Description
These Apple Donuts are a festive and kid-friendly treat that look like real apples, made with a red glaze, pretzel stick stem, and mint leaf garnish. Perfect for back-to-school season, classroom parties, or fun family baking projects.
Ingredients
12 plain donuts (store-bought or homemade, fully cooled)
2 cups powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 drops red food coloring (or more as needed)
12 pretzel sticks (for stems)
12 fresh mint leaves (for leaves)
Optional Variations:
Cinnamon, nutmeg, or crushed graham crackers (for apple pie donuts)
Caramel drizzle (for caramel apple donuts)
Melted chocolate (for dipping)
Instructions
- Prepare the donuts: Place store-bought donuts on a wire rack over a baking sheet, or ensure homemade donuts are fully cooled before glazing.
- Make the glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth. Adjust milk for a thick but pourable consistency. Stir in red food coloring until evenly mixed.
- Glaze the donuts: Dip donut tops into the glaze, swirling for even coverage. Return to the rack and let excess drip off.
- Let the glaze set: Allow donuts to sit 20–30 minutes at room temperature until firm, or refrigerate 5–10 minutes for faster setting.
- Add the apple stem and leaf: Insert a pretzel stick into each donut top, then attach a mint leaf to resemble an apple leaf.
- Serve and enjoy: Arrange on a platter or package in boxes for gifting.
Notes
- Use mini donuts for bite-sized party treats.
- Substitute food coloring for different apple varieties (green, yellow, or mixed).
- To make vegan, use plant-based donuts, milk, and pretzel sticks.
- Best enjoyed fresh—avoid freezing once glazed.
- Add spices or drizzle caramel for creative flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Glazing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
