Baked Coffee Donuts with Salted Caramel Coffee Glaze
Try these irresistible baked coffee donuts topped with an addicting salted caramel coffee glaze! Guaranteed to perk up your mornings or the midday slump!
Drink Your Coffee and Eat It, Too
Okay, coffee lovers…you’re in for treat!
These baked coffee donuts with salted caramel coffee glaze are a yummy fusion of a sweet baked cake and an indulgent salted caramel latte. Obviously, these are a must for breakfast or brunch, but are also a great treat to get through your midday slump.
The donuts are infused with rich coffee flavor. The easy glaze starts as a standard powdered sugar icing, but gets a flavor boost with the addition of salted caramel and a touch of espresso powder. Warning: I advise against licking the spoon – you may not have any glaze left for the donuts!
When company is coming, whip up some Double Chocolate Donuts and Chai Spice Donuts, too, and have a coffee shop inspired donut feast!
Gather Your Ingredients
I’ve provided substitutions next to the key ingredient to help you tailor this recipe to your needs or personal taste.
- All purpose flour – No special flour needed. However, you can substitute with cake flour; your donuts will likely have a finer texture and be a bit more tender.
- Brown sugar – Brown sugar adds moistness and notes of caramel. You can use light or dark.
- Baking powder – This helps the donuts rise while baking.
- Kosher salt – Just a little to enhance and balance the sweetness.
- Instant espresso powder – This flavor powerhouse gives the donuts a bold coffee flavor.
- Milk – I use 2%. You can also use whole milk.
- Large egg
- Melted unsalted butter – Butter is my go-to for baked goods, but you can use oil instead.
- Vanilla extract
- Salted caramel sauce – Store-bought or homemade.
- Powdered sugar
Let’s Get Baking
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you on your way.
- Prepare dry ingredients – In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and instant espresso powder.
- Mix wet ingredients – In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Combine wet + dry ingredients – Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; a few lumps are okay.
- Transfer + bake – Use a piping bag or a large ziplock bag (with a corner cut off) to fill each cavity of a greased donut pan no more than 2/3 full. Bake the donuts for 9 to 11 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
- Cool the donuts – Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the glaze – Whisk together the salted caramel sauce and espresso powder. Add the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk; stir until the sugar is incorporated and smooth.
- Glaze the donuts – When the donuts are cool, dip the top of each into the coffee glaze, allowing any excess glaze to drip off. Place them back on the wire rack to set. Dress them up with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.
Recipes Tips for Amazing Coffee Donuts
Room temperature ingredients – Ensure that your milk and egg are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better incorporation of ingredients.
Gentle mixing – Avoid over mixing the batter to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
Consistency of glaze – Adjust the consistency of the glaze gradually. If it’s too thin, stir in additional powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thick, add an extra teaspoon of milk at a time.
Fresh baking ingredients – Make sure your baking powder isn’t expired or too old. To test, add a small spoonful to a bowl of hot water. If it bubbles and fizzes, you’re good to go. Espresso powder will lose it’s bold flavor after a while, so check the date.
Enjoy the same day – These donuts will be fine the next day, but really are best when they’re fresh! If you plan to save some for later, only glaze what you plan to enjoy right away. Store the remaining glaze in an airtight container; give it a stir before using.
Coffee Donuts with Salted Caramel Glaze
Equipment
Ingredients
Coffee Donuts
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
- 1 cup milk, room temperature
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2½ tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Salted Caramel Coffee Glaze
- 2 tablespoons salted caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ teaspoon instant espresso powder
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with cooking spray or melted butter. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and instant espresso powder until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently fold and stir until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are okay.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a large ziplock bag with a corner cut off. Pipe the batter evenly into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.
- Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean. Remove the donuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the salted caramel sauce and espresso powder. Add the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk; stir until the sugar is incorporated and smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk (1 teaspoon at a time), or more powdered sugar (1 tablespoon at a time) until it's right for dipping.
- Once the donuts are completely cooled, dip the top of each donut into the coffee glaze, allowing any excess glaze to drip off. Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack. Drizzle additional caramel sauce over each donut in a zig zag pattern. Allow to set up.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for Later! Salted Caramel Coffee Donuts
