As the days get longer and the nights get cold, autumn reminds us that it’s OK to fire up the oven again. Since you won’t be sweating anyone out of those house when you preheat to 425 degrees, take advantage of the temperate season and fill the house with the intoxicating aroma of homemade baked goods.
There’s nothing like a sweet treat in the fall, but the pies, lattes, and candies are usually calorie bombs that you could frankly do without. With Halloween, October might just be the sweetest month of the year. But our sweet treats spare you the sugar and calories normally associated with confections. And you better believe we never skimp on the novelty.
We’ve dreamed up five simple, healthy, and scrumptious donut recipes that will fill your home and belly with fall feel-goodness. Our donut recipe collection is the perfect complement to the cravings associated with fall: warm, sweet, ooey-gooey fun. Even more impressive, none of the donuts rely on the typical “pumpkin spice” crutch so often seen in October. Leave the pumpkin guts to the kids, you’ve got some baking to do!
Unless you’re a teenager or child, you can’t enjoy a donut without some post sugar-high guilt. For the food conscious who have a sweet tooth, these hearty gems are the perfect fit. The donuts have real apples, whole wheat flour batter, and a decadent and textured streusel topping. With this perfect weekend-long snack, you can practically afford to eat two in a row at 155 calories each.
Ultimate Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Stuffed Donut
People will stuff anything in a donut these days: chocolate, cream cheese, jelly—and those are the misdemeanor offenders. Paula Deen and state fair chefs have been known to use glazed donuts as burger buns, a horrifying sandwich that can tip the calorie scale. So we decided to create a stuffed donut with clean, lean, hormone-free bacon. We decided not to stop there, so we threw in scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese. The result? A mouthwatering, 148-calorie stuffed donut.
Peanut butter + jelly = donuts—a match made in heaven, am I right? Before you start fretting over calories, allow me to ease your mind: these are only 170 each. Almond butter, quinoa flour, and stevia powder comprise the light and fluffy donut texture. When the tangy raspberry jam mingles with subtle notes of vanilla and cinnamon, you’ll feel like a kid on Saturday afternoon.
Blue Cornbread Donuts Stuffed with Andouille Sausage and Peppers
These meaty donuts are the result of a personal challenge I gave to our managing editor, Brandi. I asked her to make a healthy state fair-like concoction, and she came through with this blue cornbread donut for 186 calories. The down-home batter is as pleasant as a country campfire and the organic, natural chicken sausage is well seasoned and juicy. The bitterness and acidity of the peppers and onions complement the light sweetness of the cornbread and slight spice of the sausage. Brandi 1, Patrick 0.
Baked Chocolate Peppermint Donuts
You’ll want to serve these puppies all winter long. The kids (and you) will love these delectable and healthy donuts. The batter contains whole wheat flour, low-fat buttermilk, and heart-healthy cocoa powder. Throw some chocolate chips into the mix, dust it all with crushed candy canes, and you’ve got a seriously decadent donut on your hands. But not on your conscious; each donut contains a mere 176 calories.
Also Read:
5 Ways to Add Big, Low-Calorie Flavor with Roasted Red Peppers
Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
99-Cent Baker’s Dozen eCookbook with 13 Healthier Breakfast & Brunch Recipes