You’ll love the irresistible fusion of citrus and spice in our delicious orange spice donuts! Made with fresh orange juice, warm aromatic spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, plus a citrus-flavored glaze, these homemade donuts are perfect for breakfast or dessert. They’re also baked and not fried so these donuts are more wholesome than the store-bought variety!
I recently bought a donut pan because I wanted to make my kids homemade donuts that not only taste delicious but won’t be fried but baked instead! My children absolutely love donuts but I never feel at ease when they eat storebought ones because they’re probably packed with preservatives and chemicals and so calorific, too!
So I decided I would try to make donuts that are simple and easy to make but so flavorful, too that they won’t be missing the sugarfest donuts you can get from the store! Thankfully, these spiced and orange-flavored donuts are like that and so much more!
Why You Would Love These Orange Spice Donuts
You’ll love these baked orange spice donuts for their perfect balance of zesty citrus and warm spices, creating a flavor sensation that’s both comforting and refreshing. Plus, they’re baked and not fried making them healthier and more wholesome! Its luscious orange glaze makes these homemade donuts an irresistible treat for breakfast, snacks, or for any occasion!
Ingredients for Orange Spice Donuts
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the Glaze
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
How to Make Orange Spice Donuts
Preheat your oven to 350 F and generously grease two donut pans with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy release.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and salt until well combined. Set aside. In a separate bowl, stir together the melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and milk until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a thick batter forms. Gently fold in the fresh orange juice and orange zest until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pans, filling each cavity about three-quarters full.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the tops of the donuts are lightly golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed with your finger. Allow the donuts to cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
When the donuts are cool, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and two tablespoons of orange juice. Add more juice, if needed, to thin the glaze. Dip the top of each donut in the glaze and place it back on the wire rack. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use bottled orange juice instead of fresh? While fresh orange juice is preferred for optimal flavor, you can certainly use bottled orange juice as a substitute if needed. Just be sure to choose a high-quality, 100% orange juice without any added sugars or artificial flavors.
Can I make these donuts ahead of time? Absolutely! These Orange Spice Donuts can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Simply glaze them right before serving to maintain their freshness and texture.
Can I freeze the donuts? Yes, you can freeze these donuts for longer-term storage. Once fully cooled and glazed, place the donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store them for up to 1 month. To enjoy, simply thaw the donuts at room temperature or reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds until warmed through.
And there you have it – a mouthwatering recipe for Orange Spice Donuts that’s guaranteed to delight your senses with every bite! Whether you’re savoring them with a cup of hot coffee in the morning or sharing them with friends and family at brunch, these homemade treats are sure to steal the show.
So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and let the aroma of freshly baked donuts fill your kitchen. Happy baking!
Orange Spice Donuts
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter melted and cooled
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the Glaze
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 F and generously grease two donut pans with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy release.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and milk until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a thick batter forms.
- Gently fold in the fresh orange juice and orange zest until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pans, filling each cavity about three-quarters full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the tops of the donuts are lightly golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed with your finger.
- Allow the donuts to cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
- When the donuts are cool, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and two tablespoons of orange juice.
- Add more juice, if needed, to thin the glaze.
- Dip the top of each donut in the glaze and place it back on the wire rack.
- Allow the glaze to set before serving.
