Go Back
Print

Spice Cake Donuts with Pecan Streusel and Brown Butter Icing

Simple baked spice cake donuts with a pecan streusel topping, and a drizzle of brown butter icing!
Course Breakfast - donuts
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 16
Author Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl

Ingredients

For donuts:

  • 1 box spice cake mix
  • 1 egg
  • 1 c. water
  • 1/4 c. oil
  • 3 tbsp. melted butter

For streusel:

  • 1/2 c. brown sugar
  • 1/2 c. flour
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/3 c. chopped pecans
  • 3 tbsp. melted butter

For icing:

  • 3 c. powdered sugar
  • 1/2 c. unsalted butter
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 2-3 tbsp. milk or water

Instructions

For donuts:

  • Coat two regular-sized donut pans with cooking spray. (Regular-sized donut pans typically contain 6 cavities.)
  • In a large bowl, combine cake mix, egg, water, oil, and melted butter.
  • Mix until well-blended, a few lumps will remain.
  • Pour batter into a gallon-sized ziploc bag, and snip off the corner of the bag.
  • Pipe the batter into the baking pans, filling each donut cup about 3/4 full - almost right up to the center 'hole'.

For streusel:

  • In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon, stirring until well-blended.
  • Add pecans and butter.
  • Mix until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Sprinkle a generous tablespoonful of streusel on top of each donut.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.
  • Allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully remove donuts to a wire rack to cool completely.

For icing:

  • Place the powdered sugar in a medium bowl, and set aside.
  • Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown. (About 6-8 minutes.)
  • Remove from heat and immediately pour the browned butter and vanilla over the powdered sugar.
  • Whisk to combine, adding enough milk or water to form a thick, but slightly runny icing.
  • Drizzle generously over the donuts. Enjoy!