Warm caramel, crisp apple, and donut shop sweetness all rolled into one perfect bite. I made these for a chilly backyard gathering last October, and not a single pop made it past the bonfire. They’re messy in the best way, fun to eat, and surprisingly simple to pull together. If fall had a snack on a stick, this would be it.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops
These caramel apple donut cake pops bring together all the cozy flavors we crave in fall: rich apple, buttery caramel, and salty peanuts. But here’s the twist—they start with donuts. That means no cake baking, no cooling time, and no crumb-coating fuss. Just crumble, roll, and coat.
You’ll love how quick and forgiving this recipe is, especially for parties, potlucks, or a family treat night. Plus, the combo of soft inside and sticky-sweet outside makes each bite feel like a mini caramel apple with extra joy.
What You’ll Need (Ingredients & Tools)
Main Ingredients
- Apple fritters or glazed cider donuts – these give you a soft, spiced base
- Apple butter – adds moisture and flavor
- Vanilla bean paste – richer than extract and totally worth it
- Werther’s Original chewy caramels – reliable melt and great flavor
- Heavy cream – helps smooth out the caramel
- Chopped peanuts – for crunch and that classic caramel apple touch
Optional Add-ins and Tools
- Cake pop or lollipop sticks – not necessary but fun
- Mini cupcake liners – great for serving or gifting
- Optional toppings – crushed pretzels, sprinkles, or mini chocolate chips work great too
How to Make Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 – Crumble and Bind the Donuts
Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment and lightly grease it.
Cut your donuts into chunks and crumble them using a stand mixer or your hands. It’s okay if there are small lumps—just aim for a moist, coarse texture.
Add the vanilla bean paste, then slowly mix in apple butter. Stop once the mixture feels like thick cookie dough. You might need less if your donuts are really glazed or moist.
Step 2 – Roll and Chill the Dough Balls
Use a small cookie scoop (about 1 ounce) to portion the dough. Roll each portion into a ball.
Melt a few caramels with a bit of cream in the microwave. Dip the tip of each stick in the warm caramel, then insert halfway into each dough ball.
This helps keep the stick in place.
Freeze the pops for about 15–20 minutes. This firms them up and makes caramel-coating easier.
Step 3 – Coat with Caramel and Toppings
While the pops chill, chop your peanuts and prep your liners.
In a small saucepan, melt the rest of the caramels with the remaining cream over low heat. Stir constantly until smooth.
Take a dough pop and use a spoon to twirl caramel over the top. Don’t dunk the whole thing—just coat the top and sides.
Immediately roll or press into chopped peanuts, then place the pop upright in a mini liner.
Repeat, then chill all pops in the fridge to set. Let them sit at room temp for 10 minutes before eating so the caramel softens slightly.
Tips for Best Results
- Add apple butter slowly. Donuts vary in moisture, so you might need less than expected. Too wet? Stir in a spoonful of flour or instant vanilla pudding mix to tighten the dough.
- Don’t skip the stick dip. That first touch of caramel helps the stick stay in place.
- Work in batches. Caramel can harden quickly, so coat a few pops at a time.
- Chill, then rest. A quick fridge chill firms them up, but a short rest makes them easier to bite.
Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops Recipe Card (Full Recipe)
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Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops – Easy & Fun Fall Treat
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 pops
Description
Caramel Apple Donut Cake Pops are sweet, sticky, and full of fall flavor. This fun dessert comes together quickly using apple fritters or cider donuts and gets dipped in warm caramel with a crunchy peanut coating.
Ingredients
12 apple fritters or glazed apple cider donuts
2–4 tablespoons apple butter (added gradually)
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
10 oz Werther’s Original chewy caramels
3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Chopped peanuts (for coating)
Cake pop or lollipop sticks (optional)
Mini cupcake liners (optional)
Instructions
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. Cut donuts into bite-sized pieces and crumble them using a mixer.
3. Add vanilla bean paste and gradually add apple butter until mixture forms a cookie dough–like texture.
4. Roll the mixture into balls using a 1-ounce cookie scoop.
5. Microwave about 8 caramels with 1 tablespoon of heavy cream in 10-second intervals until melted.
6. Dip cake pop sticks into the melted caramel and insert halfway into each dough ball.
7. Optional: Freeze dough balls with sticks for 15–20 minutes to firm up.
8. Chop peanuts and prep mini cupcake liners.
9. In a saucepan, melt the remaining caramels and cream over low heat, stirring until smooth.
10. Spoon caramel over each dough ball (do not submerge fully), turning to coat.
11. Immediately roll in chopped peanuts and place each in a liner.
12. Chill in refrigerator until firm. Let sit 10 minutes at room temp before serving.
Notes
Add apple butter slowly—donuts vary in moisture.
If dough feels too wet, add flour or instant vanilla pudding to adjust.
Try other toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips, or crushed pretzels.
Serve slightly softened from fridge for easier biting.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
More Such Recipes
Looking for more fall-treat ideas? Try these next:
- These soft and chewy caramel apple cookies perfect for fall taste like a cozy hug.
- For maple lovers, these pumpkin cookies with a maple glaze for cozy autumn vibes are a must.
- Want something bite-sized and low-carb? These mini keto pumpkin pies that pair well with caramel-themed treats are delicious and festive.
- And if you’re curious, here’s how to make quick and easy homemade pumpkin butter that you can use instead of apple butter here.
FAQ
Can you use cake pop sticks for caramel apples?
Yes! Cake pop sticks are sturdy enough for mini-sized caramel apples and perfect for donut pops like these.
Are cake pops hard to make?
Not at all. Especially this version—no baking, no special molds. It’s as simple as crumble, mix, roll, and dip.
How to bake chocolate cake pops?
You’d start with a baked chocolate cake, crumble it, mix with frosting, then roll and dip just like these. But for this recipe, no baking is needed.
What are the best tasting apples for caramel apples?
Granny Smith is the go-to for their tart crunch, but Honeycrisp and Fuji are also delicious for sweetness.
Final Thoughts
These caramel apple donut cake pops are fun to make, easy to serve, and full of cozy fall flavor. They’re perfect for parties, bake sales, or just a sweet weekend treat. Try them with different donuts or toppings and make them your own.
Want more seasonal ideas? Follow along here:
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