Baked Gingerbread Donuts

Name: Baked Gingerbread Donuts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground ginger; ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves; ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg ((I used freshly grated or you can use pre-made)); 3 tablespoons molasses; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ cup sour cream; ¼ cup milk; ¼ cup vegetable oil; 1 large egg; ⅓ cup cream cheese; ½ cup confectioners powdered sugar; 1 tablespoon milk; festive sprinkles

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'Tis the season for all things gingerbread including these Baked Gingerbread Donuts! These donuts are topped with a Cream Cheese Frosting and festive sprinkles that will make any holiday morning even better!

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Why I Love This Recipe
Key Ingredients For This Recipe
Variations for this Recipe
How to Make Baked Gingerbread Donuts
Expert Tips for This Recipe
Recipe FAQs
Tools for Baking Donuts
More Fun Holiday Desserts to Try
Baked Gingerbread Donuts

Why I Love This Recipe

These Baked Gingerbread Donuts are the perfect holiday breakfast or a sweet treat just like my Rhodes Rolls Cinnamon Rolls and my Sourdough French Toast Casserole. They are festive, easy to make, and delicious. Who could ask for more? Add some holiday-colored sprinkles and Christmas Morning is done. Did I mention these are also delicious with coffee?

a stack of gingerbread donuts with frosting

Key Ingredients For This Recipe

dry ingredient list for gingerbread donuts

Cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, ground nutmeg - These spices are the classic combination that creates that delicious gingerbread flavor.
Molasses - Once more ingredient to add depth and spice to this batter.
Cream cheese - Cream cheese is the base for the decadent frosting for these donuts.
Festive sprinkles - Sprinkles are optional but always recommended, especially if you are making these for the holidays.

*See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.

Variations for this Recipe

If you don't want or like cream cheese frosting, here are some other ideas for finishing these Gingerbread Donuts.

Roll each cooled donut in melted butter and then in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Make a simple glaze with 1 cup of confectioners powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and ½ teaspoon vanilla.
Add Candied Ginger to the batter or on top!

How to Make Baked Gingerbread Donuts

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° and prepare the donut pan with non-stick spray.

Step 2: Put the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk together.

Step 3: In another mixing bowl, add the wet ingredients and whisk together. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.

Step 4: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan. Bake for 14 minutes and then remove to cool on a rack.

Step 5: While the donuts are baking, make the cream cheese frosting by adding all of the ingredients to a bowl except for the sprinkles and whisking to combine.

baked gingerbread donuts on a cooling rack.

Step 6: Once cool, frost the donuts and immediately add the sprinkles so that they stick.

Expert Tips for This Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure the sour cream, milk, and egg are at room temperature before mixing. This ensures even mixing and a better texture in the donuts.
Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter will lead to dense donuts. Only mix until the ingredients are combined.
Molasses Tip: To get the molasses to slide out easily from the measuring cup, coat it with a thin layer of cooking oil or cooking spray.
Donut Pan Preparation: Grease the donut pan thoroughly with cooking spray or melted butter to prevent the donuts from sticking.
Fill Donut Cavities Evenly: When filling the donut cavities, use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner cut off to ensure even distribution and baking.

a baked gingerbread donut with frosting and a bite taken out of it

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftover baked donuts?

Store any leftover baked donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. For longer storage, freeze them in an airtight container, and when ready to eat, thaw them and add frosting and sprinkles.

Can I make these donuts gluten-free?

Yes, you can make gluten-free donuts by using gluten-free flour in place of regular flour. Make sure it's a 1:1 substitute for best results.

Can I use a different frosting instead of cream cheese frosting?

Yes, you can use a regular glaze made with powdered sugar and milk, or even a chocolate glaze for a different flavor profile.

Can I make these donuts ahead of time?

Yes, you can make these donuts ahead of time. Bake the donuts, allow them to cool completely, and then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Add the frosting right before serving. You can also freeze them for longer storage; just make sure to thaw them before adding frosting and sprinkles.

Tools for Baking Donuts

It's always a good idea to have the right tools for the job. Below are a few of my favorite things when it comes to making donuts.

Donut Baking Pans - I have a silicone donut pan and I like it a lot. It's easy to remove baked donuts and it's easy to clean. The only downside is the silicone starts to change color over time. Another option is a non-stick metal donut pan.

Mixing Bowls - You can never have enough mixing bowls in my opinion. Here is a mixing bowl set that makes baking so much easier when you have a clean bowl ready instead of searching and cleaning the only one you have (you know who you are 😉).

Whisks - Yes, there is such a thing as a bad whisk. If you have an inexpensive whisk, it will probably lose shape over time or bend while whisking (been there done that). A metal whisk is a must-have in any kitchen. I also love a silicone whisk because it scrapes the side of the bowl as it mixes.

More Fun Holiday Desserts to Try

If you get a chance to make these Baked Gingerbread Donuts, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.