Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 4 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a donut pan using baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
- Beat sugars and eggs: In a large bowl, beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs together until the mixture is light and fluffy, incorporating air for tender donuts.
- Add wet ingredients: Stir in the unsweetened applesauce, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract into the sugar and egg mixture until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the donuts tender.
- Fill donut pan: Spoon or pipe the batter evenly into the prepared donut pan cavities, filling each about three-quarters full to allow room for rising.
- Bake donuts: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
- Cool donuts: Remove the pan from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare cinnamon sugar coating: In a shallow bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
- Coat the donuts: Brush each warm donut with melted butter, then toss or gently roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture to evenly coat the surface, adding a sweet and spiced finish.
Notes
- For best results, use unsweetened applesauce to add moisture without extra sugar.
- You can substitute sour cream if Greek yogurt is not available, which adds richness.
- Don’t overfill the donut pan to prevent batter overflow during baking.
- Use a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with a corner cut off for easier filling of the donut pan.
- Allow the donuts to cool slightly before coating to help the cinnamon sugar stick without melting away.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
