Oh wow, these maple sprinkle donuts are just so fun. The sweet glaze shines and the colorful sprinkles make me smile. I couldn’t wait to grab one right off the plate.

The maple flavor is warm and cozy. Each bite feels soft, sweet, and a little nutty. And those sprinkles? They add crunch that makes it even better.

I wanted to keep eating them because they taste like a mix of fall mornings and happy treats. They’re easy to love, and honestly, I’d make them again anytime.

So yeah, you should try these too. Bake a batch, taste that maple glaze, and let the sprinkles bring joy. It’s simple, and it’s worth it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Reader Favorite: These donuts are a hit with everyone who tries them. A reader raves, “I can’t stop making these! The maple flavor is just perfect.”
Light and Fluffy: The combination of ingredients creates soft, pillowy donuts with a light texture.
Quick to Make: With just a few simple steps, you’ll have fresh, homemade donuts ready in under an hour.
Fun and Festive: The colorful sprinkles on top make these donuts a joy to look at and even more fun to eat.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re making them for a brunch, a party, or just to treat yourself, these donuts will be a crowd-pleaser every time.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before we jump into the recipe, make sure you have the following tools:

Donut Pan: You’ll need a donut pan for baking the donuts. These pans come in various sizes, but a standard 6- or 12-donut pan should work perfectly.
Mixing Bowls: A large mixing bowl and a medium bowl for combining your wet and dry ingredients.
Whisk: A whisk to incorporate the ingredients evenly.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key for getting the perfect donut consistency.
Wire Rack: To cool the donuts after baking, ensuring they stay crispy and fluffy.
Spoon or Piping Bag: For transferring the donut batter into the pan.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these indulgent donuts. The ingredients are simple and easy to find in any kitchen.

For the Donuts:

All-Purpose Flour: 1 ½ cups, sifted. This is the base for your donuts and provides structure.
Granulated Sugar: ¾ cup, for the sweetness that balances the maple syrup.
Baking Powder: 2 tsp, which helps the donuts rise and stay fluffy.
Salt: ½ tsp, to enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness.
Whole Milk: ½ cup, for the moisture that makes the donuts soft.
Unsalted Butter: 4 tbsp, melted, to create a tender crumb.
Large Eggs: 2, to bind the ingredients together and provide structure.
Vanilla Extract: 1 tsp, for a sweet, aromatic background flavor.
Maple Syrup: ¼ cup, for that signature maple flavor that makes these donuts stand out.

For the Maple Glaze:

Powdered Sugar: 1 ½ cups, sifted, for a smooth and glossy glaze.
Maple Syrup: 3 tbsp, to intensify the maple flavor.
Milk: 2 tbsp, for thinning the glaze to the perfect consistency.
Rainbow Sprinkles: For a pop of color and texture on top of the glaze.

Variations for Maple Sprinkle Donuts

Want to switch things up? Here are a few variations you can try:

Add Chopped Pecans or Walnuts: For a nutty crunch, sprinkle finely chopped pecans or walnuts over the glaze before it sets.
Chocolate Drizzle: After glazing the donuts, drizzle some melted chocolate for a rich, decadent twist.
Cinnamon Sugar Coating: After glazing the donuts, dust them with cinnamon sugar for a spiced-up version.
Maple Bacon Donuts: Top your maple donuts with crispy bacon bits for a sweet and savory combination.
Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-free version of these donuts.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Donut Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your donut pan with a little butter or non-stick cooking spray to ensure the donuts come out easily once baked.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and helps the donuts rise properly.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Make sure the butter has cooled slightly before adding it to the wet ingredients to prevent scrambling the eggs.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently stir using a spatula or whisk. Mix until just combined – be careful not to overmix, as this could result in dense donuts. The batter should be thick but pourable.

5. Fill the Donut Pan

Using a spoon or a piping bag, carefully spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full. This ensures that the donuts bake evenly and have a nice rise.

6. Bake the Donuts

Place the donut pan in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden on the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake the donuts, as this could make them dry.

7. Cool the Donuts

Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before glazing.

8. Prepare the Maple Glaze

While the donuts are cooling, make the maple glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach a pourable consistency.

9. Glaze the Donuts

Once the donuts are cool, dip each donut into the maple glaze, ensuring that the top is fully coated. Gently shake off any excess glaze, then place the donuts back on the wire rack to allow the glaze to set.

10. Add the Sprinkles

While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle rainbow sprinkles over the top of each donut for a fun and colorful finish. You can also use different colored sprinkles based on the occasion.

How to Serve Maple Sprinkle Donuts

These donuts are perfect for a variety of occasions and pair well with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Here are some fun ideas for serving them:

Brunch: Serve them as a sweet option at a brunch with friends and family, alongside savory dishes like scrambled eggs, bacon, and avocado toast.
Afternoon Snack: Enjoy a donut with your favorite beverage for a mid-day pick-me-up.
Kids’ Parties: The colorful sprinkles make these donuts perfect for birthday parties or other celebrations for kids.
Gift them: Package these donuts in a cute box and gift them to friends and loved ones for a sweet surprise.

Storing Maple Sprinkle Donuts

If you have leftover donuts (which is unlikely!), here’s how you can store them:

Room Temperature: Place the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best when eaten fresh, but will stay delicious for a little while.
Refrigeration: If you want to keep them fresh for longer, store the donuts in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The glaze may harden a bit, but the donuts will still be soft and flavorful.
Freezing: Freeze the donuts for up to 2 months. Allow the donuts to cool completely before wrapping them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and placing them in a freezer bag. To reheat, simply warm them in the microwave for about 20 seconds.

Nutrition

Here’s an estimated breakdown of the nutrition per serving (one donut):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	210
Total Fat	8g
Saturated Fat	4.5g
Cholesterol	35mg
Sodium	80mg
Total Carbohydrates	31g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Sugars	18g
Protein	2g

Please note that nutrition values may vary depending on exact ingredient measurements and serving sizes.