Apple Cinnamon Mini Donut Bake

This cozy, easy-to-make dessert (or breakfast!) combines the flavor of cinnamon-sugar donuts with tender chunks of apple in a warm, oven-baked dish. It’s like a cross between a donut, coffee cake, and apple crisp—perfect for sharing.

Ingredients

For the Apple Layer:

2 medium apples (like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith), peeled and diced into ½-inch pieces
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

For the Donut Batter:

1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 large egg, at room temperature
¾ cup (180ml) milk (whole or buttermilk preferred)
¼ cup (60ml) melted butter or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping:

¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing after baking)

Optional Glaze:

½ cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk or cream
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prep:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking dish.
Toss diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 tbsp flour. Spread evenly in the baking dish.

2. Make Batter:

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In another bowl, whisk egg, milk, melted butter/oil, and vanilla until smooth.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined—don’t overmix.

3. Assemble:

Pour batter evenly over the apples in the baking dish. Gently spread to cover.

4. Bake:

Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. Finish:

Mix the ¼ cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon for the topping.
As soon as the bake comes out of the oven, brush the top generously with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Let cool for 10–15 minutes before serving.

6. Optional Glaze:

Whisk powdered sugar, milk/cream, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over the warm bake just before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm, scooped into bowls.
Top with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Enjoy as a sweet breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea.

Tips & Variations

Make Mini/Muffin Version: Pour into a greased muffin tin and bake 18–22 minutes.
Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the apple layer.
Dairy-Free: Use plant-based milk and oil instead of butter.
Extra Apple Flavor: Add ½ teaspoon apple pie spice to the batter.
Storage: Keep covered at room temperature up to 2 days, or refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

This comforting bake brings the cozy taste of apple cinnamon donuts to your table with minimal fuss. Perfect for fall mornings, brunch gatherings, or a sweet treat any time of year! 🍎🍩