Hey y'all! If you love the perfect blend of sweet and salty, these Salted Caramel Donuts with Caramel Glaze are about to become your new obsession. They're soft, fluffy, and have a melt-in-your-mouth caramel flavor that just begs for a second (or third) bite. Whether you're hosting brunch, celebrating a special occasion, or simply treating yourself, this recipe promises bakery-quality donuts right from your kitchen. Let's get cooking!
Why You'll Love This Salted Caramel Donuts with Caramel Glaze Recipe
- Rich, buttery caramel notes blend beautifully with a kiss of sea salt for a flavor explosion.
- Baked (not fried), making them lighter yet irresistibly moist and tender.
- The caramel glaze sets to a gorgeous, glistening finish—perfect for impressing guests.
- Easy-to-follow steps mean you’ll have fresh donuts in under an hour.
- Customizable toppings let you take these salted caramel donuts in fun new directions.
Ingredients for Salted Caramel Donuts with Caramel Glaze
For the Donuts
- 1 ½ cups (185g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ¼ cup (60ml) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup (100g) store-bought or homemade salted caramel sauce (get a recipe here)
For the Caramel Glaze
- ¼ cup (60g) salted caramel sauce (plus more for drizzling, optional)
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tablespoon (30–45ml) heavy cream (as needed)
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Directions: How to Make Salted Caramel Donuts with Caramel Glaze
Step 1: Prep & Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with baking spray and set aside.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and salted caramel sauce until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently mix until just combined (don’t overmix).
Step 3: Fill and Bake
Spoon the batter into a piping bag or zip-top bag. Pipe the batter evenly into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full. Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the donuts spring back lightly when touched. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
Step 4: Prepare the Caramel Glaze
While the donuts cool, whisk together salted caramel sauce and powdered sugar in a bowl. Add cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the glaze is thick yet pourable.
Step 5: Glaze and Garnish
Dip each donut top in the caramel glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Place back on the rack, immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and let the glaze set for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Notes: Extra Tips for Salted Caramel Donuts with Caramel Glaze
- For a deeper caramel flavor, try making your own salted caramel sauce.
- Avoid overmixing the batter—mix just until you see no streaks of flour for the fluffiest donuts.
- Don’t skip the sea salt finishing touch; it elevates the entire donut experience!
Salted Caramel Donuts with Caramel Glaze Variations
- Chocolate Caramel Donuts: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and top with chocolate chips before baking.
- Caramel-Nut Donuts: Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans over the glaze for a nutty crunch.
- Espresso Caramel Donuts: Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder to the batter for a coffee twist.
Required Equipment for Salted Caramel Donuts with Caramel Glaze
- Donut pan (standard size, nonstick preferred)
- Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
- Whisk and spatula
- Piping bag or zip-top bag
- Wire rack
Storage Instructions: Salted Caramel Donuts with Caramel Glaze
Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For best freshness, avoid stacking, and rewarm slightly before serving if desired.
Suggested Pairings & Serving Recommendations
- Pair with a strong cup of coffee or a rich hot chocolate for the ultimate sweet treat.
- Serve at brunch alongside a fresh fruit salad to balance flavors.
- For dessert, drizzle extra caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Pro Tips for Perfect Salted Caramel Donuts with Caramel Glaze
- If caramel glaze is too thick, add more cream—too thin, add extra powdered sugar (learn more here).
- Bake immediately after mixing; letting the batter sit can deflate the donuts.
- For perfectly shaped donuts, fill the pan cavities evenly with a piping bag rather than spooning the batter.
Salted Caramel Donuts with Caramel Glaze FAQ
- Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
- Yes! Use a muffin tin, but reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes and shape a hole in the center with foil balls if you want a true donut look.
- Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
- Absolutely—just choose a quality brand for the best taste or refer to this homemade option.
- Are these donuts freezer-friendly?
- Yes, freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months—thaw and glaze before serving for freshest results.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12–14 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup caramel sauce (plus more for the glaze)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for the glaze)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt (for sprinkling)
Instructions
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1Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
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2In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
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3In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, caramel sauce, and vanilla extract until smooth.
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4Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
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5Fill the donut pan cavities about ¾ full and bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
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6For the glaze, whisk together caramel sauce and powdered sugar until smooth. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze, sprinkle with sea salt, and let set before serving.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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