We love a good crumb topping and today, we are topping my baked applesauce donuts with a buttery crumb topping and they are so good!
These apple crumb donuts give both warmly spiced apple vibes and coffee cake-esque feels all in one very delicious little package.
Let’s get started…
Before you get started on the donut batter, make the crumb topping and chill it in the freezer so the crumbs are firm and cold before you add them.
In a small dish, combine 1/2 cup of all purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix in 2 tablespoons of melted butter until you get a large crumb and chill in the freezer for now.
Whisk 1/2 cup of applesauce with 1/4 cup of a neutral oil (I usually use olive oil here), 3/4 cup of your favorite milk and 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract until well combined.
Add 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of brown sugar and vigorously whisk until fully incorporated.
Add 2 cups of all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of cloves and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and mix until just combined. Everything doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth here, so just mix until the dry ingredients are worked in, but no more than that! Over mixing the dry ingredients into the batter can create tougher donuts and nobody wants that!
Fill your generously greased donut pan cavities half way and top with the chilled crumb topping.
I like to press the crumb topping down a bit to ensure it adheres to the batter. This way it will have a better chance to stick to the donut as it rises during the baking process.
Would you look at these beauties? That crumb is so buttery, tender and sweet and the donuts underneath are moist, appley and warmly spiced.
These donuts are so special and I bet you will love them and add them your regular donut baking rotation…
… and if you don’t have a “regular donut baking rotation”… you need one…
Apple Crumb Donuts
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of applesauce
- 1/4 cup of a neutral oil
- 3/4 cup of your favorite milk
- 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
- 2 cups of all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon of cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Crumb Topping
- 1/2 cup of all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons of butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°
Prepare the crumb topping...
- In a small bowl, whisk 1/2 cup of all purpose flour with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- Add 2 tablespoons of melted butter and mix until fully incorporated and large crumbs form
- Place the crumb topping in the freezer while you prepare the batter
Prepare the batter...
- In a large bowl, whisk 1/2 cup of applesauce with 1/4 cup of olive oil, 3/4 cup of milk and 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
- Add 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of brown sugar and whisk until fully incorporated
- Add 2 cups of all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of cloves and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and mix until just combined
- Fill the cavities in a greased doughnut pan half way and top with the chilled crumb topping
Bake the donuts...
- Bake in a 400° oven for 10-12 minutes or until the doughnuts feel springy and a toothpick comes out clean
- Dust slightly cooled donuts with confectioners sugar
- Enjoy warm or store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for 1-2 days at room temperature
