Well, it’s officially winter in my book and I wanted to create a recipe to celebrate the transition of seasons. These mini donuts are the perfect example of just that! The flavor is reminiscent of fall but also perfect for winter. For more of a fall touch, you could add pumpkin, and to keep it more simple, you can leave it as is! I’ve made these at both times of year, but they more specifically remind me of winter because my mom has made them on Christmas morning at times. I love this recipe for this time of year because they have all the spices for that warm, cozy feel, but the flavor is on more of the mild side, so they tend to be an all around crowd pleaser for family and friends! The vanilla bean glaze on top just adds that extra oomph as well. Consider this my last post of the fall season and first of the winter season, I’m so excited! Let’s get into it.
This is a baked donut recipe, so it truly is easy and takes such a short amount of time to bake. You’ll also need a mini donut pan. You can use a regular donut pan but just know you’ll get less donuts and the baking time may change. All you have to do is combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, spices and salt in one bowl, and the shortening, eggs, milk and vanilla in another. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and gently fold until all blended together.
Next you’ll add the mixture to a piping bag. In your greased mini donut pan, take the piping bag and fill each donut mold about 3/4 of the way up. They will definitely rise in the oven so if you over fill, you’ll have tons of different sized donuts. (That’s okay too, they don’t have to be perfect).
Bake for 8 minutes and let cool completely. While they are cooling, make the icing glaze out of confectioners sugar, water and vanilla bean paste. Once the donuts are cool, dunk one side in the glaze and put aside to let it set. And that’s it! Easiest donut recipe ever 🙂
p.s. how cute are the vanilla bean specks in this glaze?!
I know it’s a short one but I hope you all enjoyed this recipe! Things are really crazy right now, so I’ll take all the no fuss recipes I can get, and around the holidays I know a lot of people enjoy these kinds of recipes. Definitely let me know if you try it out!
With Love,
Jenna
Mini Spiced Donuts with Vanilla Bean Glaze
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 tbsp shortening melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 2 tbsp hot water
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste can sub vanilla
Instructions
For the Donuts:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, spices and salt. Whisk together and set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk together the melted shortening, eggs, milk and vanilla. Add to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Grease a mini donut pan and fill a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner cut out with the donut batter. Fill each donut mold in the pan 3/4 of the way up, and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Set aside to cool and make the glaze.
For the Glaze:
- Add the icing sugar, hot water, and vanilla paste or vanilla to a bowl and whisk until combined.
- Once the donuts have cooled, dunk one side of each donut in the glaze and put aside to let the glaze set. Serve and enjoy!