Fall is right around the corner, and the perfect time to the make these Apple Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins. You just can’t go wrong with a muffin loaded with apples, whole wheat flour, and a sweet cinnamon and sugar coating.
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The cinnamon sugar coating on these delicious, easy-to-make Apple Cinnamon Donut Muffins will remind you of the popular cinnamon sugar donut.
I’ve seen many different versions of sugar donut muffins on many blogs over the last few months and I’ve been wanting to make them for awhile. I’ve resisted because it’s rare that I serve donuts for breakfast. But when my sons had a sleepover, I thought it called for a special apple-flavored breakfast and these delightfully sweet muffins were a perfect fit.
Also included in this post is a Recipe Round-Up. I’ve joined a fun group of bloggers to put together a roundup of recipes on the first day of every month. This month we’re sharing easy apple recipes.
I used whole wheat pastry flour and add grated apple to boost the nutrition a bit. The grated apple adds great flavor and moisture and cooks quickly.
Note: You could dice the apple if you prefer, but make sure to cut it into small pieces, or the apple will not cook in the short time it takes for the muffins to bake.
I made a double batch and they baked up light and fluffy but had that wonderful cinnamon sugar coating that reminds you of the simple pleasure of eating a fresh, hot sugar-coated donut.
Of course, you don’t have to wait for September to make a cinnamon-flavored fall treat—these Apple Cinnamon Donut Muffins are perfect any time of year. I hope you’ll give them a try.
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Apple Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup milk low fat is fine
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour I used whole wheat pastry flour
- 2 tsp baking power
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 small apples grated
Topping:
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or vegetable oil.
- In a large bowl, beat together sugar and egg until light in color. Add in vegetable oil, milk and vanilla extract.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add to egg mixture and stir to combine. Stir in grated apples.
- Divide batter evenly into 12 muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While muffins are baking, melt butter in a small bowl in the microwave. In another small bowl, combine remaining sugar and cinnamon.
- When muffins are done, cool for a few minutes in the muffin pan, remove from pan and dip muffin top in melted butter, then immediately dip in cinnamon sugar mixture. Cool on a wire rack.
More muffins you might like:
Best Blueberry Streusel Muffins, Barbara Bakes
Chunky Monkey Banana Bread Muffins, Barbara Bakes
Apple Pecan Banana Mini Muffins, Barbara Bakes
Pumpkin Nutella Muffins, Inside BruCrew
Healthy Zucchini Muffins, Well Plated
More apple recipes you might like:
Apple Crumble Cake
Apple Fries
German Apple Cake with Streusel Topping
Apple Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
Apple Nachos
Apple Cheddar Pull-Apart Bread
Apple Pancakes
Apple Cinnamon Crumb Bars
Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
Old-Fashioned Applesauce Oatmeal Cake
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Patsyk
I'd love to try these sometime. I know my oldest would devour these!
Cinnamon-Girl
How very delicious with Apples in them Barbara! Such a great idea and the perfect compliment to the cinnamon! Thanks so much for the shout-out!
Faith
These are definitely the perfect sleepover breakfast! I bet they were a huge hit, they look incredible!
vickys
MMMM, my favourite part about the doughnut eating process is the first bite. That bite that's filled with sugar on the lips and soft, spongey goodness.
teresa
looks like the perfect way to start the day, delish!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
These look and sound wonderful, I have never seen muffins that were like donuts before.
Sue Sparks
Perfect for Easter morning! 🙂 They sound a lot healthier than donuts, especially because they aren't fried! Happy Easter, Barbara!
Cookin' Canuck
These look positively addictive! What a beautiful recipe.
Grumpy & HoneyB
I love how you adapted the recipe to be healthier and I really love the addition of the shredded apple!
Mags
You know I'm a muffin freak. I can't wait to try this recipe. And I agree that they have to be healthier than real donuts.
Memória
Me gusta que hayas rallado la manzana y que hayas usado harina de trigo. ¡Tus panecitos se ven absolutamente perfectos! YUM!
Sweet and Savory
I've got all the ingredients for this minus the apples…hmm??? I want to try these!
Amanda
oh they look marvelous Barbara! I bet they tasted fab! 🙂
Bonnie
These sound so good. I'm going to try them this weekend. I don't even care if they are good for us.
Jessica @ How Sweet
Never made anything like this – sounds delicious!
Cristie
These are going on the menu for this weekend. Thanks so much for posting! Love that they have whole wheat flour in them, we can almost pretend they are good for us . . .
Trish
Oh I too have been following these little delights from one blog to another and want to make them desperately. With the son gone and the husband saying NOPE to extra food around (I should be too..grin) I am economizing on what I make. Something like this will have to be taken to the office I am afraid, or to a neighbour down the street. The addition of whole wheat flour makes it so much better Barbara and I am thinking I could substitute the sugar with something else, maybe Splenda? Sigh…..I shall still try them though and I love the apples you added.
Mimi
I love donut muffins. Adding apple and whole wheat flour was a nice twist on this recipe.
Mimi
Meena
I can imagine the reaction these muffins would have got at the sleepover for your kids…sure you have no leftovers:))
The Double Dipped Life
These look so good! Healthier than donuts, but still tasting yummy!