sugar and cinnamon mixed in. Shake off excess sugar and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Enjoy the read!
Mirtilla
September 27, 2010 at 10:26 am (14 years ago)What a beautiful feeling! Once I visited Canada (Vancouver) and I felt in love, it’s a very beautiful contry, with its mountains which fall down to the ocean… and the colours of the landscape in October… it was like dreming! What a beautiful memories you made me think! And i like so much these donuts!They are delicious! Kisses ps: Sorry for my english, it is not very good! ^-^
DessertForTwo
September 27, 2010 at 11:06 am (14 years ago)Wow-these look delicious! And they’re baked not fried? Count me in! Thanks for sharing-I can’t wait to make them!
Katie
September 27, 2010 at 11:24 am (14 years ago)Wow these look like little bites of apple heaven! I love this time of year when you can see so much growing and ripening on trees and bushes
Shirley @ Kokken69
September 27, 2010 at 11:42 am (14 years ago)Bookmarked! Any baked donuts that look as good as these needs to get special attention!
vanillasugar
September 27, 2010 at 11:48 am (14 years ago)nothing like the first apple donut of fall.
and yes, one does need to step back every now and again and enjoy the colors, changing smells of the air of the fall season. our leaves haven’t started to turn just yet….i hope soon though.
your donuts are just to die for, as always
lara dunston
September 27, 2010 at 12:12 pm (14 years ago)Just discovered you! Loving your blog!
Do check out our food blogging contest on my blog Grantourismo – I think you’ll like it – just 5 days left to enter though!
All you need to do is post (to your own site) on a quintessential dish of a place.
We’ve got some great prizes including a holiday rental stay anywhere in the world, Olympus camera, tours with Context and Viator, private guide to take you on your own personal foodie tour with Our Explorer, and an Afar magazine subscription.
Hope to see you entry, and if not, nice to read you anyway!
best,
Lara
Prerna@IndianSimmer
September 27, 2010 at 12:38 pm (14 years ago)I’m SO loving you right now. I love doughnuts but since I was not brought up eating/making them I didn’t know how to make them without actually frying and still not loosing the taste. I bookmarking this one and going to try it out. Would let you know if it turns out great.
Jennifurla
September 27, 2010 at 2:27 pm (14 years ago)Holy wow, how wonderful these look! Love the duck photo too.
Torviewtoronto
September 27, 2010 at 2:59 pm (14 years ago)looks delicious lovely pictures
Asha @ FSK
September 27, 2010 at 4:10 pm (14 years ago)Woohoo!! thanks for this recipe. I have an abundance of apples and need new ideas to use them!
Chanel11
September 27, 2010 at 8:06 pm (14 years ago)These donuts are the perfect way to evoke Autumn when you miss it
Megan
September 27, 2010 at 8:38 pm (14 years ago)I made fried apple doughnuts a few times last year and am already dying to make them again this year. These look like a healthy alternative… and I may try them if I can break the frying habit!
Miss Meat and Potatoes
September 27, 2010 at 11:05 pm (14 years ago)Okay. I’m officially mad at you. Between the picture and your utterly spot on, delightful summary of the feeling of fall I feel like I HAVE to make and eat every single last one of these. Again – I blame you…
mexiroccan
September 27, 2010 at 11:55 pm (14 years ago)Made these today… It’s been raining non-stop down here because of a series of tropical storms. They were perfect for the chilly weather 🙂 THANK YOU!
Stephanie Savors the Moment
September 28, 2010 at 12:06 am (14 years ago)What gorgeous and inspiring Fall photos! Those donuts look crazy delicious and what’s not to love about the oven-baking part?! I bet they smelled amazing while baking too. Thanks for sharing – Cheers!
Taz
September 28, 2010 at 5:10 am (14 years ago)oh my, these look delicious! I’ve never had apple doughnuts before – but there’s a first time for everything!
Maria
September 28, 2010 at 11:28 am (14 years ago)Lovely photos! I love fall and these donuts are the perfect fall treat.
Kate Morgan Jackson
September 28, 2010 at 7:43 pm (14 years ago)That’s it – I’m coming over. Save me some apple donuts!
Morgan Friedman
September 28, 2010 at 8:35 pm (14 years ago)These look amazing! I can’t wait to try them. Thanks for all the great recipes!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction
September 28, 2010 at 10:37 pm (14 years ago)These look incredible! I love that they are baked and not fried!
Suzanne
September 29, 2010 at 11:27 am (14 years ago)Those little donuts look like a little piece of heaven! Your photos of fall are beautiful, you have a lovely blog. Thanks for stopping by my blog and the nice compliment too.
Reds
September 29, 2010 at 12:07 pm (14 years ago)Oh my these look good!! Gotta try them soon! And thanks for the comment on my blog! 🙂
smalltownoven
September 29, 2010 at 2:15 pm (14 years ago)I think I’ll have to make these this weekend they looks so scrumptious and aren’t fried! Perfect for the fall weather.
lostpastremembered
September 29, 2010 at 2:52 pm (14 years ago)I love the idea of baking them instead of the oil bath… these are just perfect and just in time for fall… lovely!
Grace
September 30, 2010 at 2:10 pm (14 years ago)I love Montreal, especially this time of year. My husband and I used to visit every September for usually 3-4 days, it was our alone time without the kids. We would take a caleche ride around the city and enjoy all the city had to offer, beautiful.
I’ve never made oven baked donuts, this look so delicious I think I will try them over the weekend, my son is going to love them.
Marcy@JustCrumbs...
October 3, 2010 at 8:42 pm (14 years ago)Mmmm! I have been wanting to make doughnuts for a few weeks now. Especially oven baked doughnuts. Thank you for this post.
Petra (Zoom Yummy)
October 4, 2010 at 1:20 pm (14 years ago)Yum! Those look irresistible! Love the pic. 🙂 Petra
Heavenly Housewife
October 5, 2010 at 9:35 am (14 years ago)I’ve got loads of apples from my apple trees this year and am looking for cool recipes to use some of them up (a girl can only eat so much applesauce). This looks fantastic.
*kisses* HH
p.s. wonderful pictures!!
theamerarabwife
October 5, 2010 at 10:22 am (14 years ago)These look and sound absolutely delightful, and so surprisingly easy to make. I have to admit, I have issues frying things so have always thought that doughnuts were out of my league. This gives me hope again!
Carolyn Jung
October 5, 2010 at 11:45 am (14 years ago)I want my “apple a day” in donut form. I think my doc would approve, too, since these are baked. 😉
Eva
October 6, 2010 at 4:08 pm (14 years ago)Such beautiful photos, and the apple doughnuts look exquisite. I will most definitely be making these tomorrow!
christelle is flabbergasting
October 6, 2010 at 8:58 pm (14 years ago)Oven-baked! That change it all! I am not a big fan of frying donuts (it’s always getting messy and sticky! 😉 )
but IN OVEN, I must try them!!
Mary
October 7, 2010 at 5:24 pm (14 years ago)These look fantastic, and so perfect for the season. Fall is definitely here in Ottawa too, and the leaves are so colourful. I’ll have to get out and pick some apples so I can make these.
🙂
Kelly
October 15, 2010 at 12:17 am (14 years ago)Just baked these– OH my goodness. My roommate is already planning to make a batch tomorrow. So apple-y!!
polwig
October 16, 2010 at 11:25 am (14 years ago)Beautiful photos and amazing recipe… I love that these are baked…
Carolyn
October 17, 2010 at 3:15 pm (14 years ago)Yum – these look delicious!!
Audrey
October 19, 2010 at 9:17 am (14 years ago)oh, my! I love apple cider donuts but I would never make the deep-fried kind at home. These look incredible!
Maven
October 21, 2010 at 11:30 am (14 years ago)I just saw this recipe on thekitchn.com and had to come by your blog. Now, I’m excited! Love everything I’ve seen so far. Will be trying all of your apple recipes and will be back!
AK @ Incontinence Supplies
October 22, 2010 at 1:24 pm (14 years ago)That’s great! Another option if you think your apples are going bad is to make Apple Jelly!! Good Stuff!
peasepudding
November 5, 2010 at 2:18 pm (14 years ago)I like the sound of baked rather than fried donuts, i wonder how a yeast dough will turn out? You have inspired me to have a go, thanks
Lilly
September 9, 2011 at 10:03 am (13 years ago)i think i love you for posting the recipe for Oven-Baked Apple Donuts … this is now the mission for this weekend.
TheFiveDays
September 21, 2011 at 8:54 pm (13 years ago)Thank you so much for posting these, I used to have a similar (or same?) recipe called Apple Puffs and my whole family loved it. Until I lost it. I’ve been trying to find it forever. Woohoo!
Anonymous
October 2, 2011 at 12:03 pm (13 years ago)I made these this morning and the batter was a bit dry… also they tasted a bit floury like the flour wasn’t cooked all the way.
I used whole wheat flour.. should I have adjusted anything?
They were easy and otherwise had a good flavour… my daughter did most of the work by herself… good kid friendly recipe
Chocolate Shavings
October 2, 2011 at 4:08 pm (13 years ago)Anonymous: I haven’t made these with whole wheat flour – but that may have affected the texture. If the batter seemed dry, they might have over-cooked a little as well. I would try making them again with a little more apple (to add moisture) and make sure to take them out of the oven as soon as they are cooked. Hope that helps – and I’m glad you still enjoyed them!
Courty Biggs
October 2, 2011 at 6:29 pm (13 years ago)I am so making these next weekend 🙂
Chocolate Shavings
October 2, 2011 at 7:47 pm (13 years ago)Courty Biggs: Great- let me know what you think!
Liz Autry
October 8, 2011 at 11:00 am (13 years ago)Tried these this morning, and they are definitely a keeper for our little family!
I found you on Pinterest.
Annaliese Lemmon
October 28, 2011 at 10:42 am (13 years ago)I adapted these apple bites to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. My son who is allergic to those things devoured them! The recipe with the adaptions is on my blog. Thanks for sharing this recipe with Giving Up on Perfect.
Chocolate Shavings
October 28, 2011 at 11:45 am (13 years ago)Annaliese Lemmon: I’m glad you enjoyed them and your version sounds delicious!
lori
January 9, 2012 at 9:54 pm (12 years ago)Thanks for this recipe.I made these this morning and they are absolutely delicious! Can’t stop eating them.
Blessings,
Dawnb1985
February 6, 2012 at 11:45 pm (12 years ago)How many calories is this a serving?
Sabrina
March 5, 2012 at 6:53 pm (12 years ago)Just made these and man they are amazing!!! I am pretty sure I will eat the whole batch myself! Yum!!!
cameragnome
March 10, 2012 at 6:25 pm (12 years ago)Delicious! We just made these. My son didn’t want apples in his, so I added apples to half the batch after it was all mixed. Plain, or with apple, these were fast and simple. A small disher would work nicely to measure and quickly scoop the batter.
joanandriahsreviews
June 23, 2012 at 7:50 pm (12 years ago)I am a major apple fritter fan and cant find any good ones where I live. Love the recipes. Looks very doable.
Can’t wait to try it. Noms.
mel mel
September 18, 2012 at 2:10 am (12 years ago)I made these and they turned out like bread balls, instead of donut holes…very disappointed. :/
Chocolate Shavings
September 18, 2012 at 4:58 am (12 years ago)mel mel: I’m sorry to he’s that! The dough is meat to be fluffy- you might have over-baked them? Or overworked the dough?
Anonymous
September 18, 2012 at 3:39 pm (12 years ago)Just made these today and they are so yummy!!! Mouth watering, not dry at all. My kiddos loved them as well!!
Anonymous
November 8, 2012 at 12:31 pm (11 years ago)Very tasty! I would consider them more of a muffin than a doughnut, but they were still good.
srruelas
December 25, 2012 at 11:16 am (11 years ago)Made these for a fall bachelorette party, Thanksgiving day and now for Christmas morning! They are delicious and addicting! Happy Holidays to all!
srruelas
December 25, 2012 at 11:17 am (11 years ago)Made these for a fall bachelorette party, Thanksgiving dinner and now Christmas morning! They are delicious and addicting! Happy Holidays to all!
srruelas
December 25, 2012 at 11:17 am (11 years ago)Made these for a fall bachelorette party, Thanksgiving dinner and now Christmas morning! They are delicious and addicting! Happy Holidays to all!
Brittany
February 7, 2013 at 10:15 pm (11 years ago)What kind of apples do you recommend using?
Chocolate Shavings
February 8, 2013 at 10:09 am (11 years ago)Brittany: Granny Smith apples work nicely in this recipe – but I’ve tried it with Mcintosh apples as well.