Spiced Maple Doughnuts Recipe
There’s something truly magical about creating these spiced maple doughnuts; it feels a bit like capturing the essence of autumn in a deliciously crispy, sweet, and warmly spiced bite. Let’s dive in and make some kitchen magic!
I absolutely love starting my mornings with these Spiced Maple Doughnuts. With the warmth of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, they are perfectly balanced by the sweetness of pure maple syrup.
My recipe combines rich buttermilk and softened butter, giving these doughnuts a tender crumb that everyone enjoys.
Spiced Maple Doughnuts Recipe Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure, contains carbohydrates.
- Baking powder: A leavening agent for light, fluffy doughnuts.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet spice; rich in antioxidants.
- Maple syrup: Natural sweetener; adds depth and unrefined sugars.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness; source of fat for tenderness.
- Buttermilk: Creates a tender crumb; adds tangy flavor.
- Brown sugar: Contributes moisture and a caramel-like sweetness.
- Eggs: Bind ingredients; add moisture and richness.
Spiced Maple Doughnuts Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- Oil for frying (canola or vegetable)
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting (optional)
How to Make this Spiced Maple Doughnuts Recipe
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk and maple syrup. Mix until the batter is smooth and well combined.
5. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out doughnuts using a doughnut cutter, rerolling any scraps.
7. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large heavy saucepan to 350°F (175°C).
8. Carefully place a few doughnuts at a time into the hot oil. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
9. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried doughnuts to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
10. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, if desired, and serve warm. Enjoy your spiced maple doughnuts!
Spiced Maple Doughnuts Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Medium bowl
2. Large bowl
3. Whisk
4. Handheld or stand mixer
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Spatula
7. Plastic wrap or lid for covering
8. Rolling pin
9. Doughnut cutter
10. Deep fryer or large heavy saucepan
11. Cooking thermometer (for measuring oil temperature)
12. Slotted spoon
13. Paper towels
14. Plate (for draining doughnuts)
FAQ
- What kind of oil is best for frying the doughnuts? Canola or vegetable oil is recommended, as they have a high smoke point and neutral flavor.
- Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter? Yes, but if you do, reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe to compensate.
- Is there a substitute for buttermilk? You can use a mixture of milk and lemon juice or vinegar as a substitute. Use 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Can I bake these instead of frying? Yes, you can bake them in a doughnut pan at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Can I use a different type of flour? All-purpose flour is recommended for the best texture, but you could try substituting with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
- How should I store leftover doughnuts? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in the oven or microwave to refresh.
- Can I make the doughnuts in advance? Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it overnight. Allow it to come back to room temperature before frying or baking.
Spiced Maple Doughnuts Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- All-purpose flour: Can be substituted with whole wheat flour for a denser texture.
- Buttermilk: Substitute with 1/2 cup of milk mixed with 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar, let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- Pure maple syrup: Use honey or agave syrup as a substitute, keeping in mind this will alter the flavor slightly.
- Unsalted butter: Can be replaced with an equal amount of coconut oil or vegetable oil for a different texture and flavor.
- Brown sugar: Substitute with coconut sugar for a subtle caramel-like flavor.
Pro Tips
1. Chill the Dough Thoroughly: Ensure that the dough chills for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. Colder dough will hold its shape better, making it easier to cut and handle, and will result in a better texture when fried.
2. Check Oil Temperature Regularly: Maintain the oil temperature at 350°F (175°C) for even frying. Use a kitchen thermometer to check the oil temperature frequently, as fluctuations can cause the doughnuts to become greasy or not cook through.
3. Avoid Overcrowding the Fryer: Fry just a few doughnuts at a time. Overcrowding can lower the oil temperature too quickly, resulting in uneven cooking.
4. Use the Right Tools for Cutting: A doughnut cutter will give you the traditional shape, but you can also use two different-sized round cutters (one larger and one smaller for the doughnut hole) if you don’t have a doughnut cutter.
5. Experiment with Flavors: For a little extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cardamom to the dry ingredients or use a flavored syrup in place of the maple syrup. Gentle variations can add a unique touch to the doughnuts.
Spiced Maple Doughnuts Recipe
My favorite Spiced Maple Doughnuts Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Medium bowl
2. Large bowl
3. Whisk
4. Handheld or stand mixer
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Spatula
7. Plastic wrap or lid for covering
8. Rolling pin
9. Doughnut cutter
10. Deep fryer or large heavy saucepan
11. Cooking thermometer (for measuring oil temperature)
12. Slotted spoon
13. Paper towels
14. Plate (for draining doughnuts)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- Oil for frying (canola or vegetable)
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk and maple syrup. Mix until the batter is smooth and well combined.
5. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out doughnuts using a doughnut cutter, rerolling any scraps.
7. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large heavy saucepan to 350°F (175°C).
8. Carefully place a few doughnuts at a time into the hot oil. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
9. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried doughnuts to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
10. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, if desired, and serve warm. Enjoy your spiced maple doughnuts!