Thanks to the wonderful world of Pinterest, I have developed a burning desire to make donuts this fall. Apple donuts. Pumpkin donuts. Chocolate donuts. I mean – Donuts! Who makes their own donuts?
Clearly, a lot of people. Because they are all over the Pinterest.
Apparently, you can bake donuts (and, therefore, call them healthy). And you can use a donut tin that looks like a muffin tin (who knew?) or a donut cutter that is basically a donut-shaped cookie cutter (seriously! who knew?). I realize these are probably basic facts that any decent cook knows, but I’m telling you it has blown my mind.
I decided (despite my proclamation that I’d no longer be tempting you – and me – with recipes for delicious sweet treats) to try making donuts for my Bible study group. Last week was my turn to take the morning snack, and I thought these oven-baked apple donuts from Chocolate Shavings looked perfect.
And they WERE delicious. I mean, just look at that! One of the girls at Bible study actually said they “were like heaven in my mouth”! But I’ve got to tell you two things.
First, I just can’t call them “donuts.” I made them in a mini muffin tin, so to me, they’re muffins. Not donuts. And second, I wanted to believe that the apples and whole wheat flour I used would balance out the large amounts of butter included. But that’s not really true.
Mostly, though, I want you to know that yummy as these were, I don’t think they count as actual donuts. So I am now forced to try another donut recipe sometime in the future. [Consider that your unhealthy-but-delicious warning!]
These little apple bites (muffins? fritters? I don’t know what to call them!) are messy and a little bit bigger than bite-sized. So I won’t judge you if you just get down to business with a fork and a glass of milk. No, I won’t. You could also make three dozen instead of two, which would eliminate the bigger-than-bite-size problem. I can’t help you with the messy part, though. That’s just the beauty of food rolled in butter and cinnamon sugar.
| Baked Apple Bites |
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 1/2 cups apple, peeled, cored and diced
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1/3 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- To Coat:
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk the flour, baking powder, sugars, salt and and nutmeg. Add the cold, chopped butter. Mix with fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (To be honest, though, mine never actually looked like crumbs.)
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg. Add the milk and apples. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir with spoon (being careful not to over-mix). The batter will be thick. Place a spoonful into each mold of a buttered mini muffin pan. (I recommend using two muffin tins so they are smaller and more bite-sized.)
- Bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove from the tin and lightly brush each donut with the melted butter. Dunk in a bowl with the sugar and cinnamon. Shake off excess sugar and serve warm.
I’ve got to tell you. As part of our conversation during Bible study, I was explaining to my [new] friends that I’m not comfortable in my role as stay-at-home mom. But the whole thing fell pretty flat when faced with these delicious “donuts” that I’d just happened (ha!) to whip up that morning.
No, I’m not bragging. I stand by the statement that I’m not all that domestic. But this recipe is easy and delicious, so what can I say? Maybe I’m getting something right? (Never mind my rededication to healthy eating. Just never mind it.)
Do you make your own donuts? Do you feel like you’re domestic? And have you ever heard of a donut cutter?
This post will be linked to Mouthwatering Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, 33 Shades of Green, Sweet Tooth Friday and Foodie Friday.
I have a donut pan, and I do make my own every once in awhile. Really, the way I make them, I think they are fairly healthful. But these look very yummy!
Yes. I think your donuts probably are healthful. As a matter of fact, I think ALL baked donuts must be. Right? RIGHT?
YUM! I can’t wait to try to make these!
These look so yummy! Perfect for fall :)
i had wanted a donut pan for a couple of years but couldn’t find one. at a thrift shop one day i came upon a mini -donut maker (reminds me of those pocket sandwich makers except instead of the squares for the bread it has 6 mini donut shaped spaces to fill)and bought it for $10. my boys love the donuts we make with this!!! just this morning i made pumpkin applesauce donuts and they were gone quickly!
How fun – and hello?! Pumpkin applesauce? That sounds soooo good!
Why, yes, yes and yes! LOL I make them once a year with a friend of mine. This year we are thinking of red velvet :o)
Ooooh, yum! Red velvet would be especially festive for Christmas!
I cannot wait to make these! I love donuts and will take every opportunity to make an easy, similar concoction. All foods that I make in my house, I have to tailor for food allergies. I think this recipe would adapt very easily. Thanks!
Yummmm, I’m drooling! I’d never heard of those things either!!! I am going to try to avoid making these… and will likely cave soon. ;) I LOVE the name, bites is good! :)
Don’t give in! (Or do. They really were yummy!)
I have heard of a donut cutter. My mom has one. ;)
I have made homemade donuts once…for my son’s birthday in July. I used this recipe: http://erincooks.com/raised-doughnuts/ and they were delicious!
Wow, you fried them and everything? Major good mom bonus points for that! (Maybe I should tell MY mom about this…haha!)
This explains why I had a bad week at WW that week… Too many fried donuts!
Those look wonderful! I’d love to enjoy them with a glass of milk or some hot apple cider.
Mmmm…with hot apple cider? That would be SO GOOD!
I need these in my belly
I adapted these apple bites to be gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free. My son who is allergic to those things devoured them! I shared the recipe for my adaptions on my blog. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
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