Crumb Donuts
The best desserts have streusel on top, am I right or am I right? Something soft and sweet topped with something crunchy and sweet? We love the way blueberry cobbler for two has a soft, soupy blueberry mixture topped with a crisp sweet topping, right? It’s pretty much the absolute most we can ask for in a dessert. Buttery bits of cinnamon and brown sugar clumped together just have a way of making you lick your fingers to pick up every last crumb. Streusel, or crumb topping, is usually relegated to desserts after dinner, like an easy apple crisp. But what about those of us that want a buttery crumb topping at breakfast time? I think that while coffee cake muffins piled high with streusel are great, muffin tops really lack enough surface area to hold an insane amount of crumb topping. I’m inspired by the crisp crunchy crumb topping on my sour cream coffee cake muffins when making these crumb donuts. I wanted more crumb surface area–an absolutely insane amount of topping! Crumbs are the best part!
What are the crumbs on crumb donuts?
I’m so glad you want to break down the exact science of buttery crumb topping with me. It’s really the best part of life! Crumb topping on baked goods are made out of butter, flour, brown sugar, and a small amount of cinnamon. Sometimes salt is added to balance the flavor. Also be aware that you can sometimes find nuts in crumb toppings. I don’t call for nuts, but I’ve seen them at bakeries with pecans and walnuts.
What flavor are crumb donuts?
This base of this recipe is a basic baked vanilla and nutmeg-scented donut. The nutmeg gives a baked doughnut a unique flavor that can almost pass as fried. It’s definitely not exact, but the nutmeg is very welcome here. If you don’t have it, still make the recipe–you will love it! What makes it insane and over-the-top is that the crumb topping that you pop in the oven at the same time the donuts are baking. Making the crumb mixture this slightly unusual way is what makes it EXTRA CRISPY! Instead of putting the crumbs on the actual doughnuts before baking, we’re going to bake the crumbs separately on a sheet pan, and they will flatten out like one big cookie. Look at the photos below for the example, and watch the video, too! Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t turn much past golden-brown. As soon as it comes out of the oven, you flake it with a fork to create the crisp crumbs. All that’s left to do is dunk the warm donuts in a simple glaze, and pile the crumb topping on top. It can be a personal achievement to see who can pile as many crumbs on top! It’s also a personal achievement to avoid eating it right off the pan, hah! The baked donut pan I love the most is this one. It’s nonstick, and I love that each pan only holds 6 doughnuts, because that’s exactly how many treats we’re making today! This is a small batch baking blog, remember? Yes, you can double the recipe!
Ingredients for crumb doughnuts:
unsalted butter: You’ll need this for the crumb topping and the doughnuts themselves. all-purpose flour brown sugar: I like light brown sugar for crumb toppings. cinnamon granulated sugar baking powder salt nutmeg: Just a small amount of nutmeg in baked doughnuts gives them a fried taste. If you don’t have it, omit and make the recipe as normal. milk: Whole milk is best for baking, but you can use 2%. egg white: This recipe calls for just one egg white. Reserve the egg yolk for another use. Here’s a list of recipes to use egg yolks that are leftover. vanilla extract powdered sugar
Steps to make crumb baked donuts:
Crumb baked donuts just might be the best way to start your weekend. In my family, 6 donuts are perfect for us. My husband and I each have 1 or 2, and the kids can split a donuts. If I have any leftover, I just rewarm them in the toaster oven to re-crisp the crumb topping.
Can I make this in advance?
Yes, you can make part of this recipe in advance. The night before, bake the donuts and crumb topping. Break up the crumbs, and leave them out (uncovered) at room temperature. The next morning, make the donut glaze, dip the donuts, and then roll in the crumbs. You can also rewarm the donuts before doing this for a few seconds in the microwave. Other baked donuts to make in your donut pan:
Mint Chip Donuts Pumpkin Donuts with Honey Glaze Chocolate Chai Donuts
brown sugar: I like light brown sugar for crumb toppings.nutmeg: Just a small amount of nutmeg in baked doughnuts gives them a fried taste. If you don’t have it, omit and make the recipe as normal.milk: Whole milk is best for baking, but you can use 2%.egg white: This recipe calls for just one egg white. Reserve the egg yolk for another use. Here’s a list of recipes to use egg yolks that are leftover.
Wilton 6-Cavity Doughnut Baking Pan
