These baked crumb donuts are a marriage of moist, vanilla-infused cake and a generous layer of buttery cinnamon crumbs topped with a wonderful vanilla glaze! The perfect baked crumb donut.

Baked Crumb donuts piled high on a cake plate and several on a serving dish with a craft of milk in the background.

Updated: April 11, 2025

Today, we’re diving into the delightful world of baked crumb donuts. These fluffy treats combine the comforting flavors of a classic crumb cake with the irresistible charm of a donut, all baked to perfection.

I was a little late to the “baked donut” party…but you have to admit, I brought a really great recipe to the event!

This recipe promises to bring joy to your taste buds and warmth to your home. Let’s get started on creating these heavenly delights!

Ingredients

Crumb Topping

1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, or you can use pumpkin pie spice for a more flavorful topping
2/3 cup of all-purpose flour
3 Tablespoons finely chopped almonds (optional)
1/8 cup of butter, melted.

Donuts

1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
½ teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup sour cream, full-fat
3 Tablespoons Buttermilk
2½ Tablespoons butter, melted
1 large egg, at room temperature

Vanilla Glaze

½ Cup confectioners sugar (powder sugar)
½ Tablespoon milk, 2% or whole
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients for baked crumb donuts in glass bowls on a white counter.

How to Make Baked Crumb Donuts

Preheat the oven to 350° degrees and spray the donut pan with non-stick cooking spray. I spray my non-stick pans to be sure the dough doesn’t stick.

This recipe makes 6 donuts. (I’ve squeezed out 7 before). For a dozen you will need to double the recipe.

Preparing Crumb Topping

Place all the crumb ingredients in a small bowl. Add the finely chopped almonds if you are including them.

Crumb topping ingredients in a small glass bowl. Melted butter being added.

I use a fork to begin blending ingredients. I switch midway through, using my fingers to mix to a fine crumb. Once the crumb topping is mixed together, set aside while you make the donut batter.

Using fingers to create a fine crumb mixture for the crumb topping.

Donut Batter

In a medium-sized bowl, add flour, light brown sugar, salt, and baking powder.

Whisk together until well blended. Why “whisk” the dry ingredients together? Whisking replaces “sifting” dry ingredients, creating a lighter lump-free batter. (I need a little whisking myself…if ya know what I mean friends! Lol)

Dry ingredients are combined with a wire whisk.

Add the sour cream, melted butter, large egg and buttermilk. Mix until combined. Be careful not to over mix the batter.

Adding wet ingredients to the dry donut ingredient batter.

The batter will be thick, making it easy to pipe into the prepared donut baking pans.

TIP: This is a stiff dough so do not panic if it is thicker than you were expecting.

I use a disposable piping bag to pipe the dough into the prepared baking pans. However, as noted in the tip below, you can use a zip-lock bag! I honestly wouldn’t even attempt to fill the donut pans without piping the batter.

TIP: Place the mixed dough into a large plastic zip-lock bag and cut off one corner to pipe the dough into the prepared doughnut baking pan. This makes it so easy to fill the donut pan and SO easy to clean up! (Seriously, ANY day I can toss a dirty cooking utensil into the trash rather than washing it…SCORE…GOOD DAY!)

Sprinkle the tops with the crumb topping. About 1½ tablespoons per donut. I use a tablespoon, but you can just use your fingers to sprinkle the crumb topping on each unbaked donut.

Sprinkle the top of each unbaked doughnut with crumb topping.

Baking Instructions

Place in the preheated oven, and cook for 11–15 minutes. Cook times vary depending on the oven.

Donuts will rise and may even cover the hole. Don’t worry if that happens. We’re going to fix that. (I’m a Mom and I can fix anything…don’t believe me… I’m the master of hot gluing on merit badges before a scout court of honor! That’s right… I ROCK the glue gun too! Lol)

While the donuts are cooling in the pan, take a butter knife and gently push the dough back, creating the hole in the center. Ta-da! You are an official donut hole fixer! I do not generally find this necessary, but you can do it if you like.

Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool. (Unless you enjoy playing “tossing the donut” and watching it fall apart! I DO NOT recommend playing this game! Let them COOL!!!)

Preparing and Applying the Vanilla Glaze

To prepare the vanilla glaze, add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract and milk to a small bowl. Using a small whisk, or spoon, mix to combine.

TIP: If the glaze is too thick, you can add a touch more milk to reach the desired consistency.

Vanilla donut glaze in a small bowl with a little wisk.

Drizzle the glaze over the cooled donuts. Make sure the donuts are cooled, so the glaze will set. If they are still warm, the glaze will not set and will soak into the donut.

TIP: Place a sheet of wax paper under your cooling rack, or a large baking sheet, to catch the drips from the glaze. This makes cleaning up a breeze.

Glaze drizzled over crumb donuts on a cooling rack with a baking sheet underneath it.

Don’t those donuts look delicious! So simple and no frying. No frying mess!

They come together quickly. A delicious “coffee cake” in donut form! I love cake donuts, so for me these were AHHHH-Mazing!

From the first bite to the last…they are everything you want a crumb cake donut to be. Don’t be too shocked if you hear heavenly choirs of angels singing as you sink your teeth into one!

TIP: I recommend storing them in an airtight container or large zip-lock bag. You can heat them slightly in the microwave before serving. They store well for up to three days.

Crumb donut with a bite taken out of it.

These donuts are tender, moist, and delicious. The crunchy cinnamon almond topping is to DIE for! A true “crumb” topping. Top it off with the vanilla glaze and you’ve got the perfect baked donut!

Baked crumb donuts on a cake plate, piled high with glaze dripping down the sides.

Other favorite Donut Recipes

Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or friends, these donuts are a perfect way to share warmth and happiness.

Happy Nesting! Come back soon!

Printable Recipe Card

Crumb Baked Donuts

Name: Crumb Baked Donuts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 21 min
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar; 1 Tablespoon Refined Sugar; ¼ teaspoon cinnamon; ⅔ cup all-purpose flour; 3 Tablespoons almonds, chopped (optional); ⅛ cup butter (melted.); 1 cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup light brown sugar (packed); ½ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ cup Sour Cream; 3 Tablespoon Buttermilk; 2 ½ Tablespoons butter (melted); 1 large egg (at room temperature); ½ Cup Confectioners sugar; ½ Tablespoon Whole Milk; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Baked Crumb Donuts are like hand held Coffee Cakes with holes! So moist and tender and all that yummy crumb topping!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 21

Servings baked donuts

Calories 371 kcal