Healthy & Delicious Apple Crumb Donuts with Caramel Drizzle (Weight Watchers Friendly)

There’s an undeniable magic in homemade treats, and freshly baked donuts are no exception. They transform a simple moment into a delightful indulgence, bringing warmth and comfort with every bite. Today, we’re taking that experience to a whole new level with our incredible **Apple Crumb Donut recipe, generously drizzled with decadent caramel**. Imagine biting into a tender, fluffy donut, perfectly studded with sweet, soft apple chunks. It’s crowned with a buttery, golden crumble that shatters beautifully, adding an irresistible texture to each mouthful. And as if that weren’t enough, a rich, gooey caramel sauce cascades over the top, tying all these glorious flavors together in a symphony of autumn bliss. Trust us, these aren’t just any donuts – they’re an experience waiting to happen!

What makes this recipe truly special isn’t just its incredible taste; it’s also remarkably guilt-free! Each donut is thoughtfully crafted to be a smart choice, boasting a mere 104 calories and just 3-4 Weight Watchers Personal Points (depending on your ZeroPoint foods). This makes them the perfect way to enjoy a little indulgence without derailing your healthy eating goals. Plus, this recipe yields 6 generously sized donuts, meaning you can share the joy with loved ones, or, let’s be honest, keep them all to yourself for a few days of pure bliss – we promise, there’s absolutely no judgment here!

So, are you ready to infuse your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of apples and cinnamon, and bake up some apple crumb donut magic? Grab your mixing bowl, gather your ingredients, and prepare to fall head over heels for the ultimate autumn treat that’s both delicious and mindful!

Why You’ll Absolutely Love Making These Apple Crumb Donuts

These baked apple crumb donuts aren’t just another dessert; they’re a versatile, flavorful, and healthier option that fits perfectly into various moments of your day. Here are compelling reasons why this recipe deserves a spot in your baking repertoire:

1. Elevate Your Morning Routine with a Wholesome Twist

If your mornings are stuck in a repetitive muffin rut, these healthy and delicious apple caramel donuts are the perfect escape. They offer a delightful change of pace, delivering a comforting taste of sweetness without the heavy guilt. Unlike many store-bought options, these homemade treats are light on sugar and packed with the natural goodness of apples, providing essential vitamins and minerals to start your day right. Imagine pairing one of these warm donuts with your morning coffee or tea – it’s a small luxury that feels incredibly good.

2. A Kid-Friendly Snack You Can Feel Good About

Searching for the perfect after-school snack that will delight your kids while still being a healthier alternative? Look no further! What child doesn’t adore a donut? The best part about these apple crumb donuts is that you don’t have to worry about them being loaded with excessive sugar. Their naturally sweet profile, combined with the wholesome ingredients, makes them a fantastic option for a satisfying and fun treat. They’re light, airy, and the apple chunks add a touch of fruitiness that even picky eaters will appreciate.

3. The Perfect Addition to a Weekend Brunch or Gathering

Planning a ladies’ brunch or a casual weekend get-together? These apple crumb donuts are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. They add an element of homemade charm and sophisticated fall flavors to any spread. Your guests will be raving about their deliciousness, and you can secretly smile knowing they’re enjoying a healthier version of a classic favorite. They look impressive, taste incredible, and are surprisingly simple to make, leaving you more time to enjoy the company of your friends and family.

Understanding Baked Donuts: A Healthier Choice

When we talk about donuts, many people immediately picture the deep-fried, greasy varieties often found in commercial bakeries. However, our apple crumb donuts are a baked delight, offering a significantly healthier profile without compromising on flavor or texture. Baking donuts eliminates the need for excessive oil, drastically reducing fat and calorie content. This method results in a lighter, fluffier texture that still provides that satisfying donut experience. Plus, baking is far less messy and much easier for the home cook, making this recipe approachable for everyone, from novice bakers to seasoned pros. It’s a smart swap that lets you enjoy your favorite treat more often.

Key Ingredients You Need to Make These Apple Crumb Donuts

Gathering your ingredients is the first exciting step towards these delectable donuts. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a few notes for optimal results:

• ½ cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: The foundation for our light and fluffy donut batter.
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor, complementing the apples beautifully.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: Our leavening agent, ensuring your donuts rise perfectly and achieve that desirable cake-like texture.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A staple in baking, enhancing all the other flavors and adding a warm aroma.
• 2 tablespoons liquid egg whites: Using liquid egg whites helps keep the donuts light and contributes to their structure without adding extra fat. Carton egg whites are perfect for this!
• ⅓ cup low-fat milk: Provides moisture to the batter, resulting in tender donuts. You can use 1% or skim milk.
• ½ cup diced apple: The star of the show! Choose a firm, sweet-tart apple like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala for the best flavor and texture when baked. Make sure to dice them very small for even cooking.

For the CRUMBLE TOPPING:

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar: For that perfect touch of sweetness in the crumble.
• 1.5 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Creates the crumbly texture.
• ½ tablespoon melted reduced-fat butter or margarine: Binds the crumble together and adds richness. Using reduced-fat options helps maintain the healthy profile.
• 2 tablespoons Smucker’s sugar-free caramel sauce: The grand finale! This sugar-free option ensures your caramel drizzle is delicious yet mindful of your sugar intake.

How to Make Apple Crumb Donuts (Step by Step Guide):

Creating these delightful donuts is simpler than you might think. Follow these easy steps for a batch of homemade goodness:

1. Prepare Your Pan & Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, generously spray a 6-hole donut pan with nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step ensures your donuts will release easily once baked.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, gently whisk together the liquid egg whites and brown sugar until well combined. Then, stir in the low-fat milk and vanilla extract. This creates the foundational liquid mixture for your donut batter.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and baking powder into your wet ingredients. Stir just until the mixture is combined and there are no large lumps. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough donuts.
4. Fold in the Apples: Peel and dice your apple into very small, uniform pieces. Smaller pieces ensure the apple cooks evenly and disperses throughout the donut. Gently fold the diced apple into the batter using a spatula.
5. Fill the Donut Pan: Carefully divide the batter evenly among the 6 donut holes in your prepared pan. You can use a spoon or a piping bag (with the end snipped off) for a neater fill.
6. Prepare the Crumb Topping: In a small separate bowl, combine the granulated white sugar and 1.5 tablespoons of flour. Pour in the melted reduced-fat butter or margarine. Using a fork, mix these ingredients until a coarse, crumbly mixture forms.
7. Top the Donuts: Evenly sprinkle the prepared crumb topping over the surface of each donut in the pan. Don’t press it down too firmly; a light sprinkle is perfect.
8. Bake to Perfection: Place the donut pan into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. The donuts should be golden brown and spring back lightly when touched.
9. Cool and Release: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This allows them to firm up slightly. Then, using a thin knife or offset spatula, gently scrape around the edges to release the donuts from the pan. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Drizzle with Caramel & Serve: For the caramel drizzle, place the sugar-free caramel sauce in a small zip-lock bag. Snip off a tiny corner of the bag to create a small opening. Drizzle the caramel artfully over your 6 cooled donuts. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors and textures!

This recipe makes 6 servings. Here’s the detailed nutrition information for 1 donut: Calories 105, Fat 1 g, Saturated fat 0.62 g, Carbs 22 g, Fiber 0.67 g, Sugars 6.04 g, Sodium 113 mg, Protein 3 g.

Weight Watchers Points for Apple Crumb Donut

One of the best features of this recipe is how perfectly it fits into a mindful eating plan like Weight Watchers. Here’s a breakdown of the points per ingredient for full transparency, contributing to the remarkably low point value per donut:

• All-purpose flour: 8 points
• Brown sugar: 4 points
• Baking powder: 0 points
• Vanilla extract: 0 points
• Liquid egg whites: 0 points
• Low-fat milk: 1 point
• Diced apple: 0 points

CRUMBLE TOPPING:

• Granulated sugar: 4 points
• All-purpose flour: 1 point
• Reduced-fat butter or margarine: 2 points
• Smucker’s sugar-free caramel sauce: 3 points

Based on the WW app recipe creator, each donut comes out to approximately 4 points. This makes them a fantastic, satisfying treat that won’t derail your progress!

For those using older versions of WW, here’s a quick guide:

• Personal Points: 3-4 (depending on your ZeroPoint foods)
• Freestyle SP (Blue & Purple): 3 (using WW recipe builder)
• Smart Points (Green): 3 (using SP calculator)
• Points Plus: 2 (using PP calculator)

Creative Ways to Customize This Apple Crumb Donut Recipe:

While delicious as is, this recipe is also incredibly versatile, allowing for fun and flavorful variations:

• Seasonal Fruit Swaps: Don’t limit yourself to apples! Try this recipe with other seasonal fruits. Pears are an excellent choice when in season, offering a slightly different texture and sweetness. You could also experiment with diced peaches in the summer or a mix of berries.
• Spice It Up: Enhance the warm, comforting flavors by adding a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a touch of allspice to your donut batter. These spices pair wonderfully with apples and other fall fruits.
• Citrus Zest: A little lemon or orange zest folded into the batter can add a bright, fresh note that cuts through the sweetness and elevates the overall flavor profile.
• Nutty Crunch: For an added layer of texture and flavor, sprinkle some finely chopped walnuts or pecans onto the crumble topping before baking.
• Different Drizzles: While caramel is fantastic, consider other topping options. A simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk, or a light cream cheese frosting, could also be delightful. A sprinkle of powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar after cooling is also a classic and easy alternative.

Expert Tips and Tricks for Making Perfect Apple Crumb Donuts:

Achieving bakery-quality donuts at home is easier than you think with these helpful tips:

• Apple Preparation is Key: For perfectly cooked apple pieces within your donuts, ensure they are diced very small and uniformly. Alternatively, you could even shred the apple instead of dicing it. This will ensure they soften beautifully and cook evenly without leaving large, raw chunks.
• The Art of the Drizzle: For the best visual appeal and to prevent the caramel from being absorbed too quickly, do not drizzle with caramel until you are ready to serve. If you’re preparing them in advance, store the plain donuts and caramel separately, and add the drizzle just before enjoying.
• Storage for Freshness: While these donuts are undeniably best enjoyed fresh from the oven, they can be stored to prolong their deliciousness. For optimal freshness and to prevent them from drying out, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator after the first day. They will last for up to 5 days. You can gently warm them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving to bring back that fresh-baked feel.
• Don’t Overmix: When combining your wet and dry ingredients, mix just until the flour streaks disappear. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough, dense donuts rather than light and fluffy ones.
• Cooling Patience: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for the recommended 10 minutes before attempting to remove them. This cooling time allows them to set and firm up, preventing them from breaking apart when transferred.
• Grease Your Pan Thoroughly: Even with a non-stick pan, a generous spray of cooking spray is essential to ensure easy release of your delicate donuts. Pay attention to the center “hole” part of the pan as well.

Similar Recipes You’ll Also Enjoy:

If you loved these apple crumb donuts, you’re in for a treat with these other delightful recipes:

• PUMPKIN SPICE DONUTS WITH BROWN SUGAR BUTTERCREAM ICING: A fall favorite bursting with warm spices.
• Double Chocolate Banana Pudding Loaf: A rich, moist loaf cake that’s perfect for a sweet craving.
• Blueberry Lemon Waffles: Light and zesty, an ideal breakfast or brunch option.