Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Coffee Donuts combine the best of both worlds: a fluffy vanilla cake donut with a rich espresso kick, topped with a smooth coffee glaze. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or even an afternoon pick-me-up, these donuts are an indulgent treat that’s easy to make and ready in under an hour. The subtle coffee flavor pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the glaze, making these donuts a crowd-pleaser for any coffee lover. Coffee Donuts

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Donuts:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons espresso powder
1/4 cup boiling water
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Coffee Glaze:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
5 tablespoons half & half
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
Chocolate jimmies (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease your donut pan(s) with butter and dust them with flour. Set the pan aside.

Make the Donut Batter:

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Start on low speed, then increase to medium.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing on low speed until combined.
Mix the espresso powder with boiling water until dissolved. Add this espresso mixture to the batter and mix for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy (the batter should not look curdled).
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the batter, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on medium-low speed until just combined.

Prepare the Donut Pan:

Spoon about 3 heaping tablespoons of batter into each donut well of the prepared pan. Smooth the batter with a spoon and gently tap the pan on the counter to remove air bubbles.

Bake the Donuts:

Bake the donuts for 10 minutes or until they are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Allow the donuts to cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Coffee Glaze:

While the donuts are cooling, make the glaze. In a small bowl, mix the half & half with the espresso powder until the powder dissolves. Set aside.
In a medium deep bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar with the espresso/cream mixture until smooth and silky. The glaze should be thick enough to stream from a whisk.

Glaze the Donuts:

Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the glaze, then return them to the cooling rack with parchment paper or a cookie sheet underneath to catch any excess glaze.
If using chocolate jimmies, sprinkle them on top of the glaze before it sets.

Let Set and Serve:

Allow the glaze to set for about 30 minutes before serving, ensuring it firms up nicely.

Servings and Timing

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12 donuts

Variations

Flavored Glaze: You can add vanilla or cinnamon to the glaze for a unique twist on the flavor.
Nutty Topping: Add chopped nuts like toasted almonds, walnuts, or pecans on top of the glaze for added texture and flavor.
Chocolate Donuts: For a chocolate coffee flavor, add cocoa powder to the donut batter or glaze.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Reheating: To enjoy these donuts warm, you can place them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or heat them in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

Yes, you can use a muffin tin instead of a donut pan. Simply fill the muffin cups and adjust the baking time (they may need 1-2 more minutes).

2. Can I substitute regular coffee for espresso powder?

Yes, you can substitute brewed coffee, but espresso powder provides a more concentrated coffee flavor. If you use brewed coffee, reduce the amount of liquid in the donut batter slightly.

3. Can I make the donuts without buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk, you can use a mixture of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to create a buttermilk substitute.

4. How do I know when the donuts are done baking?

The donuts are done when they’re golden brown on the edges, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. Can I use a different type of glaze?

Absolutely! You can swap the coffee glaze for a vanilla glaze, chocolate glaze, or even a simple sugar glaze depending on your preference.

6. Can I freeze these donuts?

Yes, you can freeze the donuts before glazing. Once they’ve cooled completely, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before glazing.

7. Can I use decaffeinated espresso powder?

Yes, you can use decaffeinated espresso powder if you prefer a coffee flavor without the caffeine.

8. How long should I let the glaze set?

Allow the glaze to set for about 30 minutes so it firms up and doesn’t smudge when handled.

9. Can I add chocolate chips to the batter?

Yes, you can fold in chocolate chips into the donut batter for an extra indulgent treat!

10. Can I double the recipe?

Yes, you can easily double the recipe to make more donuts. Just be sure to adjust the baking time slightly if you’re using multiple pans.

Conclusion

These Coffee Donuts are a delightful treat that blends rich espresso flavor with the fluffy texture of a vanilla cake donut. Topped with a sweet coffee glaze, they’re perfect for any occasion—from a quick breakfast to an afternoon snack with your favorite cup of coffee. Whether you’re a coffee lover or just looking for a unique twist on a classic donut, this recipe will surely become a favorite!

Coffee Donuts

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Author: Emma
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 12 donuts
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Coffee Donuts feature a light, fluffy vanilla cake base with a rich espresso flavor, all topped with a sweet coffee glaze. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon pick-me-up, these donuts are ready in under an hour!

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare your donut pan(s) by greasing them with butter and dusting with flour. Set aside.
Make the Donut Batter: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Start on low speed, then increase to medium. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing on low speed until combined.
Mix the espresso powder with boiling water until dissolved. Add this espresso mixture to the batter and mix for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy (the batter should not look curdled).
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the batter, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on medium-low speed until just combined.
Prepare the Donut Pan: Spoon about 3 heaping tablespoons of batter into each donut well of the prepared pan. Smooth the batter with a spoon and gently tap the pan on the counter to remove air bubbles.
Bake the Donuts: Bake the donuts for 10 minutes or until they are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the donuts to cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Coffee Glaze: While the donuts are cooling, make the glaze. In a small bowl, mix the half & half with the espresso powder until the powder dissolves. Set aside. In a medium deep bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar with the espresso/cream mixture until smooth and silky. The glaze should be thick enough to stream from a whisk.
Glaze the Donuts: Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the glaze, then return them to the cooling rack with parchment paper or a cookie sheet underneath to catch any excess glaze. If using chocolate jimmies, sprinkle them on top of the glaze before it sets.
Let Set and Serve: Allow the glaze to set for about 30 minutes before serving, ensuring it firms up nicely.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the donut batter.
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake these in a muffin tin, but they won’t have the classic donut shape.
These donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 donut
Calories: 250
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 40mg