Cake Mix Apple Spice Donut Recipe
Bake up these soft cake mix apple spice donuts that are made with a spice cake mix, applesauce, apple juice, and a few more simple ingredients for the ultimate apple-flavored donut, perfect for fall.
Equipment
- Donut Pan
Ingredients
- 1 box spice cake mix
- ½ cup applesauce unsweetened
- ½ cup apple juice reduced (see step 2)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°. Grease your donut pans.
- In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of apple juice over medium heat, and simmer until it reduces to 1/2 cup. Remove from heat, and let cool.
- In a large bowl, mix the spice cake mix, applesauce, egg, apple juice, butter, and vanilla until just combined.
- Add to piping bag (or gallon-size storage bag with one corner cut off). Pipe into greased donut pans, filling them about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let them cool for 5 minutes.
- Brush donuts with melted butter, and dip them into the cinnamon sugar topping.
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- Melt butter in a dish and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar.
- While the donuts are warm, brush them with the melted butter and dip them into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Notes
Variations:
- Swap out the apple juice with apple cider for apple cider donuts instead of apple spice.
- You can drizzle with caramel sauce or add caramel chips.
- Make apple pumpkin donuts by replacing half of the applesauce with pumpkin puree.
Helpful Tips:
- Simmering the apple juice concentrates the flavor without making the batter too thin, so the donuts come out tender and delicious.
- To keep the donuts soft and fluffy, try not to overmix the batter; just stir until combined.
- Although not necessary, use a piping bag or a gallon-sized storage bag so you can pipe the batter into the donut pan, so it's not as messy.
- Baking times can vary, so start checking at the lowest time.
- If you are coating in cinnamon sugar, let the donuts cool for 5 minutes and then brush with melted butter and roll in the cinnamon sugar. The donuts should still be warm so that the coating will stick well.
Storage and Leftovers:
- Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to soften.