A while back, the director of the preschool at our church approached me about making “healthy” donuts for a special Dads and Donuts event they were holding. Initially, I told her that I had never made donuts and that I didn’t think I had the time needed to do the research right then.
Ha!
No sooner had the lady walked away, and I was doing a quick Google search “just to see” what was out there for “healthy” donuts. As it turns out, there is a lot out there.
Of course I made the donuts for the preschool event.
Surprise, surprise.
Saying “no” might be difficult for me.
I found the donut pans at my local Bed Bath and Beyond for about $10 and then I selected some recipes to try. I have only touched the tip of the iceberg for recipes. Baked donuts come in every variety imaginable. There are also gluten-free, vegan, and other diet-specific varieties.
Sadly, these donuts are not “HEALTHY” because they are still full of sugar and topped with glazes and sprinkles galore, but I would say that some of them are “healthier” than what you might buy at your local donut shop. They are baked instead of fried and some recipes use things such as Greek yogurt or apple sauce in place of butter or other fats.
Of course, these donuts do not taste like their fried counterparts at the donut shop, but they have their place. They are kind of like muffins or cupcakes molded into the donut shape. Some of the recipes I looked at even said to put the batter in a muffin pan if you don’t have a donut pan.
Most kids are going to love donuts no mater how you fry or bake them. Add some glaze and sprinkles on top and you and your donuts will be a big hit. My kids have been more than happy to have them on a random morning.
This particular recipe is a lightly cinnamon flavored cake with a vanilla glaze on top.
Baked Cinnamon Bun Donuts
Yield: about 8 donuts
Ingredients:
For the donuts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (to taste–add more or less to your liking)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons lowfat buttermilk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- milk or cream to desired consistency (approximately 1 tablespoon)
- optional: sprinkles or nuts
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and lightly spray donut pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix flour, sugars, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In a small glass bowl, melt butter on low in the microwave. Add applesauce, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla and whisk to combine.
- Slowly add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Transfer the donut batter to a piping bag or a zip top bag. (Snip one corner if using a zip top bag.)Fill each cavity of the donut pan about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until donuts spring back when touched.
- Let donuts cool for 4-5 minutes in the pan and then remove.
- While the donuts are cooling, make the glaze. Combine powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk or cream until smooth and of desired consistency.
- Dip each donut into the glaze and then dip in sprinkles if desired.
- Donuts are best when eaten right away.
Source: Sally’s Baking Addiction
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