Apple Donuts Healthy Foodie Party Treat
January 15, 2019
Tinting frosting with gel for apple donuts a healthy foodie party treat

Healthy treats kids will love apple donutsApple Donuts a Healthy Foodie Party Treat

I am so excited to share a new obsession. APPLE DONUTS! You may or may not know that I am a healthy foodie. You may be asking yourself what on earth that means because it certainly does seem like a contradiction. But I'm in love with REAL food that tastes SO GOOD and is also fueling my body. The biggest problem area for me are sweet treats. Especially party treats. I stay away from dessert buffets but will indulge in sweetness for the right occasion. After the holidays this year I'm on a sugar detox and my 8 year old daughter accepted a no sweets challenge. I thought it would be fun to surprise her with an tasty after school treat that wouldn't blow either of our resolutions.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Apple donuts are a delicious way to keep your no sweets resolution!” quote=”Apple donuts are a delicious way to keep your no sweets resolution!”]

Pinterest Challenge

Apple donuts on marble background

I've wanted to try apple donuts for years actually after coming across this post from Hello Wonderful and thought it the perfect recipe for our January Pinterest challenge. The idea behind the Pinterest Challenge is to stop merely pinning great ideas but to actually DO them. It's been a wonderful way to stay creative and try new things. Join me next time for our monthly Pinterest Challenge hosted by Erlene at My Pinterventures.

Apple Donut Ingredients

Simple ingredients for apple donuts a healthy foodie party treat

It doesn't take a lot to make these pretties.

  • Apples of choice, I prefer Honeycrisp
  • Whipped cream cheese, or softened boxed cream cheese
  • Food coloring, I prefer gel
  • Toothpicks {if using gel food color}
  • Apple corer, I used this cupcake plunger
  • Sprinkles, No Sugar Stevia sprinkles available at Whole Foods
  • Cutting Board
  • Knife

Step 1: Select Perfect Apples

Nicely shaped apple to make apple donuts a healthy foodie party treat

Now this may seem silly but I promise it'll make things go more smoothly if you look for a round apple that sits straight. If the core is crooked your donut “hole” won't be in the center of the apple ring. It's little things like that can make a difference between a fun project and frustration.

Step 2: Prepare the “Frosting”

Tinting frosting with gel for apple donuts a healthy foodie party treat

Now you might want to dive right in and start cutting apples but you'll want to have your frosting ready to go because the apple slices start to brown as soon as they are cut. So have your frosting ready to go first.

I started with whipped cream cheese so it was already soft and fluffy but only to save time. I usually prefer to use the block cream cheese and whip it after it softens myself. “Frosting” is in quotation marks because there isn't anything else you to add. If you're looking for a sweeter treat you could add some honey or agave nectar. You can even add powdered Swerve or monk fruit extract for a little sweetness but still stay true to a no or low sugar lifestyle.

Step 3: Add Food Coloring

Tinting frosting with gel for apple donuts a healthy foodie party treat

I'm not the biggest fan of artificial coloring but there are times like this when it is absolutely necessary! ? My favorite kind BY FAR are gel colorants. A little goes a long way so be cautious. I use a toothpick to scoop up just a tiny bit and then roll the toothpick in the frosting until the toothpick is pretty clean. Cream cheese frosting for apple donuts a healthy foodie party treat

Then stir it up til the the color is completely incorporated. Having the different “lines” of color is easier to mix in for me than a huge puddle of drops. But that's a personal preference. I did use more pink than I wanted and instead of a powder pink I got a hot pink. Like I said, a little gel goes a LONG way. Start out smaller than you think. You can always add more with a new toothpick. {I don't recommend using the old gooey one again!}

Step 4: Slice ApplesApple slices to make apple donuts a healthy foodie party treat

Now we get to slice the apples! Using a sharp serrated knife {I LOVE my Cutco set! No affiliation….} carefully cut the apple horizontally into 1/4″ slices. Try to keep them as consistent as you can but it's fine if they vary a bit. Mine sure did! I also love this cutting board. Obviously! It's not very pretty. Don't judge. ?

* If you're not serving these right away you can soak the apples in a lemon water solution to help prevent browning.

Step 5: Core Apples 

Sliced and cored apples for apple donuts a healthy foodie party treat

This one may take some creativity. I have this handy dandy little cupcake plunger we use to add yummy things to the center of cupcakes. I realized it would work perfectly to core my apple slices. But if you don't happen to own a cupcake plunger, Hello Wonderful recommended using a metal frosting tip, or you could just use a knife to make the circle but it won't be as clean. Anywhere you cut will start to brown faster.

Step 6: Frost Donuts

Frosting apple slices for apple donuts a healthy foodie party treat

Next you'll be spreading the cream cheese frosting. I suggest you dry tops of each slice dry before attempting to spread or you'll leave is a trail of pink and blue slime. The frosting won't stick to the apple when it's damp but a simple paper towel dabbing solves the problem.

Step 7: Decorate!

apple donuts on a tray - a healthy foodie party treat

The donut favor boxes are another baby sprinkle project I'm working on.

Our final step is the most fun. You can make them look like donuts with simple sprinkles as we tried here. Or you can get fancy with other toppings. Our goal was to keep these as healthy as possible. These sprinkles are regular jimmies made with sugar so it did add a nominal amount of sugar. Which for my kids was the perfect balance. I also discovered sprinkles made with stevia at Whole Foods. If I find them anywhere else, I'll let you know!

Critics Agree….

Little boy enjoying apple donuts a healthy foodie party treat

They were even sweet enough for my rough and tumble preschooler!

My little critics {and even a big one} agree…these are a make again! Our tray of apple donuts didn't last long. The crunchy yet creamy, sweet and tart combination is a delight to the senses. Who would have thought something so simple, and HEALTHY would make such a fun treat!?

Pretty Enough for a Party

apple donuts on a tray - a healthy foodie party treat

And I can't lie that I'm pretty excited at how cute they are too! While I made this recipe as a surprise treat for my kiddos I was testing the ability to be a true party treat. One that people would actually enjoy at a Donut Party or a Baby Sprinkle. And you know what? We did it. Follow along as I discover more low sugar party treats in my quest as a healthy hostess!

These apple donuts are beautiful, tasty, and so easy to make. It fits all three requirements for a recipe worth saving in my book! You can save this simple recipe in Yummly or print it out below:

Pin it for Later

apple donuts a healthy foodie party treat

2019 Pinterest Challenge Posts

Until next time my friend,

To join next month's #pinterestchallenge, click here to sign-up ⇒ February Pinterest Challenge.


Now let's see what other things Pinterest inspired! Head over and visit the other hosts to see what they crafted, cooked, built, or tried!

Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop

Erlene – My Pinterventures • Jenny – Cookies Coffee and Crafts
Debbee – Debbee's Buzz • Laurie – My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies
Bri – Halfpint DesignKelli – K's Olympic Nest
Michelle – Our Crafty Mom •  Cherryl – Farm Girl Reformed
Beverly – Across the Boulevard • Debra – Shoppe No. 5
Roseann – This Autoimmune Life • Terri – Our Good Life
T'onna – Sew Crafty Crochet • Joanne – Our Unschooling Journey
Habiba – Craftify My Love
• Gail – Purple Hues and Me
Kristie – TeadoddlesLydia – Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen
Kristie – Love My Little Cottage
 
Alexandra – Eye Love Knots Marci – Stone Cottage Adventures
Ali – Home Crafts by Ali • Lauren – Mom Home Guide
Susan – Suzerspace • Audra – Renewed Projects


46 Comments

  1. Erlene

    My teens eat tons of apples and this would be a nice surprise for them after school. I can see my youngest daughter loving these.

    Reply
  2. Kelli

    Truth be told, Bri, I went into this thinking no to donuts as I am not a donut fan. But am so glad I clicked and read through this post. I think my husband and I would love this treat especially since I need to add fruit to my diet and my husband is trying to cut out sugar. Pinning!

    Reply
  3. Habiba

    Hi Bre, I haven#t been visiting your blog for a little while only to get surprised with this awesome recipe. At first, I thought you were making a joke as the frosting and the sprinkles looked so FULL of sugar. Ok, later on, I read that the sprinkles were, in fact, sugar but that you can get them in a stevia variation. Really need to see if we have those in Germany, but I highly doubt it. Love love love this inspiration and will try out the combination of apple and cream cheese soon.

    Reply
  4. Lydia from Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen

    What a clever idea! It would be awesome for a snack or to serve at a party. I like that it’s grain free, too, for kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy a donut.

    Reply
  5. Angie

    This is a super cute idea! My daughter loves apples. I’ll have to give this a try. Cute and yummy.

    Reply
  6. Lexington

    Okay these are seriously SO cute!!! And the colors make me think of a gender reveal party — they’d be the perfect treat! Yum!

    Reply
  7. Jenna

    So fun! I can’t wait to whip some of these babies up as an extra special afterschhol snack for the kiddos. Thanks so much for the idea!

    Reply
  8. Autumn

    These look so perfect for kiddos to join in the fun! Can’t wait to give them a try ?

    Reply
  9. Nancy

    Those are so cute! What a great idea…I think I may bring this to my next “work potluck” Simple yet effective!

    Reply
  10. Roseann Hampton

    What a fun, healthy snack! Such a great idea!

    Reply
  11. Julie

    These look amazing, so much fun. What a lovely idea, I love the photo of your little one tucking in too.

    Reply
  12. Debra

    What a wonderful idea for something a little sweet. Sometimes that is all it takes to satisfy the craving.

    Reply
  13. Caroline

    What an adorable (healthier than a donut!) treat! –

    Reply
  14. Debbee

    These look absolutely delicious — I’m soooo craving one…or two right now!

    Reply
  15. Emily

    These are adorable! I love that they’re so healthy, but they look like a sugary dessert.

    Reply
  16. Alma

    These look amazing! I think I will try this out for an upcoming baby shower.

    Reply
  17. Lori Goldman

    I have not started my sugar detox yet from the holidays, haha, but I’m totally going to make these! I need more “treat” ideas that are super low sugar for my daughter. And I can’t wait to hear more on your baby sprinkle ideas!

    Reply
  18. Susan

    You know, when I read your line about being on a sugar detox I thought “how’s that going to work with that frosting on the donuts”. The colored cream cheese really looks just like frosting!

    Reply
  19. Clair

    This is such an awesome idea! My kids would love these mock donuts with apple slices!

    Reply
  20. Mother of 3

    They sure are pretty! What a great treat any time of day. Pinned.

    Reply
  21. Jenny

    What a great after school treat, it’s such a pretty snack too. Yes a sugar detox after the holidays is a must!

    Reply

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Gingerbread houses in a row as table runner centerpiece for a Christmas Cookie Exchange Party I’m Bri of Parties With A Cause. I’m a mother to three crazy awesome kids, interior designer, & party planning junky. I love reading, globe trotting, and frozen yogurt. And I’m elevating the party experience one cause at a time! Read More

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