Baked Banana Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze Recipe

Introduction

These baked banana donuts with brown butter glaze are a delightful twist on classic donuts, offering a moist texture and rich flavor that’s hard to resist. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, they combine the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with a nutty, creamy glaze.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for glaze)
• 3 tbsp heavy whipping cream (hot)
• 2 overripe bananas (about 200g)
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 egg (at room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for donut batter)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Make the brown butter by melting 1/2 cup butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat for 7-8 minutes. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn. It’s ready when it forms a thick foam and smells nutty.
2. Step 2: Pour the browned butter into a bowl and mix in 4 tablespoons powdered sugar until combined. Place this mixture in the fridge to solidify while preparing the donuts.
3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a donut pan with cooking spray and set aside.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, 1/4 cup oil, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Mix until smooth.
5. Step 5: Add 1 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the banana mixture. Gently fold until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
6. Step 6: Divide the batter evenly into the six donut cavities and bake for 17-19 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
8. Step 8: Remove the brown butter mixture from the fridge. It will be solid. Add 3 tablespoons of hot heavy cream and whisk until smooth and creamy. If the glaze is too thick, add more hot cream 1/2 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
9. Step 9: Dip each cooled donut into the glaze, then set aside to let the glaze set. Optionally, decorate with caramelized banana slices before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use very ripe bananas for the sweetest, most flavorful donuts.
• To caramelize banana slices for decoration, sauté thin banana slices in a bit of butter and brown sugar until golden.
• If you don’t have a donut pan, use a muffin tin and adjust baking time slightly.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use a non-dairy cream for the glaze.

Storage

Store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before glazing for best texture and warmth. The glaze is best applied fresh before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these donuts vegan?

Yes, you can substitute the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, replace the egg with a flax or chia egg, and use a plant-based cream for the glaze.

How do I know when the donuts are done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center of a donut; if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, the donuts are fully baked. Avoid opening the oven door too early to prevent collapse.

Baked Banana Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 80 reviews

Delicious baked banana donuts topped with a rich and nutty brown butter glaze. These moist, flavorful donuts are made with overripe bananas and warm spices, then baked to perfection before being dipped in a smooth, lightly sweetened brown butter glaze. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or an indulgent snack.

• Author: Luna
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 19 minutes
• Total Time: 34 minutes
• Yield: 6 large donuts 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Brown Butter Glaze

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp heavy whipping cream (hot)

For the Banana Donuts

• 2 overripe bananas (about 200g)
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 egg (at room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Make the brown butter: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat for about 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently. Watch carefully until the butter forms a thick foam and turns a golden brown color with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat.
2. Prepare the brown butter glaze: Pour the browned butter into a bowl, add powdered sugar, and stir until combined. Place the mixture in the refrigerator to solidify while making the donuts.
3. Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease your donut pan with cooking spray and set aside. (Note: Using a large donut pan will yield donuts similar in size to those from a donut shop.)
4. Make the donut batter: In a large bowl, mash the overripe bananas. Add oil, egg, vanilla extract, and brown sugar; mix well until combined.
5. Add dry ingredients: Gently fold in the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Be careful not to overmix to keep the donuts tender.
6. Fill the donut pan: Divide the batter evenly into the six prepared donut cavities.
7. Bake the donuts: Bake for 17-19 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
8. Cool the donuts: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Prepare the glaze: Remove the brown butter mixture from the refrigerator; it will be solid. Add the hot heavy cream and whisk vigorously until smooth and creamy. If the glaze is too thick, add additional hot cream in 1/2 tablespoon increments until desired consistency is reached.
10. Glaze the donuts: Dip each cooled donut into the brown butter glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Optionally, decorate with caramelized banana slices or enjoy the donuts as is.

Notes

• Use overripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moistness in the donuts.
• Do not overmix the batter to ensure the donuts remain tender and fluffy.
• A large donut pan works best for this recipe to achieve bakery-style donut size.
• The brown butter glaze can be adjusted to your preferred thickness by adding hot heavy cream incrementally.
• Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: banana donuts,baked donuts,brown butter glaze,banana dessert,baked banana treats