Gluten Free Apple Donuts with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Prepare to delight your taste buds with a heartwarming treat – Gluten Free Apple Donuts topped with a heavenly Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. As the seasons gracefully shift and autumn’s embrace fills the air with the enchanting scents of apples and cinnamon, these delightful donuts are your perfect companion for welcoming the changing leaves and the cool, crisp atmosphere.

Crafted with love from wholesome, gluten free ingredients, these donuts expertly balance the sweet and tart flavors of apple, harmonizing beautifully with the velvety richness of the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. So, get ready to relish the essence of autumn with every delectable bite.

TIPS AND TRICKS

1. Ingredients at Room Temperature: Make sure ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter are at room temperature. This helps achieve a smoother batter and even baking.
2. Gluten Free Flour Blend: Use a high-quality gluten free flour blend designed for baking. It should contain a mix of flours and starches for the best texture. I use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-1 Baking Flour.
3. Choose the Right Apples: Opt for firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Their tartness and texture work well in the donuts.
4. Spoon or Piping Bag: You can use a spoon to transfer the batter into the donut pan, but for a neater result, consider using a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off.
5. Don’t Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until they are incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a tougher texture.
6. Prep the Pan: Grease the donut pan generously with cooking spray or butter and lightly dust it with gluten free flour to prevent sticking.
7. Test for Doneness: Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness. Insert it into a donut, and if it comes out clean, they’re done.
8. Cool Completely: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Let them cool completely before dusting in cinnamon sugar and frosting.
9. Maple Cream Cheese Frosting: Ensure the cream cheese and butter for the frosting are softened for a smoother consistency. Gradually add the maple syrup to taste.
10. Decorate Creatively: Have fun with decorating! Sprinkle chopped nuts, cinnamon, or additional apple pieces on top of the frosting for extra flavor and visual appeal.

DON’T HAVE A DONUT PAN?

If you don’t have a donut pan at your disposal, you can easily adapt this recipe by using a standard muffin pan instead. Just spoon the donut batter into the muffin cups, filling them about two-thirds full, and bake at the same temperature for approximately 20-25 minutes. The result? Irresistible apple-flavored muffin-shaped delights that still encapsulate the essence of fall and pair perfectly with my delectable Maple Cream Cheese Frosting.

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2 from 1 vote

Gluten Free Apple Donuts with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Nothing says autumn like Gluten Free Apple Donuts topped with a luscious Maple Cream Cheese Frosting, the perfect treat for welcoming the season's changing colors and cooler weather. Crafted with wholesome, gluten free ingredients, these delightful donuts expertly balance the sweet and tart flavors of apple, creating a cozy haven of warmth and flavor in every bite.

Course: Dessert

Keyword: apple, donut, easy dessert, gluten free

Ingredients

• 3 cups gluten free flour blend Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-1 Baking Flour
• 2 cups sugar divided
• 2 sticks butter softened
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 4 eggs
• ½ cup orange juice
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2½ tsp vanilla extract
• 4 apples peeled and finely diced
• 7 tsp cinnamon divided
• 8 tsp brown sugar

Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 stick unsalted butter softened
• 1 8 oz. block cream cheese softened
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

• PREHEAT OVEN: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• PREP APPLES: Peel and finely dice the apples. Place them in a small bowl with a splash of orange juice. Add the brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon, and then stir to combine. Set aside.
• PREP DRY INGREDIENTS: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• BEGIN MIXING BATTER: In a large bowl (or mixer), add the 2 sticks of butter, 1 ½ cups of sugar, eggs, vanilla, and orange juice. Mix thoroughly. Gradually begin adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients a little at a time. Mix until just combined as to not over-mix it.
• ADD APPLES: Add the apple mixture to the batter and stir until just combined. Place the batter into a large Ziploc bag, cut one corner, and pipe the mixture into the donut pan.
• BAKE: Bake the donuts for 30-35 minutes.
• MAKE TOPPING: In a shallow bowl, mix together the remaining ½ cup sugar and 2 tbsp cinnamon. Set aside.
• Once the donuts are done baking, take them out of the oven, and allow them to cool completely. In the meantime, make the frosting.
• MAKE FROSTING: Place the butter and cream cheese in to the bowl of your stand mixer and beat until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add in the maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon and mix thoroughly. Finally add the powdered sugar a little at a time and beat until well combined.
• Once the donuts are cooled, remove them from the pan and toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Continue with all the donuts, them drizzle some of the frosting on top.
• Serve immediately. Store the remaining donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.

Notes

*If you do not have a donut pan, you can use a muffin pan. Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes.

*You can make this recipe with regular all purpose flour, if you are not gluten free.