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Rich Buttery Pecan Donuts

Featured in Sweet Treats That Always Turn Out Right.

These buttery soft pecan donuts are full of spiced flavor and coated with a sweet, rich pecan topping. Mix basics like flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and toasted pecans with buttermilk and vanilla for depth. After baking golden, dunk the donuts into a creamy butter pecan glaze made with melted sugar, heavy cream, and more toasted pecans. Perfect for enjoying with coffee or as a snack!

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Alina Smith
Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 15:08:45 GMT
Donuts topped with pecans on a plate. Pin it
Donuts topped with pecans on a plate. | recipesroost.com

My butter pecan donut creation turns bland breakfasts into memorable moments with its cozy spices and rich glaze. I stumbled upon this idea during my autumn baking adventures and now it's become my go-to weekend offering when company comes over.

I whipped up these donuts when I needed something impressive for a festive morning get-together. That mix of buttery pecans with warm spices quickly became a household hit that my kids now beg for every Sunday.

Ingredients

  • All purpose flour: Makes the base for that soft, tender bite
  • Buttermilk: Gives a nice zing and keeps everything super moist
  • Toasted pecans: Add that must-have nutty taste and satisfying crunch
  • Brown sugar: Works in the glaze to create yummy caramel-like flavors
  • Cinnamon and nutmeg: Add that cozy fall taste everyone loves
  • Heavy cream: Makes the glaze smooth and dreamy

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Oven and Pan:
Get your oven going at 350°F and butter up that donut pan really well. I found out the tough way that you need to grease those pans even if they're nonstick. This temperature works best so donuts puff up nicely without getting too brown.
Make the Donut Batter:
Mix all your dry stuff first so your raising agents and spices spread out evenly. In another bowl, stir your wet things until they're nicely blended. The trick is to fold everything together gently just until it comes together. Mix too much and you'll end up with tough donuts. Don't forget to brown those pecans beforehand for extra yumminess.
Fill the Donut Pan:
Put the batter in using a bag with the corner snipped or just spoon it in, filling each spot about two-thirds. This gives them space to grow without making a mess. Tap your pan on the counter a few times to get rid of air bubbles that might mess up your baking.
Make the Butter Pecan Glaze:
Keep your heat at medium the whole time and watch closely since butter and sugar can burn fast. Your glaze should stick to the back of a spoon before you take it off the heat. Let it cool a bit before you dunk your donuts for the best results.
Glaze the Donuts:
Dunk each donut top-side down into your slightly cooled glaze and let extra drip back in the bowl. Work fast while everything's still warm and sprinkle more pecans on top right away before the glaze hardens.
A glazed donut with pecans on top. Pin it
A glazed donut with pecans on top. | recipesroost.com

The real magic comes from that tiny bit of salt I add to the glaze. It brings out all the buttery goodness and creates this amazing sweet-salty combo that makes these donuts so special. Just last Christmas, my grandma tried these and said they beat the butter pecan donuts from her favorite childhood bakery in Georgia.

Make Ahead Options

Keep these treats fresh on your counter for 2 days in a sealed container. Want them to last longer? Pop them in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze them without glaze for up to 3 months. Just let them warm up to room temp and add fresh glaze before eating. You can even make the glaze ahead and warm it back up with a splash of cream to get it flowing again.

Three donuts with nuts on top. Pin it
Three donuts with nuts on top. | recipesroost.com

Perfect Pairings

These butter pecan treats taste amazing with a bold cup of coffee or spicy chai. When I host brunch, I serve them alongside fresh fruit and egg dishes for a nice mix. During the holidays, they go great with cranberry mimosas. The pecan flavor works really well with drinks that have maple or bourbon notes too.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Got heavy donuts? You probably mixed too much or your baking powder might be old. These cake-style donuts need gentle handling. Is your glaze getting grainy? Just stir in a bit of hot water or more cream to smooth things out. Donuts sticking even though you greased the pan? Let them cool an extra minute before trying to take them out.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s an easy way to toast pecans?

Spread them flat on a tray and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes. Stir them once or twice so they don’t overcook.

→ Is it okay to replace the glaze?

Absolutely! Swap the butter pecan glaze for a classic vanilla or chocolate glaze if you’d prefer.

→ How should I store these donuts?

Keep them fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate them for up to 5 days.

→ Can I make these without a donut pan?

Sure can! A muffin pan works too—just bake a bit longer and adjust how much you fill each cup.

→ How do I make the glaze thicker?

Cooking brown sugar, heavy cream, and butter to the ideal heat will naturally thicken the glaze as it cools down.

Buttery Pecan Donuts

Fluffy spiced donuts covered with a smooth pecan glaze. Perfect for mornings or anytime snacks.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
12 Minutes
Total Time
27 Minutes


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 donuts

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Donuts

01 1/2 tsp baking soda
02 1/2 tsp baking powder
03 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
04 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and left to cool
05 1 large egg
06 1/4 tsp salt
07 1/2 cup buttermilk
08 1 tsp vanilla extract
09 1/2 cup granulated sugar
10 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
11 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
12 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

→ Butter Pecan Glaze

13 1/2 cup unsalted butter
14 1/2 cup brown sugar
15 Pinch of salt
16 2 tbsp heavy cream
17 Additional chopped pecans for sprinkling on top (optional)
18 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 01

Turn your oven on to 175°C (350°F). Lightly coat a donut pan with non-stick spray or grease it by hand.

Step 02

Combine the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and baking soda in a big mixing bowl. In another bowl, mix together the buttermilk, vanilla, egg, and melted butter until smooth. Stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients carefully, and then fold in the toasted chopped pecans lightly.

Step 03

Drop the batter into the donut pan, filling each section about 2/3 of the way. Bake for roughly 10-12 minutes. The donuts are done when a toothpick poked into one comes out without batter sticking to it. Let them cool in the pan a few minutes, then move them to a cooling rack.

Step 04

Heat the butter in a little stovetop pan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar constantly until it’s bubbling and the sugar’s melted. Add the cream and cook for another couple of minutes until it thickens a bit. Take it off the heat, add a pinch of salt and vanilla, then mix it all together.

Step 05

Dip the cooled donuts into the buttery glaze, letting any leftover drip back into the pan. Put the donuts on a cooling rack and, if you want, sprinkle more chopped pecans on top before the glaze sets up.

Tools You'll Need

  • Donut baking tray
  • Mixing bowls
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Whisk for mixing
  • Small cooking pot

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Made with nuts
  • Includes dairy
  • Contains eggs
  • Uses gluten ingredients

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 250
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 30 g
  • Protein: 4 g