Gingerbread Spice Donuts (Print Version)

Fluffy donuts infused with classic gingerbread spices and a sweet glaze, perfect for holiday mornings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Wet Ingredients

09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 1/2 cup brown sugar
11 - 1/4 cup molasses
12 - 1/2 cup milk
13 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
14 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Glaze

15 - 1 cup powdered sugar
16 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
17 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a donut pan with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk eggs and brown sugar until combined. Add molasses, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract; whisk until smooth.
04 - Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Spoon or pipe batter into donut pan cavities, filling each about two-thirds full.
06 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
07 - Whisk powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons milk and cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth. Add more milk, if needed, for desired consistency.
08 - Dip cooled donuts in glaze, allowing excess to drip off, then place on a rack to set.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They come together in under 35 minutes from start to finish, making them perfect for those last-minute breakfast cravings or unexpected guests
  • The molasses and warm spices create this deep, complex flavor that tastes like you fussed over them for hours
  • They're soft and fluffy on the inside with a delicate crumb that melts in your mouth
02 -
  • Measure your flour by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off. Scooping directly from the bag can pack too much flour in and make your donuts dense.
  • Don't skip the molasses—it's not just sweetness, it's the soul of these donuts. It adds moisture and that deep flavor that makes people ask if you're a professional baker.
  • Your donut pan temperature matters. If your oven runs hot, they might brown too quickly on the outside before the inside cooks through. Use an oven thermometer to be sure.
03 -
  • Try adding just a tiny pinch of black pepper to your dry ingredients—it deepens the spice warmth in a way people can't quite identify but absolutely love
  • If you want extra moisture, add 1/4 tsp of espresso powder to enhance the molasses notes without making them taste like coffee
  • Make a simple glaze without powdered sugar by whisking together melted butter, cinnamon, and a touch of honey—it's more rustic but equally delicious

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