Baked Chai Donuts with Bourbon Glaze
Baked chai donuts are light, fluffy, and full of warming spices with a bourbon glaze. Easy homemade donuts perfect for cozy mornings and fall baking.
Servings 6 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp cardamom powder
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ cup strong brewed black tea
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 vanilla bean split and seeds scraped, or vanilla paste
- 1 egg
Bourbon Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbsp bourbon or vanilla, or milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Spray a donut baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl add the all purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, cardamom powder, ground cloves, and kosher salt. Whisk together until incorporated well.
- In a small bowl, add the brewed black tea, vegetable oil, vanilla bean seeds, and egg. Whisk together until incorporated. Fold into the flour mixture until combined. Spoon into prepared donut baking pan. Bake 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before glazing.
Make the Bourbon Glaze
- In a small bowl add the powdered sugar and bourbon and stir to combine. Dip tops of donuts into the glaze and set aside to set.
Notes
Tips for Storing
- Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months. Thaw and glaze before serving.
- To refresh, warm donuts briefly in the microwave or oven before enjoying.
FAQs
Can I make these donuts ahead of time?Yes, you can bake them a day ahead and glaze just before serving for the best texture. Do I need a donut pan?
A donut pan creates the signature shape, but you can also bake this batter in a muffin tin and call them “chai donut muffins.” Can I fry this batter instead?
No, this batter is meant for baking and won’t hold up in oil like traditional fried donut dough. How strong should the tea be?
Brew a strong cup of black tea (double the tea bags or loose leaf). A robust tea flavor ensures it doesn’t get lost among the spices. Can I skip the glaze?
Absolutely. These donuts are delicious plain or dusted with powdered sugar if you prefer a lighter topping.
Nutrition
Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 41IU | Vitamin C: 0.05mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 1mg
