If you have a soft spot for sweet and savory breakfasts, then you are absolutely going to adore these Maple Bacon Donuts. Imagine tender, baked cake donuts with a hint of warm spices, generously coated in a glossy, luscious maple glaze, then crowned with crispy, smoky bacon bits. Maple Bacon Donuts are truly a celebration of flavors and textures that transform an ordinary morning into a joyful, cozy moment. Whether you’re treating yourself or impressing guests, this recipe is a guaranteed winner that combines all the best parts of comfort food into one delightful bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun in baking these irresistible maple bacon donuts. Each component plays a special role in crafting that perfect balance of fluffy donut, sweet glaze, and savory crunch.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for soft, cake-like donuts.
- Sugar and brown sugar: Sweetness with a touch of molasses-rich depth from the brown sugar.
- Baking powder: Ensures the donuts rise to tender, fluffy perfection.
- Nutmeg and cinnamon: Adds comforting warmth and seasonal spice notes.
- Egg: Binds the batter together and adds richness.
- Buttermilk: Keeps the donuts moist with a subtle tang.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Gives the texture extra tenderness and slight tanginess.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its sweet aroma.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness both in the dough and the glaze.
- Pure maple syrup: The star of the glaze, bringing natural sweetness and earthiness.
- Powdered sugar: Creates the perfect silky glaze texture.
- Bacon slices: Crisped and crumbled for that irresistible smoky crunch topping.
How to Make Maple Bacon Donuts
Step 1: Prepare the Donut Batter
Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees and greasing your donut pan to ensure the donuts come out easily. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients including the flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. This blend of spices gives the donuts their cozy, fall-inspired flavor.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
Whisk together the egg, buttermilk, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. This mixture brings moisture and tenderness that’ll make your donuts beautifully soft.
Step 3: Mix and Add Butter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently mix until just combined. Then fold in the melted butter for richness. Be careful not to overmix as you want light and fluffy donuts.
Step 4: Bake the Donuts
Spoon the batter into the donut pan cavities, filling each about two-thirds full for room to rise. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until they’re golden brown and spring back when touched — the perfect moment to pull them from the oven. Let them cool slightly before removal.
Step 5: Make the Maple Glaze
While the donuts cool, melt butter and pure maple syrup together on low heat. Once combined, sift in powdered sugar and whisk until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and cinnamon, then allow the glaze to cool a few minutes until it thickens enough to coat the donuts beautifully.
Step 6: Glaze and Top with Bacon
Dunk each donut halfway into the luscious maple glaze and place on a wire rack to let excess drip off. You can double dip for an extra thick coat if you like. While the glaze is still tacky, sprinkle on the crispy crumbled bacon. The salty crunch paired with the sweet glaze is heavenly.
How to Serve Maple Bacon Donuts
Garnishes
These maple bacon donuts shine on their own, but fresh garnishes can elevate them further. Try adding a light dusting of cinnamon sugar for a subtle sparkle or a drizzle of extra maple syrup for the true maple enthusiasts. A sprinkle of chopped pecans can also add a wonderful nutty crunch.
Side Dishes
Maple Bacon Donuts make a fantastic centerpiece to a breakfast spread. Serve alongside fresh fruit like sliced apples or berries to add a burst of brightness. A hot cup of coffee or a creamy latte complements the sweet and savory flavors perfectly. For a brunch party, pair with scrambled eggs or savory breakfast sausage for balance.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to impress? Arrange the donuts on a tiered cake stand adorned with autumn leaves or mini pumpkins for a fall-themed breakfast display. For a fun twist, serve the donuts with small bowls of additional toppings like chopped nuts, whipped cream, or more maple syrup so everyone can customize their bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the maple bacon donuts have cooled and glazed, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Keep the bacon topping on to maintain that crispy contrast, but if you prefer, store bacon separately and add fresh before serving.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked donuts without glaze for up to a month. Wrap each donut tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and prepare the glaze fresh before glazing and topping.
Reheating
To enjoy your maple bacon donuts warm, gently reheat in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds or pop them in a 300-degree oven for 5 minutes. Avoid overheating as that can melt the glaze too much. If glazing ahead, it’s best to re-glaze after warming for that fresh shine.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk for these maple bacon donuts?
Yes, you can substitute regular milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to mimic buttermilk’s acidity. This helps keep the donuts tender and light.
Is it necessary to bake the donuts instead of frying?
Baking keeps these donuts lighter and less greasy, plus it’s easier and less messy. They still have that soft, fluffy texture without sacrificing flavor.
Can I make these Maple Bacon Donuts gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a good-quality gluten-free baking mix. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum to help with texture and rise.
How crispy should the bacon be for topping?
The bacon should be cooked until crisp but not burnt. This ensures a nice crunch that contrasts with the soft donut and sticky glaze perfectly.
Can I prepare the glaze in advance?
Yes, you can make the maple glaze a few hours ahead and refrigerate it. Just let it come to room temperature and whisk before glazing the donuts to restore the ideal dipping consistency.
Final Thoughts
These Maple Bacon Donuts are one of those special recipes that bring a smile with every bite. They’re packed with cozy flavors that feel like a big warm hug on a chilly morning. Whether it’s for a weekend treat or a festive brunch, I can’t recommend enough to give this recipe a try. You’ll end up wanting to make them over and over again — trust me on this one!
PrintMaple Bacon Donuts
These delicious baked maple bacon donuts feature a soft cake donut base topped with a sweet maple glaze and crispy bacon crumbles, perfect for a cozy fall breakfast treat.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 7–8 donuts 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 2 Tbsp sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Maple Glaze
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Topping
- 2–3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare donut pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly coat your donut pan with baking spray to prevent sticking. Set it aside for later use.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon until well combined. Create a well in the center of this mixture.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, buttermilk, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Add melted butter: Stir in the melted unsalted butter until the batter is combined but still light and fluffy.
- Fill donut pan: Using a spoon, fill each donut cavity about two-thirds full with the batter. This recipe yields about 7-8 donuts, so you may have some extra batter for another batch.
- Bake the donuts: Bake the donuts at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown and spring back to the touch.
- Cool the donuts: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for a few minutes before carefully removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare maple glaze: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and maple syrup together. Remove from heat and sift powdered sugar into the mixture, whisking until smooth.
- Add flavor to glaze: Stir in the vanilla extract and ground cinnamon, whisking until fully combined. Let the glaze cool and thicken slightly until it forms a set layer on top when touched.
- Glaze the donuts: Dunk each cooled donut halfway into the maple glaze, then place on a wire rack to allow excess glaze to drip off. For extra coverage, allow glaze to set and then dunk donuts again for a double glaze.
- Add bacon topping: While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle the donuts generously with cooked and crumbled bacon pieces.
- Serve: Serve immediately for a warm, sweet, and savory breakfast delight.
Notes
- If you choose to double glaze, allow the first coat of glaze to set for a couple of minutes before dunking the donuts again.
- The provided nutrition facts are estimated using a third-party tool; actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
- For best results, use fresh pure maple syrup for the glaze and cook bacon until crisp to achieve the perfect texture.