Other than pumpkin, it is apples that have the taste of autumn.  So, here are apple donuts on a pumpkin plate.  These apple cake donuts are lightly spiced with cinnamon, and have a fresh apple flavor in a really moist donut, perfect for a weekend treat. I have been trying to get this recipe right ever since the Apple Festival. My first attempt was a disaster, the second was OK, but not great. Now, I think I finally have the perfect recipe.

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Add eggs and oil, stir gently only until combined.

Add apples, stir to distribute evenly.  A bit more than the 1-1/4 cup is OK.   Batter will be very thick and sticky.

Load 1/2 of batter into a piping bag, cut off the end. Don’t use any tips as the apple chunks won’t go through. You will be tempted to skip this step but trust me, it is worth the 30 seconds it takes to put the batter in a bag. If you don’t have a pastry bag (I use disposables) use a zip top bag. Trying to get this sticky, thick batter into those little wells is next to impossible with spoons.

Prepare two donut pans by spraying with no-stick spray.  Pipe batter into six donut wells.

Repeat with remaining batter and second donut pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-16 minutes, only until top springs back when lightly touched and donuts are lightly browned.

Allow to cool for a couple of minutes…

then remove from pans and put on wire racks to cool.

Yum! These are outstanding served right out of the oven. You can sprinkle with powdered sugar if you like. Or a combination of powdered sugar and cinnamon. Or drizzle with a little glaze made of powdered sugar and milk with a dash of vanilla. DH likes his plain and warmed up in the microwave.

Apple Cake Donuts

1-1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/4 cup diced fresh apples (about 3 gala size apples)

Spray two donut pans with non-stick spray and set aside.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine first six dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add eggs and oil, stir gently only until combined. Add apples, stir to distribute evenly. Batter will be very thick and sticky. Load 1/2 of batter into a piping bag, cut off the end. Pipe into six donut wells. Repeat with remaining batter and another donut pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-16 minutes, only until top springs back when lightly touched and donuts are lightly browned. Do not over-bake. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes, then remove from pans and put on wire racks to cool.  Dust with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or drizzle with glaze if you like.