If you’ve ever wished for a dessert that wraps up the comforting charm of classic crumb cake with the fun, handheld joy of a donut, then this Crumb Cake Donuts Recipe is about to become your new favorite indulgence. Imagine soft, fluffy donuts with a tender crumb inside, crowned by that irresistible crumbly topping that brings both texture and a delicious cinnamon-sugar kiss with every bite. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon treat, these donuts combine familiar flavors in a fun, fresh format that you’ll find yourself craving again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the simplicity fool you—each ingredient in this Crumb Cake Donuts Recipe plays a crucial role in delivering that perfect balance of moist, spiced donut base and luxurious crumb topping. From the warm cinnamon to the creamy melted butter, these staples come together to create a symphony of flavor and texture.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that provides the structure and softness to the donuts.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the batter, balancing the spices.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Our rising agent to ensure the donuts are light and fluffy.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors, keeping sweetness in check.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Infuses warm spice into the cake and crumb topping layers.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted): Brings moisture and rich flavor to the donut batter.
- 1 cup milk: Adds tenderness and helps create a smooth batter.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together while contributing to the donut’s rise.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A little touch of sweetness that amplifies overall flavor.
- For the crumb topping: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened) – each component blends to create the irresistible crumble that crowns the donuts.
How to Make Crumb Cake Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Mix the Dry Ingredients
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and ready to bake your donuts to perfection. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This mix creates the flavorful, tender base of your donuts, ensuring the cinnamon is evenly distributed for that wonderfully warm spice in every bite.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, mix melted butter with milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until everything is well blended. These ingredients add moisture, richness, and a lovely vanilla aroma that makes your donuts extra inviting. The melted butter makes the batter silky, giving the donuts that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3: Bring the Batter Together
Gently pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Remember, a light touch here is key. Overmixing can make the donuts tough rather than soft and fluffy, so stop as soon as you don’t see dry flour anymore.
Step 4: Prepare the Crumb Topping
Now, the star of the show! In a separate bowl, toss together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter using your fingers or a pastry cutter. The goal is to create crumbly clusters that will bake into a crispy, sugary topping giving those donuts that signature crumb cake feel.
Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan and Add Crumbs
Lightly grease your donut pan and spoon the batter into each mold until it’s about halfway full—this keeps your donuts perfectly pillowy. Then, sprinkle the crumb topping generously over each donut, covering them like a sweet blanket that will bake to a golden, crunchy finish.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake your donuts for 12 to 15 minutes, watching for that beautiful golden brown hue on top. Once baked, pop them out of the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Cooling is crucial because it helps the crumb topping set just right, giving you that delightful textural contrast.
How to Serve Crumb Cake Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
While the crumb topping is pretty much perfection on its own, you can get creative by dusting your Crumb Cake Donuts with powdered sugar or drizzling a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk for extra sweetness and a touch of shine. A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar can also amp up the cozy flavor vibe.
Side Dishes
These donuts pair beautifully with a warm mug of coffee or spiced chai tea, the warm spices in the drinks highlight the cinnamon in the crumbs. For a brunch spread, serve alongside fresh fruit or creamy yogurt to balance the sweetness and add freshness to your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress your guests, consider stacking the donuts on a pretty tiered stand or arranging them around a centerpiece on a rustic wooden board. For a fun twist, cut the donuts in half and layer cream cheese or a fruit preserve inside, creating little crumb cake donut sandwiches that look as delightful as they taste.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Crumb Cake Donuts can be kept fresh for up to two days at room temperature if stored in an airtight container. The crumb topping stays crispier this way, and the donuts remain fluffy and tender inside.
Freezing
If you want to extend their shelf life, wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen this way, they maintain their flavor and texture for up to a month, perfect for planning ahead or satisfying future cravings.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy your donuts, thaw them at room temperature and warm briefly in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This revives the crumb topping’s crunch and refreshes the softness inside, almost like they’ve just come out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I substitute the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour?
Absolutely, but keep in mind that whole wheat flour can make the donuts denser and give them a nuttier flavor. You might want to try using half whole wheat and half all-purpose flour to keep a tender crumb.
Is it possible to make these crumb cake donuts gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Make sure it includes xanthan gum or add it separately to maintain the structure and texture of the donuts.
Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin as a substitute and adjust the baking time slightly. Keep an eye on them and remove when a toothpick inserted comes out clean, usually around 15 minutes.
What’s the best way to make the crumb topping extra crunchy?
Using softened butter rather than melted and mixing until just crumbly will give you nice clusters that bake into a crunchy topping. Adding a bit more brown sugar can also caramelize and enhance the crunchiness.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to the topping?
Definitely! Chopped pecans or walnuts work beautifully in the crumb topping, adding an extra layer of flavor and crunch that complements the cinnamon and sugar perfectly.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting and special about this Crumb Cake Donuts Recipe that makes every bite feel like a warm, cozy hug. Whether you’re sharing them with friends over coffee or sneaking a few at home, these donuts are sure to brighten your day with their perfect crumbly top and tender crumb. Trust me, once you try making them, you’ll never want to go back to ordinary donuts again.
Print
Crumb Cake Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these moist and tender Crumb Cake Donuts topped with a sweet, buttery crumb topping. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, these baked donuts combine classic cinnamon flavors with a rich crumb topping for a satisfying texture and taste.
Ingredients
Donut Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crumb Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the donuts evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Combine Both Mixtures: Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to keep the batter light and tender without overworking it.
- Prepare Crumb Topping: In another bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and softened butter. Mix until the topping becomes crumbly and resembles coarse crumbs.
- Fill Donut Pan: Spoon the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity halfway to allow room for rising during baking.
- Add Crumb Topping: Generously sprinkle the crumb topping over each filled donut cavity for a sweet, crisp finish.
- Bake the Donuts: Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the donuts from the oven and cool them on a wire rack before serving to allow the crumb topping to set.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to ensure the donuts remain light and fluffy.
- Use a donut pan for perfect shape and even baking.
- The crumb topping can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and milk with plant-based alternatives.
- Store donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
