Enjoy biting into a light + fluffy vegan maple donut with a homemade maple glaze for an easy breakfast or snack on the go. For those with a sweet tooth, it's hard to resist the combination of pillowy dough and sweet maple syrup in this homemade vegan donuts. Have this delicious + unique twist on a classic beloved breakfast treat ready in under one hour.
A maple pecan donut is a delicious and indulgent treat that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Made with freshly baked dough, it’s filled with a sweet maple syrup and crunchy pecans, then topped off with an irresistible glaze. The combination of flavors creates an unforgettable taste experience that will leave you wanting more. Maple pecan donuts are perfect for breakfast, dessert as well as a snack or dessert. Enjoy them with a pumpkin spice espresso martini or eat them for a dessert after having pumpkin pasta.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Easy to make - Have this flavorful treats in the oven in 15 minutes or less with a few simple steps! All you need to do is combined the ingredients and allow them to bake. Perfect for baking with children.
- Made with simple ingredients - No need to worry about having to track down hard time find or expensive ingredients. All you need is basic baking ingredients and some fall spices. You may even have everything you need already stocked in your home pantry!
- Perfect to share- These vegan maple donuts are the perfect dessert to bring with you to potlucks, school functions, work parties, birthdays, holidays and more. The recipe makes 6 donuts, but simply double it to make 12.
INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Vegan butter - For the softest maple donuts, use vegan butter sticks, not vegan buttery spreads. Buttery spreads have air whipped into them, making them lighter and ideal for spreading on things like toast, bagels, and more. Vegan block butter on the other hand is closest to dairy butter and will yield the best baked goods. Make sure your using unsalted butter or use omit the added salt in the recipe if you are using salted butter.
- All purpose flour - Classic all purpose flour will make the fluffiest donuts. If gluten free, substitute gluten free all purpose flour.
- Maple Syrup - Adds a touch of fall warm sweetness to balance the buttery pecan taste! I prefer to use golden or amber, but any maple syrup will work. There is no sugar added into the donut itself because the maple syrup sweetens it up enough, as does the frosting.
- Fall spices - This recipe calls for cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice to give it the perfect fall flavor. You can find all three in the spice aisle.
- Pecans - I used chopped pecans, but if you can only find whole pecans, simply chop them up before using them so they are easier to eat and place on the donuts.
You will also need a donut tray for this recipe. I prefer using this tray which is affordable + easy to use.
Step By Step Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and grease a donut tray.
- Using a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices until they are well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the plant based milk, melted butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract.
- Slowly mix the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Next, using a spatula, fold the pecans into the batter until they are equally disbursed.
- Fill the donut trays ¾ of the way and place in the oven.
- While the donuts are baking, begin making the maple glaze frosting by combing all of the ingredients in a bowl and mixing well.
- Once the donuts are golden brown and done baking, begin making the optional toasted pecan toppers. Place the pecans, melted butter and salt into a bowl and mix.
- Lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees and place the pecans onto a baking tray. Bake for 8 minutes then flip and bake again.
- Once the donuts are cooled, place them upside down into the frosting placing them directly downward then removing them from the frosting, allowing them to drip over the frosting for a few seconds.
- Generously place the toasted pecans on top.
STORING INSTRUCTIONS
Store these vegan maple donuts in an air tight container in a cool dry place for up to 3 days. If you prefer your donuts on the warmer side, place them in the microwave on a heat safe dish and microwave for 15 seconds.
RECIPE FAQ
Many maple donuts use eggs and/or butter and milk, which would not make them vegan. This recipe, however, is vegan as it uses plant based products.
These maple donuts have pecans in them. If you are allergic to pecans, you can use walnuts or omit the pecans within the donuts and the toasted pecan topping entirely.
These are made of flour, maple syrup, warm spices, a few baking staples, such as baking soda and powder, and pecans.
EXPERT TIPS
- Use vegan block butter. Vegan block butter is ideal for baking because it is the closest to real dairy. While other vegan spreads have air whipped into them, block vegan butter does not.
- Fill the donut trays ¾ of the way. These maple donuts will expand while baking. If you over fill, the dough will rise over the tray and cause the donuts not to be a perfectly round donut shape.
Maple Pecan Vegan Donuts
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup + 1 tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ cup + 1 tbsp almond milk or any plant based milk
- 3 tbsp vegan block butter melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- Pinch salt
- ½ tbsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp allspice
- 3 tbsp diced pecans
Maple Glaze
- 2 tbsp vegan butter melted
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup confectionery sugar
- Pinch salt
Toasted Pecans
- 2 tbsp pecans
- ½ tbsp vegan butter melted
- Pinch salt
- Pinch sugar
Instructions
Donuts
- First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and grease a donut tray.
- Using a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices until they are well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the plant based milk, melted butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract.
- Slowly mix the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Next, using a spatula, fold the pecans into the batter until they are equally disbursed.
- Fill the donut trays ¾ of the way and place in the oven.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until you can insert a toothpick within the donut and it comes out clean.
- Let cool for 15-30 minutes prior to frosting.
Toasted Pecans (optional)
- While donuts are cooling off, preheat your oven to 300 degrees f. (although, it should already be warm).
- Toss pecans with butter, salt and sugar in a bowl.
- Place on sheet pan and cook for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 8 minutes.
- Set aside until the donuts are frosted then sprinkle the pecans on top while frosting is wet.
Maple Frosting
- Combine all ingredients into a bowl until smooth (it will be thick but drippy).
- Once the donuts have cooled, Once the donuts are cooled, place them upside down into the frosting placing them directly downward then removing them from the frosting, allowing them to drip over the frosting for a few seconds. Then place on cooling rack.
Notes
-
- Use vegan block butter. Vegan block butter is ideal for baking because it is the closest to real dairy. While other vegan spreads have air whipped into them, block vegan butter does not.
-
- Fill the donut trays ¾ of the way. These maple donuts will expand while baking. If you over fill, the dough will rise over the tray and cause the donuts not to be a perfectly round donut shape.
- Storage. Store these vegan maple donuts in an air tight container in a cool dry place for up to 3 days. If you prefer your donuts on the warmer side, place them in the microwave on a heat safe dish and microwave for 15 seconds.
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