Whole Wheat Baked Chai Donuts with Homemade Iced Chai Lattes Recipe

Introduction

These whole wheat baked chai donuts offer a warm, spiced twist on a classic treat, perfect for cozy mornings or afternoon indulgences. Paired with a refreshing homemade iced chai latte, this duo brings comforting flavors and wholesome ingredients together beautifully.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (not regular whole wheat flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup loosely packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for sugar coating)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (for sugar coating)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for sugar coating)
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom (for sugar coating)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (for sugar coating)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (for sugar coating)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (for sugar coating)
• 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk (for chai lattes)
• 2 cinnamon sticks (for chai lattes)
• Seeds from 1 vanilla bean (for chai lattes)
• 1 tablespoon whole cardamom pods (for chai lattes)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (for chai lattes)
• 2 chai tea bags
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• Coconut whipped cream (optional, for topping chai lattes)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375℉. Spray a standard donut pan with nonstick spray or grease it with coconut oil. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, and ginger. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and brown sugar until combined. Add melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and almond milk; whisk until smooth.
3. Step 3: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
4. Step 4: Fill each donut mold about 3/4 full with batter. Bake for 10 minutes or until donuts are firm and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool for a few minutes, then invert the donuts onto a cooling rack.
5. Step 5: While the donuts cool, prepare the sugar coating by whisking together granulated sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger in a medium bowl.
6. Step 6: Dip each donut in the melted butter to coat all sides, then roll in the sugar-spice mixture, shaking off any excess. Allow donuts to cool completely or enjoy warm.
7. Step 7: For the chai lattes, bring almond milk, cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean and seeds, cardamom pods, ground ginger, and maple syrup to a boil. Remove from heat once boiling.
8. Step 8: Add the chai tea bags to the hot milk mixture and let steep until completely cool. Remove the tea bags.
9. Step 9: Serve the iced chai latte over ice, topped with coconut whipped cream and a sprinkle of cardamom if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use whole wheat pastry flour for a tender crumb; regular whole wheat flour may make the donuts too dense.
• Swap coconut oil for melted butter if preferred for a richer flavor.
• Add a pinch of black pepper to the chai spice mix to enhance the warming spices.
• For a dairy-free latte, ensure your coconut whipped cream is vegan-friendly or skip it altogether.
• To make the donuts gluten-free, try substituting the pastry flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend, but note texture may vary.

Storage

Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or toaster oven before serving. The chai latte can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days; shake well before serving and add fresh ice as needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

You can bake the batter in a muffin tin for round mini cakes, though the shape will differ. Adjust baking time slightly, checking for doneness with a toothpick.

What can I substitute for the chai tea bags?

If you don’t have chai tea bags, use black tea bags and add extra warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger to taste when steeping.

Whole Wheat Baked Chai Donuts with Homemade Iced Chai Lattes Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 70 reviews

These Whole Wheat Baked Chai Donuts offer a healthier twist on classic donuts with warming chai spices and a cozy cinnamon-cardamom sugar coating. Paired perfectly with homemade iced chai lattes featuring vanilla, cardamom, and cinnamon, this recipe delivers a delightful chai-flavored breakfast or snack that’s wholesome and comforting.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 standard donuts 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the DONUTS:

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (not regular whole wheat flour; this is a finer version)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup loosely packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

For the CHAI SPICE SUGAR COATING:

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

For the CHAI LATTES:

• 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Seeds from 1 vanilla bean
• 1 tablespoon whole cardamom pods
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 chai tea bags
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• Coconut whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Donut Pan: Preheat your oven to 375℉. Lightly grease a standard donut pan with nonstick spray or coconut oil to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, and ginger until well combined. Set this aside.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In another medium bowl, whisk the egg and brown sugar until smooth. Add melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and unsweetened vanilla almond milk; whisk again to create a smooth batter.
4. Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently with a rubber spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
5. Fill and Bake Donuts: Spoon the batter into the donut molds, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the donuts are firm and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Cool Donuts: Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes, then carefully invert onto a cooling rack to cool further.
7. Prepare Chai Spice Sugar Coating: While the donuts cool, whisk together granulated sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger in a medium bowl to create the chai spice sugar mixture.
8. Coat Donuts: Dip each donut in melted butter, ensuring all sides are coated, then roll it in the chai spice sugar mixture, shaking off any excess. Place back on the cooling rack to set or enjoy warm.
9. Make Chai Lattes: In a saucepan, bring almond milk, cinnamon sticks, whole vanilla bean and seeds, cardamom pods, ground ginger, and maple syrup to a boil. Remove from heat once boiling, add the chai tea bags, and let steep until the mixture is completely cooled.
10. Serve Lattes: Remove tea bags and discard. Serve the latte poured over ice, topped with optional coconut whipped cream and a sprinkle of cardamom for garnish.

Notes

• Use whole wheat pastry flour for a lighter texture; regular whole wheat flour is too coarse.
• Do not overmix the batter to keep donuts tender and fluffy.
• Make sure the donuts are cooled slightly before coating to help the sugar mixture stick.
• The chai latte can be enjoyed hot or iced; steeping until completely cool creates a perfect iced chai latte.
• Coconut whipped cream adds a lovely non-dairy creaminess for topping if desired.

Keywords: whole wheat donuts, chai donuts, baked donuts, healthy donuts, homemade chai latte, iced chai latte, spiced donuts, vegetarian breakfast