Maple Donuts with Bacon Garnish Recipe

If you’re anything like me, you’ll absolutely adore this Maple Donuts with Bacon Garnish Recipe. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, combining fluffy homemade donuts with a glossy maple glaze and the irresistible crunch of crispy bacon bits on top. Trust me, once you try these, your kitchen will smell like a little slice of heaven, and your family will be begging for more. Let me walk you through everything you need to know to conquer this delightful recipe in your own home.

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient here plays a special role in making these donuts stand out. From aromatic spices to the creamy half & half and rich melted butter, each piece contributes to that tender crumb and delightful flavor. Plus, the maple glaze is the real star, especially when topped with bacon!

• All-purpose flour: This is your donut foundation; I tried cake flour once but found all-purpose gives that classic donut texture we all love.
• Baking powder: Helps the donuts puff up perfectly—freshness matters here, so check your expiration.
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and bring all flavors together.
• Ground nutmeg: Adds a warm, subtle spice that’s essential to that classic donut flavor.
• Ground cinnamon: A tiny pinch enhances the spice profile without overpowering.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create a tender crumb.
• Large eggs: Adds structure and moisture to your batter.
• Pure vanilla extract: Gives that comforting vanilla aroma and flavor boost.
• Melted unsalted butter: Enriches the dough with buttery goodness without adding saltiness.
• Half & half: I prefer half & half here for richness, but whole milk works if that’s what you have on hand.
• Neutral frying oil: Vegetable or safflower oil works best for frying without imparting extra flavors.
• Bacon strips: Crisp and chop for garnish—trust me, bacon on donuts is a game-changer.
• Powdered sugar: The base for the luscious maple glaze.
• Milk or half & half (for glaze): Use to thin the glaze just right.
• Maple flavor: Boosts that signature maple taste in the glaze.
• Pure vanilla extract (for glaze): Rounds out the glaze’s flavor with a smooth, sweet touch.

Variations

One of the best things about this Maple Donuts with Bacon Garnish Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste or dietary needs. I love experimenting with different twists, and you can totally make this your own!

• Gluten-Free: I tried substituting a gluten-free all-purpose blend once, and while the texture was a little different, the flavor still shined through beautifully.
• Maple Glaze Swap: For a richer glaze, try using pure maple syrup instead of maple flavoring—just reduce the milk to keep it thick enough.
• Spice it Up: Adding a little ground cardamom or ginger is a delicious way to add warmth during the fall and winter months.
• Bacon Alternatives: If bacon’s not your thing, toasted pecans or candied walnuts make a fantastic garnish too.

How to Make Maple Donuts with Bacon Garnish Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Dry Mix and Whip Eggs

Start by whisking together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. I love this step because it aerates the flour a bit, making your donuts lighter. In a separate large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat sugar and eggs on medium-high until thick and pale—about 2 to 3 minutes. This whipped egg-sugar combo gives the donuts a lovely rise and tenderness. Then beat in the vanilla and melted butter until smooth and combined.

Step 2: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients Alternately

This is where patience pays off. Add about one-third of your dry mix to the egg mixture, then gently stir with a wooden spoon. Pour in half of the half & half, stir again, then alternate again with dry ingredients and the remaining half & half until all is combined. The key? Don’t over-mix! I learned this the hard way. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, which helps keep your donuts tender instead of tough.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough with plastic wrap directly on the surface so it doesn’t dry out, and pop it in the fridge for one hour. This chilling step makes rolling out and cutting the dough so much easier—and it helps keep its shape while frying.

Step 4: Prepare Maple Glaze and Crisp Bacon

While the dough chills, whisk together powdered sugar, milk or half & half, maple flavor, and vanilla extract to make a smooth, thick glaze. Keep it covered at room temperature until you’re ready to dip your donuts. Meanwhile, fry bacon strips until crispy, drain on paper towels, then chop into small pieces. This savory crunch on your sweet donuts is what makes this recipe unforgettable!

Step 5: Roll, Cut, and Fry the Donuts

Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin, then roll out the dough to about ½ inch thick. Use a 3-inch donut cutter for the outer dough and a 1-inch cutter for holes—although I personally don’t fry donut holes and just re-roll the scraps to make more donuts. Heat your oil to 365°F in a heavy pot or Dutch oven, then carefully fry 3 donuts at a time for about 1 minute per side until golden and puffed. Drain on paper towels to lose excess oil. This fast frying time means you’ll have fresh, hot donuts in no time.

Step 6: Glaze and Garnish

Wait until the donuts are just warm or at room temperature, then dunk each generously into the maple glaze. Let excess drip back into the bowl, then place on a wire rack. Immediately sprinkle chopped crispy bacon on top so it sticks perfectly to the glaze. Voilà—your beautiful, mouthwatering maple donuts with bacon garnish are ready to impress!

How to Serve Maple Donuts with Bacon Garnish Recipe

Garnishes

I love the classic crispy chopped bacon on top of these donuts because it adds a salty crunch that perfectly complements the sweet maple glaze. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a few chopped toasted pecans for extra texture. If you want a fancy touch, a light dusting of powdered sugar makes these look bakery-ready.

Side Dishes

These donuts shine best with a big mug of strong coffee or hot maple-spiced latte. If you’re serving them for brunch, pair with fresh fruit like strawberries or a simple green salad with citrus vinaigrette to balance out the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to stack these donuts on a tiered platter, drizzling extra maple glaze over the sides and sprinkling bacon bits generously on each layer. You can also serve them alongside mini mason jars of maple syrup for dipping. It makes the experience feel extra fun and indulgent.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. I recommend storing the glaze and bacon separately if you can, to keep the donuts from getting soggy. But honestly, these rarely last that long!

Freezing

I’ve successfully frozen these donuts before by wrapping each one individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze well for up to a month. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw at room temperature.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-out-of-the-fryer softness, I pop frozen or leftover donuts into a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This warms them gently without drying them out. Reapply the maple glaze and bacon after reheating for best results.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I have to say, this Maple Donuts with Bacon Garnish Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen routine. It’s that kind of treat that turns a simple morning into a celebration, and the combination of flavors makes it utterly irresistible. I love sharing them with friends and watching their faces light up at that first bite—the glaze dripping, bacon crunching, and soft donut melting in your mouth. Give this recipe a try and see how it quickly becomes a favorite in your household, too!

Print