Grinch-Themed Caramel Apple Donuts
These Grinch-Themed Caramel Apple Donuts are soft and buttery Christmas treat recipe that’s perfect for breakfast or snack. It’s a great holiday baking activity idea to make with your kids.
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If you are also looking for edible Christmas gift to make, this Grinch-Themed Caramel Apple Donuts is perfect too.
You may also want to try my No-Bake Reindeer Mini Donuts and Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies.
How to Make Grinch-Themed Caramel Apple Donuts
Ingredients you’ll need For the Donut Batter
Ingredients you’ll need for the glaze
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Don’t forget to spray your donut pan with baking spray.
2. In a saucepan, melt your butter and let it cook until you see brown bits forming.
3. Mix the Batter. Transfer your browned butter to a mixing bowl and whisk in the brown sugar. Once that’s combined, add the egg and heavy whipping cream, whisking until smooth.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients. Sift in the flour and baking powder. Stir until you have a batter that resembles pancake batter.
5. Grab your piping bag and snip the end. Pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
6. Pop the pan in the oven and bake for about 14 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. While the donuts are baking, whip up the glaze. In a separate bowl, combine the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and apple flavoring. Whisk until you achieve a smooth, slightly thick consistency. If it’s too thick, add more cream or milk, a teaspoon at a time.
8. Add green food dye to your glaze. Start with just a drop or two, mixing until you reach that vibrant Grinch-like green!
9. Once the donuts are out of the oven, let them cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes. Then, dip each donut into the green glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. Place them back on the rack and top with a cute red heart sprinkle!
10. Allow the glaze to harden at room temperature.
Serve and Enjoy!
Important Recipe Notes
- Let the butter melt slowly until you see brown bits forming. This adds a nutty, rich flavor to the donuts.
- Don’t Overfill the Pan: Fill each donut cavity about ¾ full. Overfilling can cause the donuts to overflow while baking.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Oven times may vary, so keep an eye on them.
- The glaze should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, add a teaspoon of heavy cream at a time until smooth.
- Let donuts cool for at least 15 minutes before dipping. Warm donuts can cause the glaze to slide off.
- In adding Green Food Dye, start with a drop or two. You can always add more to reach the bright Grinch-green color.
- Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best eaten fresh.
- You can drizzle a little caramel over the green glaze for extra festive flair.
Grinch-Themed Caramel Apple Donuts
Ingredients
For the Donut Batter:
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and browned
- 1 egg
- ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
For the Glaze:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons apple flavoring or extract
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- Green food dye
For the Toppings:
- Red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Don’t forget to spray your donut pan with baking spray.
- In a saucepan, melt your butter and let it cook until you see brown bits forming.
- Mix the Batter. Transfer your browned butter to a mixing bowl and whisk in the brown sugar. Once that’s combined, add the egg and heavy whipping cream, whisking until smooth.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients. Sift in the flour and baking powder. Stir until you have a batter that resembles pancake batter—smooth and ready to go!
- Grab your piping bag and snip the end. Pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
- Pop the pan in the oven and bake for about 14 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- While the donuts are baking, whip up the glaze. In a separate bowl, combine the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and apple flavoring. Whisk until you achieve a smooth, slightly thick consistency. If it’s too thick, add more cream or milk, a teaspoon at a time.
- Add green food dye to your glaze. Start with just a drop or two, mixing until you reach that vibrant Grinch-like green!
- Once the donuts are out of the oven, let them cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes. Then, dip each donut into the green glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. Place them back on the rack and top with a cute red heart sprinkle!
- Allow the glaze to harden at room temperature.
