Amazing Baked Maple Donuts

I'm not much of a donut eater (weird, right?), but my kids certainly are. My daughter loves Krispy Kreme donuts, so on occasion, we'll stop for a special treat when the hot donut sign is on. They aren't the healthiest, but I believe in splurging every once in a while.

These baked maple donuts are a healthier alternative to fried donuts, which are usually loaded with saturated fat and sugar. I replaced most fat with Siggi's skyr yogurt and used natural maple sugar to sweeten things up. I also baked the donuts instead of deep-frying which lightens up the recipe.

Inspired by an Ina Garten recipe, these tender, and fluffy maple-glazed baked donuts are so good, you won't want to share! While you're here, check out these moist vanilla protein donuts, strawberry protein donuts, and blueberry protein donuts for more guilt-free desserts.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick, easy and can be mixed by hand.
• It's flexible and super easy to customize when different spices, glazes, frostings and toppings.
• Baked donuts are better for you than deep-fried yet just as delicious.
• THE GLAZE.

Ingredients You'll Need

For the donuts:

• Unbleached White Whole Wheat Flour: I like King Arthur brand unbleached white whole wheat flour. White whole wheat flour has a lighter color and taste than whole wheat flour, but you can use either.
• Maple Sugar: is made by cooking maple syrup down until all of the moisture has evaporated. It's naturally sweeter than granulated sugar, so you don't need to use as much.
• Baking Soda AND Baking Powder: They act as leavening agents and help the donuts rise.
• Salt: strengthens the donut dough and enhances the flavors.
• Cinnamon & Nutmeg: This simple spice blend adds cozy, warming spices.
• Egg: adds rich flavor, color and helps hold the donuts together. Your egg should be at room temperature for the best results.
• Vanilla Greek Yogurt: I used Sigg's vanilla Skyr yogurt but feel free to use one of your favorites. You can also use plain Greek yogurt, but I recommend adding a bit more vanilla extract.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: brings moisture, sweetness and flavor to the dough.
• Whole Milk: is non-negotiable in baked donuts. It helps make a decadent, incredibly tender donut.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: moistens the dough and helps the donuts become golden brown in the oven.
• Vanilla Extract: enhances and adds flavor. You could also use almond extract or a little bit of each.

For the glaze:

• Unsalted Butter: helps make a silky, glossy donut glaze.
• Maple Sugar: sweetens while adding maple-y flavor.
• Bourbon Vanilla Powder: You can also use regular vanilla powder.
• Half & Half: loosens the glaze up, so it's smooth, creamy, and easy to drizzle.

How To Make Baked Maple Donuts with Maple Glaze

Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare donut pan.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a donut pan with cooking spray, and then sprinkle an even layer of flour over each mold, coating all sides.

Step 2: Whisk dry ingredients.

In a large-sized bowl, stir the flour, maple sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg together with a whisk.

Step 3: Whisk wet ingredients.

In a separate bowl, whisk the beaten egg, yogurt, applesauce, milk, EVOO and vanilla together until well combined.

Step 4: Stir dry and wet mixture together.

Add the wet mixture to the bowl with the dry mixture and stir until combined. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides and incorporate everything together well.

Step 5: Pour batter and bake.

Pour the batter into your greased pan, dividing it evenly between the 6 molds. Transfer the donut pan to your preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean with a few crumbs.

Step 6: Cool.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes in the donut pan. Then, move the donuts to a cooling rack to finish cooling while you make the glaze.

How To Make Maple Glaze For Donuts

Step 7: Melt butter.

Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until it has just melted (it should only take a few seconds).

Step 8: Melt maple sugar.

Stir the maple sugar into the melted butter and let the mixture sit for a few minutes while the sugar dissolves.

Step 9: Stir in remaining ingredients and warm.

Stir in the vanilla powder and half and half and return the bowl to the microwave for 10 more seconds (or until the glaze is smooth and drippy).

Step 10: Drizzle and serve.

Drizzle maple glaze over your freshly baked donuts and serve.

Recipe Tips

• Measure your ingredients accurately for the perfect consistency every time.
• Don't overmix the batter! You could end up with chewy donuts.
• Don't forget to grease your donut pan and grease it well, or your donuts will stick. You can use cooking spray with flour in it, like Baker's Joy brand, or butter.
• For thick, fluffy donuts, fill each mold at least ⅔rds of the way full.
• Keep an eye on the oven and bake the donuts all the way through. Be sure to let them cool completely before drizzling with the glaze.

Variations & Topping Ideas

Feel free to treat this baked donut recipe as a blank canvas and make it your own. The variations listed below are delicious!

Warming Spices: I kept it simple with cinnamon and nutmeg, but you can also add ginger, coriander, or clove. Pumpkin pie spice would also be great in these donuts.

Glaze Variations: Instead of maple glaze, you can use any store-bought icing or frosting here. Cream cheese frosting and buttercream frosting are great. However, making it from scratch is well worth it. Baked maple donuts are also delicious topped with these homemade frostings:

• Nutella Frosting
• Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
• Sugar Cookie Icing
• Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Toppings: You can also sprinkle your maple donuts with various toppings. Be sure to add the toppings while the maple glaze is still warm, so they stick.

• Bacon crumbles
• Pecans or walnuts
• More maple sugar
• Cinnamon sugar
• Toffee
• Chocolate sprinkles
• Powdered sugar

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Donuts are always best fresh from the oven. If you happen to have a few extra donuts to store, you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature overnight or store them in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing: If freezing, hold off on the glaze until you're ready to serve. To freeze, allow the donuts to cool to room temperature and then place on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for a few hours or until the donuts are frozen solid, and then transfer them to an airtight bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

More Maple Recipes

Maple Shortbread Cookies

Maple Bacon Protein Pancakes

Roasted Maple Pears

Mascarpone Stuffed Dates with Maple Drizzle

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