Easy Baked Gingerbread Donuts Recipe
There’s nothing quite like the warm, spiced aroma of gingerbread filling your kitchen, especially during the holiday season. These Baked Gingerbread Donuts bring all the festive flavors of classic gingerbread cookies into a soft, fluffy, and perfectly spiced donut. With a rich combination of cinnamon, ginger, molasses, and brown sugar, every bite is packed with warmth and nostalgia.
Unlike traditional deep-fried donuts, these are baked, making them a lighter alternative while still maintaining a deliciously moist and tender texture. Plus, baking eliminates the hassle of dealing with hot oil, making this recipe an easy and mess-free option for homemade donuts.
These donuts are incredibly versatile—you can enjoy them plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with a sweet vanilla glaze for an extra indulgent touch. Whether you’re serving them as a cozy breakfast treat, a holiday dessert, or a festive snack with a cup of coffee, they’re sure to impress.
The best part? This recipe comes together quickly with simple pantry staples, so you can whip up a batch whenever the craving strikes. No special equipment is needed—just a donut pan and a few mixing bowls.
If you love the deep, spiced flavors of gingerbread, these donuts will become a new seasonal favorite. Their soft texture combined with warm spices and a hint of sweetness makes them an irresistible holiday treat. Plus, they make a great homemade gift when packaged in a festive box!
So, whether you’re preparing for a Christmas brunch, looking for a new holiday baking tradition, or simply craving something sweet and spiced, this Easy Baked Gingerbread Donuts Recipe is a must-try. Let’s get baking!
Prep Time, Cook Time & Servings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Servings: 6 donuts
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan with nonstick spray.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the milk, molasses, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Fill the 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 a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the glaze (if using): Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip each donut into the glaze and let excess drip off.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix the batter: Stir until just combined to keep the donuts soft and fluffy.
- Use a piping bag: Piping the batter into the donut pan makes it easier and results in neater donuts.
- Let the donuts cool before glazing: This helps the glaze set properly and prevents it from melting off.
- Store properly: Keep leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Easy Baked Gingerbread Donuts Recipe
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan with nonstick spray.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the milk, molasses, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Fill the 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 a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the glaze (if using): Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip each donut into the glaze and let excess drip off.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter: Stir until just combined to keep the donuts soft and fluffy.
- Use a piping bag: Piping the batter into the donut pan makes it easier and results in neater donuts.
- Let the donuts cool before glazing: This helps the glaze set properly and prevents it from melting off.
- Store properly: Keep leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.