These Caramel Apple Doughnuts bring the cozy flavors of fall into your kitchen with every bite. Made with applesauce and a touch of buttermilk, they're fried until golden and finished with a creamy caramel frosting that tastes like autumn at the fair.
This recipe takes me back to the crisp fall morning of my childhood in northern New York, when Mom's Buttermilk Doughnuts and cider were a weekend tradition. Now, I love recreating that same comfort at home and these doughnuts deliver it perfectly.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Warm flavor: the combination of applesauce, caramel, and pecans gives that comforting fall sweetness you crave.
Homemade touch: nothing beats fresh-fried doughnuts with a glaze you mix yourself.
Fun to decorate: with caramel icing, pecan pieces, and colorful sprinkles, they look as festive as they taste.
Key Ingredients for Caramel Apple Doughnuts
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
- Applesauce: adds moisture and a subtle apple flavor that keeps the doughnuts soft.
- Buttermilk: creates a tender crumb with a slight tang that balances the sweetness.
- Cream cheese icing: blended with caramel topping for a luscious, bakery-style finish.
- Pecans and M&M's: add crunch and seasonal flavor to the topping.
- Butter extract: gives that rich, bakery-style aroma that enhances the apple-caramel blend.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Vanilla extract can replace butter flavor extract.
- Sour cream may be used instead of buttermilk.
- Chopped walnuts can stand in for pecans if that's what you have on hand.
Variations on Caramel Apple Doughnuts
- Baked version: use a doughnut pan and bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes.
- Maple glaze: swap caramel topping for maple syrup in the frosting.
- Apple cinnamon: add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of nutmeg to the dough for a spiced twist.
Tips for Perfect Fried Doughnuts
- Test the oil: use a deep fry thermometer to gauge the temperature of the oil. If you don't have one, drop a bit of dough in to see if it bubbles right away, that's when it is ready.
- Don't overcrowd: fry only a few doughnuts at a time to keep the temperature consistent.
- Cool completely: let doughnuts cool before icing so the glaze doesn't melt off.
How to Store
Store cooled frosted doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
More Recipes for Fall Desserts You'll Love
If you enjoy these doughnuts, you'll love Butternut Squash Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting, Brown Butter Banana Bars, Caramel Apple Cheese Danish, and Pecan Pie Thumbprint Cookies.
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Caramel Apple Doughnuts
Equipment
- Deep Fryer , or heavy pot for frying
- Slotted Spoon or tongs
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Ingredients
For the doughnuts:
- 2 quarts oil for deep frying
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup apple sauce
- 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon butter flavor extract may sub vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
For the Topping:
- 1 cup cream cheese frosting
- ⅓ cup caramel ice cream topping
- M&M's Candies
- ½ cup roasted salted pecan pieces
- fall colored sprinkles
Instructions
For the Doughnuts
- Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F. You can test this by dropping a small piece of dough into the hot oil. If it bubbles all around quickly, it is up to temperature
- In a large bowl, using a hand whisk, beat together sugar, butter, eggs, butter flavored extract, and applesauce.
- In a separate bowl, stir together flour baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Stir flour mixture into the egg mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Mix until a stiff dough is formed.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a ¾ to 1 inch thick sheet. Make sure to roll the dough to an even thickness. Cut out doughnuts with a doughnut cutter.
- Carefully slide doughnuts into hot oil. Turn doughnuts as soon as they rise to the surface. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain and cool prior to icing.
To Make the Icing
- Mix together frosting and caramel ice cream topping until combined.
- Spread icing over top of cooled doughnuts and decorate candy piees, pecan pieces, and fall sprinkles if desired.
Samantha K says
These look amazing! I have a mini doughnut maker, but I really want to try to have homemade ones like this! (client)
Heather {Brie Brie Blooms} says
I remember my dad making us homemade doughnuts growing up but I haven't carried on the tradition. Instead of making doughnuts for my daughters I would love to surprise my dad with homemade doughnuts the next time I visit. Great recipe! #client
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
What a fun and delicious looking donut! I could totally go for one right now!
Mary Ellen says
Great tip on how to do this if you don't have a donut cutter!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
These sounds like the perfect donuts for fall! 🙂 I always love when bloggers share recipes that bring back warm family memories for them.
Sandra says
Oh, I love all the goodies that top the donuts! What a fun treat. I've only baked donuts I need to try this tasty fry method!
Renee@Renee's Kitchen Adventures says
Oh yummy!! I love cake doughnuts this time of year!! They seem so "Fallish" These look amazing Shelby!
Christie says
What a fun way to celebrate a birthday or to start Thanksgiving day.