This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy
These Applesauce Donut Muffins are packed with applesauce, bake up so tender, and coated in crispy cinnamon and sugar for the perfect Fall treat.
Baking up recipes using applesauce is a favorite Fall activity of mine and these applesauce donut muffins are a definite vibe.
It’s an Applesauce Donut Hole Sort of Situation!
Ever heard of donut muffins? They’re a treat we’ve been making for years now and now we’ve given them a little Fall-inspired makeover by using applesauce in the batter.
Part muffin, part donut hole, these are sure to be a hit with the family.
These applesauce donut muffins have that apple cider donut vibe that we all love with the crispy exterior that’s just absolutely loaded with cinnamon sugar. The crackly crust is really what takes these from muffin to donut!
Perfect for a fall treat! I serve these for breakfast with a pumpkin cream cold brew or for a fun afterschool snack!!
Our apple cider donut bread and pumpkin donut bread both took a little inspo from this recipe with that crackly sugar crust and I gotta tell you, it’s a favorite.
What are donut muffins?
These little mini muffins are prepared with applesauce and bake up light and fluffy!
Then they’re dipped in melted butter (for that freshly fried vibe) and rolled through cinnamon and sugar to make that delectable crunchy exterior you find on all the best donuts.
So, are these donuts or are they muffins? I think they’re a delightful mix of both.
♥ What We Love About This Recipe:
- Fall Flavor – We love the cinnamon sugar and apple flavors that are so perfect for the fall season! We roll these mini muffins in butter and then generously coat them in cinnamon sugar. They’re irresistable!
- Simple – These mini donut muffins are a lot easier to make than a regular full sized donut or muffin and you’re getting all the same flavors! These are great for a quick breakfast or a fall festive treat for the holidays.
Ingredient Notes:
Dry Ingredients – To prepare the applesauce donut muffin batter you’ll start with some flour, sugar, baking soda, softened butter, and ground cinnamon.
Wet Ingredients – You’ll also need an egg, some vanilla extract, and of course the applesauce. We’re using a cinnamon applesauce for extra cinnamon flavor! You can use any variety of applesauce you like.
Mini Muffin Tin!
We love whipping up bite-sized muffins and other desserts in this mini muffin tin! One tin holds 24 mini muffins.
How to Make Applesauce Donut Muffins:
Use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar before adding the wet and dry ingredients.
Once the batter is smooth and creamy, use a cookie scoop to fill a mini muffin tin with batter.
Bake the muffins for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing the muffins from the tin.
Dunk each muffin first in melted butter (quickly, so it doesn’t soak up too much butter) and then into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
My Favorite Cookie Scoop!
We use cookie scoops for everything from baking cookies to scooping meatballs to easily filling muffin tins.
Storage Instructions:
You can keep these applesauce donut muffins stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days. Store them with a paper towel lining the bottom and the top to help prevent them from getting soggy.
Recipe FAQs:
We’re using cinnamon applesauce to add a bit of flavor to the muffins, but beyond that the applesauce helps ensure your muffins will bake up moist.
We prefer to spritz the mini muffin tin with non-stick spray rather than use muffin liners for this recipe.
Yes, you could turn these into larger full sized donut muffins by using a regular muffin tin but you will need to adjust the bake time. They’ll take a little bit longer to cook through the larger muffins.
More Mini Muffin Recipes!
Applesauce Donut Muffins
Ingredients
For the muffins:
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup cinnamon applesauce
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
For the topping:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
To make the muffins:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- Using an electric mixer in a medium mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and applesauce until well combined.
- Gradually stir in the flour, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Fill the muffin wells 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before carefully removing the muffins from the tin.
Topping:
- Melt the butter in the microwave in a small bowl.
- Stir together the sugar and cinnamon in a second small bowl.
- Dunk each muffin quickly into the butter, just enough to coat the exterior without it having time to really soak in, and then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
Barbie says
Hi, can you freeze these?
Karly Campbell says
Yep! We usually freeze muffins wrapped individually and then placed in a freezer bag. I think these would freeze best without the cinnamon sugar coating, but you could likely freeze them either way. As they thaw that cinnamon sugar coating might get a little wet/melty though.
Miche says
I don’t have a mini muffin pan how long would I bake them in a 12 muffin pan
Karly Campbell says
I would guess around 20 minutes, but you’ll want to keep an eye on them and use a tester to check for doneness.
Elena says
Seriously delicious! These are perfect morsels of fall flavor 🙂
Love your recipes, spot on every time.
Karly Campbell says
Thank you, Elena! <3
Marvin says
You made me a better Man with this recipe!!! My friends and family loves this one!
Karly says
So glad they were a hit!
Amy says
How many does this recipe make?
Karly Campbell says
This should make around 24 mini muffins.