These Gingerbread Donuts with Gingerbread Glaze offer an exquisite blend of warm spices and deep, rich molasses, making them the quintessential holiday breakfast treat. Baked to perfection, they are an easy and utterly delightful way to bring festive cheer to your table.

Contents

Gingerbread Donuts with Gingerbread Glaze: Your Essential Holiday Treat

As December ushers in its festive magic, there’s one flavor that truly encapsulates the spirit of the season: gingerbread. The intoxicating aroma of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves dancing through the air is a hallmark of holiday baking, inviting warmth and nostalgia into every home. This year, we’re taking that beloved gingerbread essence and transforming it into an irresistible breakfast delight: baked Gingerbread Donuts, crowned with a luscious Gingerbread Glaze. Get ready to fall in love with these perfectly spiced, wonderfully soft donuts that promise to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions.

The Irresistible Charm of Gingerbread: A Flavor Profile for the Holidays

Gingerbread is more than just a flavor; it’s an experience. It evokes images of cozy evenings, crackling fires, and joyful gatherings. Our gingerbread donuts capture this magic with a meticulously balanced blend of warming spices. Ground ginger takes center stage, providing that distinctive peppery warmth, beautifully complemented by the sweet, woody notes of cinnamon and a hint of exotic cloves. But the true depth of flavor comes from dark molasses and brown sugar, which contribute a caramelized sweetness and a moist, tender crumb that sets these donuts apart. Every bite is a symphony of holiday cheer, a perfect harmony of sweetness and spice that lingers pleasantly on the palate.

This deep, complex flavor profile is what makes these donuts an ideal companion to your morning coffee or tea, transforming a simple breakfast into a special occasion. They’re also robust enough to stand as a delightful dessert, perhaps with a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of extra cinnamon. The Gingerbread Glaze is no mere afterthought; it’s an extension of the donut’s essence, infused with its own hints of cinnamon and ginger, creating a cohesive and utterly addictive treat that’s hard to resist. You’ve been warned: stopping at just one is a true test of willpower!

Why Baked Donuts Are a Holiday Game-Changer

While traditional fried donuts have their place, opting for baked donuts, especially during the busy holiday season, offers several compelling advantages:

A Simpler, Healthier Approach to Sweet Treats

Healthier Indulgence: One of the primary benefits of baked donuts is that they are significantly lighter than their fried counterparts. This means you can enjoy the deliciousness of a donut without the heavy feeling, perhaps even allowing for a second one without guilt! It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a sweet treat that feels a little bit better for you.
Effortless Preparation: Say goodbye to hot oil, splatters, and the lingering smell of frying. Baking donuts is a clean, straightforward process that requires minimal fuss. It’s perfect for busy mornings or when you want to whip up something special without the usual stress of deep-frying.
Consistent Texture: Baked donuts consistently deliver a wonderfully cake-like, moist texture. They’re soft, tender, and perfectly pillowy, providing a comforting bite that complements their rich flavor.
The Magic of the Donut Pan: This recipe is designed for a donut pan, making the process incredibly easy and fun. Filling the pan is simple, and the donuts bake into perfect, uniform rings every time. If you don’t own one, it’s a worthwhile investment for any baking enthusiast looking to explore the world of baked treats. This tool transforms donut making from a daunting task into a quick, enjoyable activity, which is exactly what we need during the bustling month of December.

Versatility and Perfect Pairings for Your Gingerbread Donuts

These gingerbread donuts are incredibly versatile, making them suitable for a multitude of holiday occasions. Imagine them as the star of your Christmas morning breakfast, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces. They’re equally perfect for a festive brunch, a delightful afternoon snack with a cup of robust coffee or spiced chai, or even as an unexpected holiday dessert. And let’s not forget Santa! After a long night delivering presents and perhaps one too many cookies, a fresh, baked gingerbread donut with its comforting glaze would surely be a welcome and much-appreciated treat.

Consider serving these donuts alongside a mug of homemade hot cocoa, a sophisticated spiced apple cider, or a classic latte. For a more elaborate presentation, you can arrange them on a festive platter, perhaps with a sprinkle of additional cinnamon or finely chopped candied ginger for an extra touch of elegance. Their beautiful color and enticing aroma make them a wonderful edible gift for neighbors, friends, or colleagues, spreading holiday cheer one delicious bite at a time.

Crafting Your Perfect Gingerbread Donuts: Tips for Success

Achieving bakery-quality baked donuts at home is simpler than you might think. Here are a few tips to ensure your Gingerbread Donuts turn out perfectly every time:

Ingredients at Room Temperature: For the smoothest batter and best texture, ensure your egg and buttermilk are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate more evenly into the other ingredients, preventing lumps and ensuring a tender crumb.
Don’t Overmix: When combining your wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is moistened. Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough, dense donuts. A few small lumps are perfectly fine!
Filling Your Donut Pan Easily: For a clean and easy way to fill your donut pan, transfer the batter to a piping bag (or a sturdy zip-top bag with a corner snipped off). This allows for precise control and prevents messy spills, ensuring your donuts have that classic neat ring shape. Fill each cavity about two-thirds full.
The Art of Glazing: Once your donuts have cooled slightly, dip them into the prepared glaze. For an even coating, gently invert each donut into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off before placing it on a wire rack. If you prefer a thicker glaze, let the first layer set slightly before dipping a second time.
Cooling is Key: While it’s tempting to devour them straight from the oven, allowing the donuts to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack is crucial. This helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking apart. Ensure they are fully cooled before glazing for the best results, as glazing hot donuts will result in a thin, runny coating.

Elevate Your Holiday Baking with Homemade Gingerbread Donuts

There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of creating a special treat from scratch, especially one that fills your home with such inviting aromas. These Gingerbread Donuts with Gingerbread Glaze are more than just a recipe; they’re an invitation to slow down, savor the season, and share something truly delicious with those you love. Whether you’re making them for a festive breakfast, a holiday party, or simply to enjoy a cozy moment, these donuts are guaranteed to bring warmth and joy. So preheat your oven, gather your spices, and get ready to bake up a batch of holiday happiness!

Gingerbread Donuts with Gingerbread Glaze

Author: Mary Ann Dwyer

Servings: 8 donuts

These Gingerbread Donuts with Gingerbread Glaze have the rich, deep flavors of ginger and molasses. They’re the perfect holiday breakfast treat!

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 8 mins

Total Time: 23 mins

Ingredients

Donuts

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp. molasses
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
2-3 Tbsp. whole milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Spray donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.
In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
In small bowl mix together egg, molasses, brown sugar, buttermilk and vegetable oil. Add to dry ingredients and mix just until moistened.
Spoon batter into prepared donut pan.
Bake for 8 minutes or until baked through and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully removing from pan to a wire rack.
For glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and milk until smooth. Add more milk, if needed, to reach your desired consistency (thick enough to coat, but still pourable). Invert each donut into the glaze, letting excess drip off. Place on wire rack and top with sprinkles, if desired. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Keyword: Christmas, donut, Gingerbread, holiday

Cuisine: American

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Before your first bite, snap a photo and share! If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Be sure to follow and tag @thebeachhousekitchen or use the hashtag #thebeachhousekitchen!