Apple Doughnuts with Coconut Oil & Zest

Today has been awful. Sat at the doctors office for 2 hours, just to hear the doctor say that Lola has a cold and needs to drink more fluids and eat chicken noodle soup. So just so you know, that is what 2 hours will get you. Thinking its time we switch doctors. 

While I ponder that, and the fact that yesterday was my birthday and I just feel old, here is a healthy doughnut recipe that is a great alternative to the fried variety we all kind of really love. Packed with shredded apples keeps this doughnut light and moist. 

Apple Doughnuts with Coconut Oil and Lemon Zest
Makes 8

1 cup of flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
⅓ cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
1 large egg
½ cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅔ cup peeled and shredded apple
½ teaspoon lemon zest
powdered sugar for topping *optional

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and move your rack to the upper third of the oven. Lightly grease the doughnut pan and set aside.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Melt 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in the microwave for 45 seconds. Set aside.

Whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Add the melted coconut oil and combine. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Add the shredded apple, and fold to combine.

Fill the doughnut pan ¾ full with batter. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden. Place on a wire rack and let cool.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.