Introduction

These baked banana donuts are a delightful twist on a classic treat, featuring the natural sweetness of overripe bananas and a rich brown butter glaze. Soft, moist, and full of warm flavors, they make a perfect snack or breakfast indulgence.

Baked Banana Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze Recipe - Recipe Image

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 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

Step 1: Make the brown butter by melting 1/2 cup of butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook it for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until it forms a thick foam on the surface and smells nutty. Be careful not to burn it.
Step 2: Pour the browned butter into a bowl, add 4 tablespoons of powdered sugar, and mix until combined. Place this mixture in the fridge to solidify while you prepare the donuts.
Step 3: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a donut pan with cooking spray and set it aside.
Step 4: In a large bowl, mash the 2 overripe bananas. Add 1/4 cup oil, 1 room temperature egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Mix until well combined.
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 wet ingredients. Gently fold together until just combined; avoid over mixing.
Step 6: Divide the batter evenly into the 6 prepared donut cavities in the pan. Bake for 17-19 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: To make the glaze, remove the brown butter mixture from the fridge. It will be solid. Add 3 tablespoons of hot heavy whipping cream and whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
Step 9: If the glaze is too thick, add hot cream 1/2 tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Step 10: Dip each cooled donut into the brown butter glaze, then set aside to let the glaze set. Decorate with caramelized banana slices if desired, or enjoy plain.

Tips & Variations

Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moist texture.
If you don’t have a donut pan, bake the batter in a muffin tin for banana muffin cups.
Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for extra texture.
For a lighter glaze, reduce the powdered sugar slightly or add a splash of lemon juice for contrast.

Storage

Store the banana donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving. Keep the glaze refrigerated separately if storing leftover glaze.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar?

Yes, you can substitute brown sugar with regular granulated sugar, but the donuts may lose some of their deep, caramel-like flavor that brown sugar provides.

Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the brown butter glaze in advance and store it in the fridge. Reheat gently and whisk in hot cream before using to restore its smooth consistency.

Baked Banana Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 92 reviews

Delight in these moist and flavorful baked banana donuts topped with a rich and nutty brown butter glaze. Made with overripe bananas, warm spices, and a luscious homemade glaze, these donuts offer a perfect balance of sweetness and comforting flavors without the heaviness of deep frying.

Author: Cleo
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 large donuts 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Brown Butter Glaze

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

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

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 immediately to prevent burning.
Prepare the glaze base: Transfer the browned butter into a bowl and stir in the powdered sugar until well combined. Refrigerate the mixture until it solidifies while you prepare the donuts.
Preheat the oven and prepare donut pan: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray your donut pan thoroughly with cooking spray and set it aside. Using a large donut pan will yield large, bakery-style donuts.
Mix wet ingredients for the donuts: In a large bowl, mash the overripe bananas until smooth. Add the oil, egg, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. Mix gently until the ingredients are fully combined.
Add dry ingredients: Sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture, mixing gently to avoid overmixing which can make the donuts tough.
Fill the donut pan: Evenly divide the batter among the six prepared donut cavities, filling each about 3/4 full to allow room for rising.
Bake the donuts: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 17-19 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a donut; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool the donuts: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them carefully to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Prepare the glaze: Remove the brown butter mixture from the refrigerator. It will be solid at this point. Add the hot heavy cream and whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. If too thick, gradually add more hot cream, 1/2 tablespoon at a time, until you reach a thick glaze consistency.
Glaze the donuts: Dip each cooled donut into the brown butter glaze, coating the top thoroughly. Let the excess drip off and set aside to allow the glaze to firm up slightly.
Serve and enjoy: Optionally, decorate the glazed donuts with caramelized banana slices or enjoy them plain for a rich and comforting treat.

Notes

Use a large donut pan for bakery-style donuts; mini pans will yield smaller portions and adjust baking time accordingly.
Do not overmix the batter to keep the donuts tender and soft.
If you want a sweeter glaze, you can add more powdered sugar, but the brown butter and banana sweetness usually balance well.
Caramelized banana slices make a beautiful and tasty garnish.
Make sure bananas are very ripe for optimal sweetness and moisture.

Keywords: banana donuts, baked donuts, brown butter glaze, homemade donuts, banana dessert, cinnamon donuts, healthy donuts