Looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s a little unexpected for your Thanksgiving feast? Who says donuts are just for breakfast? These Brioche Donuts are the perfect blend of rich, fluffy goodness and festive fall flavors. Whether you’re hosting a full Thanksgiving dinner or need Halloween party dessert ideas for adults, these golden delights are guaranteed to impress. What’s not to love?
Top Reasons To Make It
These brioche donuts are not only delicious, they’re also surprisingly easy to make. The dough comes together beautifully, and baking them instead of frying means less mess and fuss. They’re the perfect make-ahead dessert, saving you precious time on Thanksgiving Day. Plus, they’re gorgeous—truly pretty fall desserts that would look stunning on any holiday table. And they’re fun! A playful twist on a classic breakfast treat.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour (structure)
- Instant yeast (rise)
- Granulated sugar (sweetness and browning)
- Milk (moisture)
- Eggs (richness)
- Unsalted butter (flavor and tenderness)
- Vanilla extract (warm flavor)
- Ground cinnamon (fall spice)
- Ground nutmeg (warm spice)
- Salt (balance)
- Cinnamon sugar (coating)
- Maple Glaze (for drizzling)
See the recipe card below for exact measurements.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Whisk in eggs, melted butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down dough and roll out to ½-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter to cut out donuts and holes.
- Place donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake donuts for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While donuts are still warm, toss in cinnamon sugar. Then drizzle with maple glaze. So good.
Variations & Substitutions
For a dairy-free version, substitute the milk with almond milk or soy milk, and the butter with vegan butter. To add a bit of a crunch to your fall pastry ideas, consider adding chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough. For a fun citrus twist, add a little orange zest! You can also adapt the glaze to your liking. A simple vanilla glaze or a spiced apple cider glaze would be delightful.
Gourmet Fall Dessert Ideas
These brioche donuts are a fantastic addition to any fall dessert spread. They’d fit right in among other fall baked desserts like pumpkin pie and apple crisp. But since they’re uncommon, they’ll bring a touch of unexpected gourmet flair to your Thanksgiving meal or your best fall baking recipes spread. Imagine these beauties alongside some spiced cider or a warm cup of coffee for a delightful autumn treat. The addition of spices truly makes these donuts an excellent choice among all those dessert fall recipes.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover brioche donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply microwave them for a few seconds or warm them in a low oven. It is so, so important not to let them out more than advised as that can be a hazard to health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make these donuts ahead of time? Absolutely! You can make the dough and even cut out the donuts a day ahead. Just store them in the refrigerator overnight and let them rise for about an hour at room temperature before baking. Talk about a Thanksgiving time saver!
Q: I’m looking for Halloween party dessert ideas for adults… are these suitable? Yes! Brioche donuts are a delightful option for grown-up Halloween gatherings. Dust them with black and orange sprinkles or drizzle with dark chocolate for a spooky twist. You can find tons of creative and gourmet fall desserts online for inspiration.
These Brioche Donuts Perfect for Thanksgiving Feasting are a fun, delicious, somewhat fancy, and unexpected addition to your holiday spread. Your guests will love these golden brown, melt-in-your-mouth fall inspired treats.
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Thanksgiving Brioche Donuts: A Festive Fall Treat
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
Description
These Brioche Donuts are everything you want in a Thanksgiving morning treat—light, fluffy, and packed with warm fall spices. Rolled in cinnamon sugar and finished with a maple glaze drizzle, they’re a festive showstopper that’ll steal the spotlight from the turkey. Baked instead of fried, they’re a bit lighter but still totally indulgent.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup warm milk (110°F)
2 large eggs
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cinnamon sugar (for coating)
1/3 cup maple glaze (for drizzling)
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Whisk in eggs, melted butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Punch down dough and roll out to 1/2-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter to cut out donuts and holes.
6. Place donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let rise for another 30 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake donuts for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown.
8. While donuts are still warm, toss in cinnamon sugar and drizzle with maple glaze.
Notes
You can make the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight.
Swap the maple glaze for cream cheese frosting for an extra-decadent twist.
Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: brioche donuts, baked donuts, Thanksgiving donuts, maple glazed donuts