Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake Donuts With Vanilla Glaze
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These Coffee Cake Donuts are a faster, easier way to enjoy the flavor of classic coffee cake without the time it takes to bake a full cake. The batter comes together in one bowl, gets topped with a cinnamon-brown sugar streusel, and bakes in under 15 minutes. They have a soft, tender texture with just the right amount of crumbly topping and a light vanilla glaze to finish. You don’t need a mixer, and they’re ready start to finish in about 35 minutes, making them perfect for weekend brunch, snacks, or a quick morning treat. If you’ve got a donut pan and a few pantry staples, you’re all set.
Why You’ll Love Coffee Cake Donuts
- Faster Than Coffee Cake: You get all the flavor and texture of coffee cake in about half the time it takes to bake a full one.
- No Mixer Needed: The batter and topping can be mixed by hand, which makes cleanup easier and the process quicker.
- Perfect for Small Batches: Makes just a dozen donuts, so you’re not stuck with a huge pan of leftovers.
- Streusel That Stays Put: Topping bakes right onto the donuts and holds its texture without crumbling off everywhere.
- Great for Make-Ahead: These taste just as good the next day and reheat well, making them a solid prep-ahead option.
Ingredients Needed To Make Coffee Cake Donuts
Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients needed for this recipe.
Donut Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- Eggs
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Kosher salt
Streusel Topping Ingredients
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
Vanilla Glaze Ingredients
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
Oven Temperatures
Oven temperatures can vary significantly from one oven to another. To achieve consistent results, it’s crucial to know the exact temperature inside your oven. The safest and most accurate way to determine this is by using an oven thermometer. This simple tool can help you avoid underbaking or overbaking your treats.
Swaps & Variations
- Flour: Use 1.1 gluten-free flour to make them gluten-free.
- Sugar: Sub brown sugar with coconut sugar for a less refined option.
- Butter: Use plant-based butter for dairy-free.
- Milk: Sub with almond, oat, or soy milk to make dairy-free.
- Eggs: Use flax eggs (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water per egg) for egg-free variation.
- Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the batter or streusel for warmth.
How To Make Coffee Cake Donuts
- Preheat your oven and lightly grease a donut pan.
- Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, then mix in the eggs, milk, and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together.
- Add the dry mix to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan.
- Mix the streusel topping with a fork until crumbly, then sprinkle it over the donuts.
- Bake until the donuts are golden and cooked through.
- Let them cool in the pan briefly, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Whisk the glaze ingredients together and drizzle over the cooled donuts.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do I need a donut pan for this recipe?
Yes, a donut pan helps the batter hold its shape and gives that classic round form. If you don’t have one, you can use a muffin tin, but keep in mind the texture and bake time may vary slightly.
How do I know when the donuts are done?
They should be lightly golden and spring back when gently pressed. If you’re unsure, insert a toothpick—it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.
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Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, they hold up well for a day or two. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and add the glaze just before serving if you want it to look fresh.
How should I store leftovers?
Keep the donuts in an airtight container at room temp for up to two days, or in the fridge for up to four. If you refrigerate them, bring them to room temp before serving or warm briefly in the microwave.
What’s the best way to reheat them?
A quick 10–15 seconds in the microwave will soften them up nicely. Avoid overheating or the glaze will melt completely and the texture may change.
Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar?
Brown sugar gives the donuts more moisture and a deeper flavor, especially in the streusel. You can use white sugar in a pinch, but the taste will be a bit more basic.
Why is my streusel sinking into the batter?
If your batter is too loose or the streusel is packed down too hard, it can sink while baking. Make sure your batter is thick and the streusel stays light and crumbly when sprinkled on top.
Coffee Cake Donuts
Equipment
- 12-cavity donut pan
- Whisk and fork
- Hand mixer or stand mixer (optional)
- Piping bag or spoon for filling donut cavities
Ingredients
Donuts
- 2 cups all-purpose flour or 1.1 gluten-free flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 8 tbsp butter room temperature
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Streusel Topping
- 5 tbsp butter melted
- ½ cup all-purpose flour or 1:1 gluten-free flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Vanilla Glaze
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 12-cavity donut pan with nonstick baking spray.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in milk and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and mix until just combined—do not overmix.
- Spoon or pipe batter into the donut pans, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
For the Streusel
- In a bowl, mix streusel ingredients with a fork until crumbly.
- Sprinkle generously on top of each donut.
- Bake for 10–13 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together glaze ingredients until smooth.
- Once donuts are cool, drizzle glaze over each donut. Enjoy!
Notes
Swaps & Variations
- Flour: Use 1.1 gluten-free flour to make them gluten-free.
- Sugar: Sub brown sugar with coconut sugar for a less refined option.
- Butter: Use plant-based butter for dairy-free.
- Milk: Sub with almond, oat, or soy milk to make dairy-free.
- Eggs: Use flax eggs (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water per egg) for egg-free variation.
- Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the batter or streusel for warmth.
Nutrition
These coffee cake donuts are one of those recipes I reach for when I want something quick that still feels special. They’re easy to make, don’t require much cleanup, and always hit the spot with that cinnamon streusel and vanilla glaze. I usually make a batch on the weekend and they’re gone before Monday. Give them a try and see if your kitchen doesn’t start smelling like a bakery too.