Saturday Mornings are Made for Donuts – September Saturday Mornings are made for Maple Latte Donuts!
I wish I could tell you we’re waking up to lovely crisp Fall mornings here in Tennessee, but alas, it’s still 65 degrees and muggy. We are getting closer to my favorite season, though, and I can’t wait any longer to start sharing some Autumn Recipes! These Maple Latte Donuts are baked and so easy to make. They are the perfect combination of crumble and cake-like texture. I couldn’t believe how scrumptious they turned out. The coffee flavor adds this rich depth to the donut, plus a little kick to the glaze! I think you’re gonna love them!
Why Baked Donuts are Easier (and Better!) Than Fried
When you think of donuts, the first thing that comes to mind might be the deep-fried versions found in bakeries and coffee shops. While there’s no denying the deliciousness of a classic fried donut, the idea of deep frying at home can be intimidating. That’s where baked donuts come in to save the day. Not only are they easier to make, but they also come with a few perks that might make you prefer them over their fried counterparts.
Quick and Convenient: Baked donuts require minimal prep and cook time. Unlike frying, which involves heating the oil and frying batches, you can bake an entire batch of donuts in just one go. (If you have more than one donut pan… I only have one, so I’m still doing batches, lol, just in the oven.)
Less Mess: Baked donuts eliminate the need for hot oil and the inevitable splatter that comes with frying. You don’t have to worry about oil temperature, and there’s no greasy cleanup afterward. Just pop them in the oven, and you’re done!
Healthier Option: Baking the donuts means you skip the extra oil, resulting in a lighter treat. You still get that satisfying donut texture without the added fat from frying.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Baked Donuts
While baked donuts are straightforward, a few tricks can help you achieve that perfect donut shape and texture.
Non-Stick Matters: Even if your donut pan is non-stick, it’s a good idea to grease it lightly. This ensures the donuts pop out easily after baking and retain their shape. I have a Wilton Non-Stick pan that I love and highly recommend!
Use a Donut Pan: A donut pan is essential for baked donuts. It gives them that classic donut shape without needing to fry. If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin and create a makeshift hole using a piece of crumpled foil placed in the center of each cup.
Pipe the Batter: One of the easiest ways to get the batter into the donut pan without a mess is by piping it. Spoon the batter into a large zip-top bag, snip off one corner, and pipe the batter into each donut cavity. This method ensures even filling and a smooth surface on each donut.
Don’t Overfill: To get that classic donut shape, fill each cavity about 3/4 full. Overfilling can cause the donuts to puff up too much and lose their hole in the center. I always overfill. Always! Even after repeatedly telling myself only to fill them part way, I still get too much in there. You could even get away with only filling them half-full with this batter.
Maple Latte: The Ultimate Fall Flavor
Maple and coffee are two flavors that evoke a sense of warmth and comfort. Combined, they create a delightful balance of sweetness and richness that feels perfect for fall. The maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and a hint of earthiness, while the coffee brings depth and a slight bitterness to balance it out.
These donuts are like enjoying your favorite maple latte in a new form—soft, tender, and topped with a maple glaze that has a subtle coffee undertone. It’s a flavor combination that warms you from the inside out, making it the perfect treat for cool autumn mornings.
This recipe turned out so well, I’m excited to try some other Fall Flavors too – next up Spiced Apple Cider? Pumpkin Spice? I already have a recipe for Old Fashioned Sourdough Donuts if you’d like to check it out! It’s one of my most popular recipes on the blog!
Getting the Kids Involved: Glazing Fun
One of the most enjoyable parts of making baked donuts is glazing them, and it’s the perfect step to involve little helpers in the kitchen. Once the donuts have cooled and your glaze is ready, set up a glazing station where kids can dunk the donuts into the glaze. You can also provide sprinkles, crushed nuts, or chocolate chips for them to sprinkle on top while the glaze is still wet.
Not only does this make the process more interactive and fun, but it also creates a beautiful variety of donuts that everyone can enjoy. Kids love being a part of the kitchen action, and this is a safe and mess-friendly way to let them help out.
These donuts pair wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee or tea, making them an ideal breakfast treat or afternoon snack. The warm flavors of maple and coffee make them the perfect companion for a chilly fall day, whether you’re enjoying them at home with family or sharing them at a cozy gathering.
Ultimately, these maple latte baked donuts offer all the satisfaction of a classic donut with the ease and simplicity of baking. They bring together the beloved flavors of fall in a fun and family-friendly way, making them a must-try this season. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your little helpers, and let the sweet, comforting aroma of maple and coffee fill your kitchen this fall.
Soft baked donuts infused with rich coffee and sweet maple syrup, topped with a luscious glaze, perfect for a fall morning treat.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time12 minutesmins
Cooling and Frosting10 minutesmins
Total Time37 minutesmins
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Servings: 12donuts
Equipment
Donut pan
Mixing Bowls
Whisk
Sifter
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Spatula
Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
1 1/4cupsall-purpose flour
1/2cupbrown sugar
1tspbaking powder
1/4tspbaking soda
1/4tspsalt
1/2tspground cinnamon
1/4tspground nutmeg
1/2cupwhole milkor any milk of your choice
1/4cupbrewed strong coffee or espresso
1/4cupmaple syrup
1/4cupunsalted buttermelted
1large egg
1tspvanilla extract
For the Maple Glaze:
1cuppowdered sugar
2tbspmaple syrup
2-3tbspbrewed coffee or milkadjust for consistency
A pinch of salt
Optional: A few drops of vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, combine the milk, brewed coffee or espresso, maple syrup, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
Combine Mixtures:
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined—be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donuts tough.
Fill Donut Pan:
Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
Bake:
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool:
Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Glaze:
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, brewed coffee or milk, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more coffee or milk if needed. Add a few drops of vanilla extract if desired.
Glaze the Donuts:
Once the donuts have cooled, dip the tops into the maple glaze. Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack to set.
Serve:
Serve the donuts with a hot cup of coffee for a perfect breakfast or snack treat!
As a part of the Amazon Affiliate program, I have the opportunity to share products and items that I genuinely find useful or interesting. When you come across links to these products on my blog, they're not just recommendations based on my personal experience or research; they also serve a dual purpose. If you decide to click on these links and make a purchase, I earn a small commission from Amazon at no additional cost to you.
This setup helps me to keep generating content that you find helpful and engaging, without bombarding you with irrelevant ads or sponsors. It's a win-win situation: you discover products that could add value to your life, and I get a little support to continue doing what I love. Rest assured, the integrity of my recommendations remains my top priority. I only share links to items that I believe in, and that I think could make a difference for you.
Thank you for your support and understanding. Your trust means the world to me, and I'm committed to maintaining transparency about how I fund my blog. If you have any questions about the Amazon Affiliate program or how it works, feel free to reach out.