Vegan Gingerbread Donuts with Chai Glaze
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Vegan Gingerbread Donuts with Chai Glaze
These baked Vegan Gingerbread Donuts + Chai Glaze are a healthier option to a Holiday classic + favorite combo—Gingerbread + Chai! Not only are they completely moist + fluffy, but they're also loaded with warm ginger and spices, and just melts in your mouth with goodness. Gluten-free + Make ahead option.
Why Homemade Vegan Gingerbread Donuts Are The PERFECT Holiday Treat!
When it comes to this recipe, I'm so happy to finally share it because it's SO GOOD! Donuts are one of my go-to weekend breakfast recipes. And while I enjoy a store-bought doughnut every now and then, I find that homemade is so much better. When you make donuts at home, you can easily control the ingredients and how they’re made. So I figured I would add my two favorite flavors gingerbread + chai.
If you've already seen our Vegan Gingerbread Cake + Chai Buttercream recipe, then you can understand our obsession with this delicious combo! There's just something about the slight spicy flavors of gingerbread and the deep spices of the chai flavor----especially when put together. Just a burst of goodness.
If y'all are digging all the donut deliciousness, let me spill the beans on a few more donut recipes that'll surely win your hearts----Baked Vegan Pumpkin Spice Donuts, Homemade Baked Eggnog Donuts, and the Baked Vegan Apple Cider Donuts—each one a flavorful, cozy delight.
Okay back to these Baked Gingerbread Donuts! They are a healthier take on the classic----and are ready to devour in just 25 minutes. Perfect for holiday gatherings or simply treating yourself because, let's be real, who can resist the allure of a scrumptious donut?
Jump to:
- Why Homemade Vegan Gingerbread Donuts Are The PERFECT Holiday Treat!
- Donut vs. Doughnut
- How to Make Vegan Gingerbread Donuts with Chai
- Ingredients
- Simple Chai Glaze
- Baked vs Fried Doughnuts?
- Why You Will LOVE Vegan Gingerbread Donuts
- Perfect Occasions For Baked Gingerbread + Chai Donuts
- Equipment Needed for Baked Eggnog Donuts
- Can I Use A Different Sweetener?
- Cake Flour vs. All-Purpose Flour.
- How to Make Your Own Homemade Cake Flour
- Homemade Vegan Gingerbread + Chai Donuts Q + A's
- More Sweet Holiday Recipes to Try Next!
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Vegan Gingerbread Donuts + Chai Glaze
Donut vs. Doughnut
Donut vs. doughnut - It's the spelling dilemma that has perplexed people for ages. Some say "donut" is easier to spell and faster to say, while others argue "doughnut" is the more proper and sophisticated way to spell it.
How to Make Vegan Gingerbread Donuts with Chai
While homemade donuts might sound like a project recipe, they actually come together quite easily. To make these sweet treats, you’ll combine the dry ingredients in one bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients. Then combine the two and pipe the batter into a donut pan. Bake them up until golden and fully set. Finally, let the donuts cool before glazing them with your quick chai frosting.
Ingredients
DONUTS:
- Organic all-purpose flour. Provides the base structure for the recipe. (You can also sub with pastry flour; See Notes!)
- Baking powder: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the donuts rise.
- Baking soda: Assists in the leavening process, contributing to the donuts' texture.
- Organic brown sugar. Adds sweetness to the batter.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice + cloves. Infuses the batter with warm, aromatic spices, giving the donuts that holiday flavor.
- Sea salt: Enhances the overall taste by balancing the sweetness and flavors.
- Almond milk. (You can use your favorite plant-based milk!) Try my homemade almond milk recipe!
- Molasses. (See Notes!)
- Vegan butter. Melted (See Notes!)
- Vanilla extract. Use pure vanilla extract for the best vanilla flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar. Activates the leavening agents
REGULAR MOLASSES VS. BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES?!
OK, so if you aren’t aware, there are two types of Molasses—-regular and blackstrap.
While most people use regular molasses which is literally ‘bittersweet’, I tend to use blackstrap molasses in all of my recipes as a way to cut back on the sugar content.
Blackstrap is hardly used by many due to its bitterness and ‘heaviness’ when used in baking since it can make the texture of your baked goods more thick and dense if not used correctly.
That’s why I use only HALF THE AMOUNT of molasses that a recipe might otherwise require. That way, I get the darker color (not too dark) without compromising the texture or taste.
Simple Chai Glaze
A quick chai glaze adds shine, flavor, and extra sweetness to these vegan gingerbread donuts. To make a simple glaze while the donuts cool, you’ll need:
- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon chai mix
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk or other non-dairy milk
Simply mix all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl. Add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, or more powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach your desired thickness. The glaze should be drizzle-able but not so runny that it runs off of the donuts.
This easy dairy-free glaze recipe is good to keep in your back pocket. It works just as well on donuts as it does on cupcakes and cookies. It’s the perfect vegan icing for people who aren’t fond of frosting.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THESE FESTIVE DONUTS!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods, especially with this Vegan Gingerbread Donuts with Chai recipe! Everything from my fave loaf pan, wooden spoons, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Baked vs Fried Doughnuts?
In case you are new to making your own doughnuts or you just didn't really understand the full difference between the two---I wanted to break down the real distinction between a baked doughnut or donut and a fried one. Granted, both types taste absolutely amazing; however, once you've tried both, you'll notice the difference while eating.
Baked Doughnuts: These types of fluffy doughnuts are generally whipped together in a bowl (generally without yeast) and are lighter in texture. They can also be "cakey" depending on the ingredients used.
Fried Doughnuts: These types of fluffy doughnuts are generally denser in texture and have a bit of a crunchiness (on the outside) from being deep-fried. They typically have a sweeter flavor and richer texture.
Why You Will LOVE Vegan Gingerbread Donuts
- Better for you--Baked, not fried, for healthiness.
- Pure holiday-flavored bliss-- They're an absolute burst of gingerbread + chai goodness.
- Quick + EASY -- You won't believe how quickly these scrumptious donuts come together – perfect for satisfying donut cravings in a jiffy!
- Anytime, anywhere-- Whether it's breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these donuts are the chameleons of deliciousness.
- Irresistibly sweet-- The chai glaze coating takes them from "Yum!" to "YUM!" – it's the cherry on top!
Perfect Occasions For Baked Gingerbread + Chai Donuts
These events are a great excuse to eat these donuts!
- Holiday festivities
- Birthdays
- Barbecues
- Potlucks
- Kids Sleepovers
- Family gatherings
- Graduations
- Dinner parties
- Actually, any time is a good time for a donut, right? Bake away for a little weekday pep-up!
Equipment Needed for Baked Eggnog Donuts
The only unique piece of equipment you need to make this homemade gingerbread donuts recipe is a donut pan. If you're a donut fan, I highly recommend adding one to your kitchen toolbox. You'll never have to go out for donuts again, and you can always customize the ingredients, flavors, and decorations of your breakfast pastries!
The easiest way to fill a donut pan without a major mess is to pipe the batter into the rings. You don't need a special pastry bag, however. A simple gallon-sized Ziplock bag will do the trick. Simply fill the bag with your batter (work in batches to avoid over-filling the bag), then snip off one corner. Aim for a ¾-inch hole to pipe the batter cleanly into the donut rings in the pan.
The last piece of equipment you'll need is a wire cooling rack. Ensure your donuts are fully cooled before glazing them. Waiting for these treats to cool is the hardest part of the whole recipe! Then you can use stay fresh containers to store them in for a longer fresh time.
Can I Use A Different Sweetener?
Definitely! If you choose to opt out of cane sugar, you can always substitute with coconut sugar, Agave, or pure maple syrup instead. For liquid sweeteners, just adjust the amount of milk you use by reducing the amount to ¼ cup to start, slowly adding up to ½ cup. If you're interested in learning more about sweetener options see my post about The Best Healthy Sugar Alternatives + Substitutes!
Cake Flour vs. All-Purpose Flour.
When it comes to the main ingredient of this entire festive donut recipe—-the flour, I enjoy using Bob’s Red Mill Unbleached White All-Purpose Flour, which is ideal for all kinds of baking, including this one.
However, I do occasionally use Super-Fine Cake Flour which adds a nice airiness and fluffiness to your cakes or other baked goods as well.
How to Make Your Own Homemade Cake Flour
If you're in a pinch and you don't have any cake flour on hand, and you only have all-purpose flour---no worries! You can still achieve that extra fluffiness that cake flour would by simply adding 1 teaspoon of arrowroot or starch to your flour before whisking.
Homemade Vegan Gingerbread + Chai Donuts Q + A's
Yes. Absolutely. If you don't have a donut tin, you can make this donut recipe as muffins. Instead, they will be just as delicious! But if you love donuts as much as I do, I recommend investing in a donut tin ASAP.
Leftovers can be stored in a tightly sealed container and best if placed in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for ultimate freshness
Yes of course! Simply freeze the donuts (uncoated) in an airtight container for up to three months. To serve, defrost the donuts on the counter for several hours. Add the eggnog glaze just before serving.
Absolutely! To make these donuts GF, I recommend using a GF Flour Blend (Bob’s Red Mills has a great version!). NOTE: If the batter is too ‘thin + runny’, simply add additional GF flour, ¼ cup at a time.
Yes! Instead of vegetable oil, you can substitute with melted coconut oil or melted vegan butter for your Christmas donuts if preferred.
You sure can! To make more with this vegan donuts recipe, simply double or triple the amount of ingredients!
More Sweet Holiday Recipes to Try Next!
If you love this Vegan Gingerbread Donuts + Chai Glaze recipe, you'll love my other Winter treats!
- Peppermint Oreo Cheesecake
- Vegan Pumpkin Pecan Sticky Buns
- Vegan Chai Ginger Bread
- Best Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
- Vegan Pumpkin Pie
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Vegan Gingerbread Donuts + Chai Glaze recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.
Vegan Gingerbread Donuts + Chai Glaze
Ingredients
DONUTS:
- 1 ½ cups organic all-purpose flour
- 2 tsps baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup organic brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¾ cup Almond milk (You can use your favorite plant-based milk!)
- ¼ cup molasses (See Notes!)
- 3 Tbsps vegan butter, melted (See Notes!)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
CHAI GLAZE:
- 2 cups organic powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon chai spice mix (See Notes!)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 Tbsps Almond milk
Instructions
TO MAKE THE DONUTS:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray your donut baking pans that has 6-wells.
- In a bowl, add the milk + apple cider vinegar, whisking together well and letting it sit aside for 2-3 minutes. Then add the melted butter, molasses, vanilla, and whisk everything together.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and sea salt. Finally, stir in the dry ingredients until just well combined and batter is thick and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
- Spoon the batter into a piping bag and pipe batter it into prepared donut pan wells, filling them about ¾ of the way.
- Bake for 10-13 minutes or until toothpick inserted into donuts comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before releasing the donuts from their pan and unto a cooling rack to cool completely.
TO MAKE THE CHAI GLAZE:
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, chai spice mix, Almond milk, and vanilla until smooth and consistency is met. NOTE: For a thicker glaze, add additional powered sugar (1 tablespoon at a time) until consistency is met. For a desired thinner glaze, add additional milk (1 tablespoon at a time) until consistency is met.
- Once fully cooled, dip each donut into the prepared chai glaze and set them back onto cooling rack so that glaze hardens a bit. Repeat until all donuts are glazed.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Can be stored in a tightly sealed container and best if placed in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for ultimate freshness.
- FLOUR: If you want your donuts to be more of a ‘cakey’ texture, substitute 1 cup of All-purpose flour with Super-Fine Cake Flour.
- OIL: Instead of vegan butter, you can also use vegetable or coconut oil, if preferred.
- SWEETENER: If you choose to opt out of pure cane sugar, you can always substitute with coconut sugar, Agave, or pure maple syrup instead. For liquid sweeteners, just adjust the amount of milk used by reducing it by 2 Tbsps to start.
- GLUTEN-FREE VERSION: To make these donuts GF, I recommend using a GF Flour Blend (Bob’s Red Mills has a great version!). **NOTE: If the donuts mixture is too ‘thin + runny’, simply add additional GF flour, ¼ cup at a time.**
- CHAI SPICE MIX: 2 Tbsps cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1 teaspoon allspice, 1 teaspoon cardamom, ½ teaspoon ground cloves.
Nutrition
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