Directions for Donuts:
Lightly grease a doughnut pan and preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla extract. Beat in the softened butter.
Whisk together the dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl then add in the wet ingredients.
Fold in the grated apple until just combined (donâ??t overmix!)
Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for about 8-10 minutes until they are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and turnout onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely.
Directions for topping:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, half and half and salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes while whisking gently until the mixture thickens. Add the vanilla and cook for 1 minute more.
Turn off the heat and let set for 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture over the cooled donuts. Sprinkle immediately with chopped walnuts.