There’s something magical about the smell of freshly baked donuts wafting through the house, isn’t there? It takes me back to lazy Sunday mornings, when my family would gather in the kitchen, sipping on coffee while enjoying the sweet treat. Those moments were filled with laughter, a bit of flour on our noses, and, of course, the irresistible aroma of crispy, fluffy donuts. Today, I’m thrilled to share my Easy Oven Baked French Cruller Donuts Recipe with you — the perfect balance of indulgence and health consciousness! These baked beauties have the light and airy texture of the classic French cruller without all the guilt. Let’s dive into this delightful adventure together!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Healthier alternative: Baked instead of fried.
• Super easy: Minimal effort for maximum flavor.
• Light and fluffy: The perfect texture that melts in your mouth.
• Customizable: Dress them up with your favorite toppings.
• Great for sharing: Perfect for brunch gatherings or a cozy family breakfast.

Ingredients

Let’s gather our ingredients for these delightful cruller donuts! Most of these items are pantry staples, so you might even have everything on hand.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (for moisture and lower fat)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, but oh-so-good)
• 1-2 tablespoons milk (for thinning the batter)
• For the glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and a splash of vanilla extract.

Note: Using unsweetened applesauce not only lightens up these donuts but also keeps them incredibly moist. Fresh ground cinnamon adds warmth and flavor; it’s such a small touch that makes a huge difference!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, friends, put on your aprons, and let’s make some donut magic happen!

1. Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a donut pan (trust me, this makes it so much easier).
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3. Combine the wet ingredients: In another large bowl, mix the applesauce, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until it’s all smooth and combined.
4. Bring it together: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Remember, we don’t want to overmix! A few lumps are perfectly fine.
5. Thin it out: If your batter seems too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until you reach a soft, smooth consistency. Think of it as pancake batter!
6. Pipe the donuts: Transfer your donut batter to a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off) and pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
7. Bake & cool: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Glaze time: While your donuts are cooling, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and splash of vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the milk to get your desired glaze consistency.
9. Dunk & enjoy: Dunk each cooled donut into the glaze and let the excess drip off. Place back on the wire rack to set, and enjoy your homemade cruller donuts!

Pro Tip: The batter might seem a bit thicker than expected — that’s totally fine! If it’s too thick to pipe, just add a splash more milk.

Pro Tips & Variations

Let’s keep the fun going! Here are a few exciting variations and tips to customize your cruller donuts:

• Flavor Infusions: You can switch it up by adding lemon or almond extract for a different twist.
• Spice it up: Consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for a warm, spiced crackerjack.
• Top it off: Try rolling them in cinnamon sugar or drizzling with melted chocolate instead of glaze.
• Fruit Purees: Incorporate pureed bananas or pumpkin for a unique flavor and added nutrition!

Don’t be afraid to experiment! You’re in charge of your kitchen, so let your creativity run wild.

Serving Suggestions

Now, how do you serve these delightful donuts? Grab a fresh cup of coffee or tea, and maybe throw a cozy blanket on the couch. These cruller donuts are perfect for a leisurely breakfast or brunch. Pair them with fresh fruit, yogurt, or a light sprinkle of powdered sugar on top if you’re feeling a little indulgent. Trust me, they’ll be a hit with friends and family alike!

Storage Tips

Okay, if there are any leftovers (which, let’s be honest, is a rare occasion), you’ll want to store them properly:

• Refrigerate: Place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: You can freeze uncooked batter in a piping bag for up to 2 months. Just let it thaw in the fridge before baking. Cooked donuts can be frozen too; just make sure they’re in a freezer-safe container!
• Reheat: Reheat in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, and they’ll be almost as good as fresh!

FAQs

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Absolutely! Whole wheat flour can be a great substitute. Just keep in mind that it may give the donuts a denser texture, so you might want to experiment with the ratios a bit.

What can I replace the sugar with?

If you’re looking to cut back on sugar, feel free to use a sugar substitute that measures 1:1 for granulated sugar. Coconut sugar or maple syrup also work well, but you’ll need to adjust the liquid ratio slightly.

How can I make these donuts vegan?

No problem! You can replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water) and swap the milk with almond or oat milk. The result will still be delicious!

What should I do if the dough is too thick?

If your dough seems too thick to pipe, simply add a bit more milk a tablespoon at a time until you reach a smooth consistency. It should flow easily but not be runny.

Conclusion

And there you have it, my friend! A warm and inviting recipe for Easy Oven Baked French Cruller Donuts that you can whip up any time you’re feeling a bit indulgent yet health-conscious. I hope you give this delightful recipe a try and enjoy it as much as I do. I’d love to hear how your baking adventure goes—feel free to drop a comment below or share your own twists on this recipe! Happy baking!

Irresistible Easy OvenBaked French Cruller Donuts Recipe

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• Author: antaki
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

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Description

Try this healthy homemade cruller donut recipe Easy ovenbaked treats that are irresistible and guiltfree Perfect for any occasion

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 cup of all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup of granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (optional)

1–2 tablespoons of milk

For the glaze: 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and a splash of vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a donut pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

In another large bowl, mix the applesauce, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.

If the batter is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until you reach a soft, smooth consistency.

Transfer the batter to a piping bag and pipe into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

While cooling, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a bowl until smooth for the glaze.

Dunk each cooled donut into the glaze and let excess drip off. Place back on the wire rack to set.

Notes

A delightful recipe for Easy Oven Baked French Cruller Donuts that balances indulgence with health consciousness. These baked donuts are light and fluffy, perfect for brunch gatherings or family breakfast.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12 servings
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 10g
• Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g

Keywords: French cruller donuts, baked donuts, healthy dessert recipe