Description
Brown butter maple pecan donuts are a cozy baked treat featuring nutty brown butter, warm cinnamon, maple syrup, and pecans. Finished with a luscious maple-brown butter glaze and topped with toasted pecans, these fall-inspired donuts are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted brown butter, melted
½ cup light brown sugar
½ cup maple syrup
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups cake flour (or all-purpose flour)
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup finely ground toasted pecans
½ cup whole milk
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted brown butter, melted (for glaze)
2 tablespoons maple syrup (for glaze)
Pinch of salt (for glaze)
2–4 tablespoons milk, as needed (for glaze)
Chopped toasted pecans (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
- Grind ¼ cup toasted pecans into fine crumbs.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and ground pecans in a small bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk brown butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until incorporated.
- Stir in half the dry ingredients, then add milk. Mix in remaining dry ingredients until just combined.
- Transfer batter to a piping bag or spoon into donut pan, filling molds halfway.
- Bake 8–10 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Cool slightly on a wire rack.
- For glaze, whisk powdered sugar, brown butter, maple syrup, and salt. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until glaze is thick but pourable.
- Dip cooled donuts in glaze and place on a rack to set.
- Sprinkle with chopped toasted pecans before serving.
Notes
- Baked instead of fried, making them lighter but still indulgent.
- Brown butter enhances flavor with a nutty richness.
- Glaze consistency can be adjusted with more sugar or milk.
- Best served fresh but can be frozen unglazed and reheated.
- Gluten-free flour blend works well as a substitute.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
