Old Fashioned Donut Muffins | A Simple Nostalgic Treat

The comforting aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg drifting through the house is enough to transport anyone back to a warm kitchen on a chilly morning. These old fashioned donut muffins combine the flavors of a traditional cake donut with the simplicity of a muffin. No frying necessary. Just mix, bake, glaze, and enjoy. With everyday ingredients and a soft crumb, this recipe is ideal for breakfast, snack time, or just because you feel like something cozy and sweet.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Old-Time Flavor Meets Home Baking
With spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and a buttery base, these muffins echo the classic taste of bakery-style donuts. The warm, familiar flavors are balanced with a soft texture and a crisp, sugary glaze, creating a delightful treat that feels homemade in every sense.

Skip the Fryer
You won’t need a fryer or a deep pan of oil to get the delicious flavor of a donut. These muffins bake beautifully, developing a lightly golden top and moist interior. They’re less messy, easier to make, and just as satisfying as their fried counterparts.

Perfect for Anytime
These muffins store well and even freeze wonderfully if you want to make a batch ahead. Once the glaze sets, they’re easy to pack for lunches or take to gatherings. They also reheat nicely, making them a great go-to bake for busy mornings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Butter
Adds richness and flavor, helping create a tender crumb and a lightly crisp top.

Vegetable Oil
Keeps the muffins moist and soft without making them greasy. Combining oil with butter offers the best of both textures.

White Sugar
Sweetens the muffins and helps the tops develop a slight crust during baking.

Brown Sugar
Provides a touch of molasses and depth, which adds complexity and softness.

Eggs
Bind the batter and provide structure and lightness during baking.

Baking Powder and Baking Soda
Work together to ensure the muffins rise well, giving them a light, domed top.

Cinnamon and Nutmeg
The key spices for achieving that signature old-fashioned donut flavor—warm, aromatic, and cozy.

Salt
Brings out the flavor of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness.

Vanilla Extract
Enhances the overall flavor and adds a smooth finish to both muffin and glaze.

All-Purpose Flour
Provides the structure for the muffins. Use a light hand while mixing to keep them tender.

Milk
Adds moisture and helps keep the crumb soft without being dense.

Glaze Ingredients
Melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and hot water come together to make a shiny, sweet glaze that hardens slightly for that crackled look and feel.

How to Make Old Fashioned Donut Muffins

Making these muffins is simple and rewarding. You’ll start by creaming together the fats and sugars, then mixing in the eggs and spices. The flour and milk go in alternately to prevent overmixing. Once baked, the muffins are dipped—twice—in glaze, creating a crackled, sugary finish just like traditional donuts.

It’s best to let the muffins cool for about ten minutes before glazing, which helps the coating set perfectly without melting off.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep
   Set your oven to 425°F and line a 12-cup muffin tray with paper liners or lightly grease each well.
2. Combine Butter, Oil, and Sugars
   In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, oil, white sugar, and brown sugar until creamy and smooth.
3. Add Eggs One at a Time
   Mix in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
4. Mix in Spices and Leaveners
   Add baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Stir just until evenly mixed.
5. Alternate Flour and Milk
   Add a third of the flour, followed by half the milk. Repeat this process until both are fully incorporated, ending with the last portion of flour. Mix gently.
6. Fill Muffin Tins
   Spoon the batter into each muffin cup, filling them about three-quarters full.
7. Bake Until Golden
   Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
8. Cool Before Glazing
   Let the muffins cool in the pan for five minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack and cool for another 10 minutes.
9. Make the Glaze
   Whisk together melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and hot water in a bowl until smooth.
10. Double Dip the Muffins
    Dip each muffin top into the glaze and let sit for five minutes. Then dip again for a thicker, more defined crackle effect.

Helpful Tips

Use room temperature ingredients to ensure everything blends smoothly. Be careful not to overmix the batter once you add the flour or the muffins can become tough. Letting the glaze set between dips gives the muffins a beautiful, bakery-style finish.

Details

Flavor: Warm, spiced, and slightly sweet
Texture: Soft interior with a lightly crisp glazed top
Occasion: Great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins

Notes

Swap regular milk for buttermilk if you prefer a slight tang. Add a pinch of ground clove or cardamom for a unique twist. These muffins can be frozen before glazing and reheated later for a fresh finish.

Nutritional Information (Per Muffin)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	260
Total Fat	12g
Saturated Fat	5g
Protein	4g
Carbohydrates	34g
Sugar	19g

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What gives old fashioned donut muffins their unique texture?
A mix of butter and oil creates richness and softness, while gentle mixing keeps the crumb tender.

Can you bake donut muffins instead of frying?
Absolutely. These muffins are designed to be baked, delivering similar flavor and texture to a fried cake donut.

How do you make the glaze crackle?
Dip the muffins twice in the glaze, allowing a short rest between each dip so the top develops that crackled finish.

Which spices are traditional for these muffins?
Nutmeg is essential, paired with cinnamon for warmth and depth of flavor.

Storage Instructions

Once glazed and cooled, store the muffins in a sealed container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze them unglazed and add the glaze once thawed. Wrap each muffin individually if freezing already glazed to prevent sticking.

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Conclusion

Old fashioned donut muffins deliver all the nostalgia of a classic donut with none of the frying fuss. The warm spices, tender interior, and sweet crackled glaze make them an instant favorite. Whether enjoyed with coffee in the morning or served as an afternoon treat, they’re a simple, heartwarming bake that brings joy in every bite.

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