The King’s Glaze

Prepare to be swept off your feet by these extraordinary **Elvis Donuts** – a symphony of flavors inspired by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s legendary favorite sandwich. Imagine a soft, moist banana donut, lovingly crowned with a rich, simple chocolate glaze, adorned with a creamy peanut butter drizzle, and finished with delightful crumbles of crispy, savory bacon. It’s more than just a donut; it’s a breakfast sensation, a decadent dessert, and a tribute to a culinary icon. Your family and friends will absolutely adore this unique and unforgettable treat!

Irresistible Elvis Donuts, a tribute to the King’s favorite flavors.

Experience the Magic of Elvis Donuts

There’s nothing quite like the joy of homemade donuts, especially when they’re a unique twist on a classic. My kids’ faces light up whenever I whip up a batch of donuts for breakfast, transforming an ordinary morning into a special occasion. For this particular recipe, I wanted to venture beyond the conventional, drawing inspiration from Elvis Presley’s iconic love for the combination of banana, peanut butter, and bacon. The result? These incredible Elvis Donuts, packed with all the deliciousness of banana, the creamy indulgence of peanut butter, the richness of chocolate, and the irresistible crunch of savory bacon.

This recipe isn’t just about combining ingredients; it’s about crafting an experience. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of sweet and savory, soft and crisp, making these donuts truly stand out. They are perfect for brunch, a memorable dessert, or simply to treat yourself and your loved ones to something extraordinary.

Baking up a batch of banana donuts for the King’s favorite toppings.

And here’s a little secret for those who might not have a donut pan or simply prefer a muffin format: you can absolutely still enjoy these Elvis-inspired flavors! Just use a muffin tin, and you’ll have delectable Elvis muffins that are equally delightful. They’ll be just as tender and flavorful, ready to be glazed and topped just like their donut counterparts.

Customize your Elvis Donuts with your preferred amount of glaze and toppings.

The Inspiration: Elvis Presley’s Legendary Sandwich

To truly appreciate these Elvis Donuts, it’s worth delving into their inspiration: the famous (or infamous) Elvis Presley sandwich. This iconic creation, rumored to be a staple in the King’s diet, traditionally consists of grilled white bread, peanut butter, sliced or mashed bananas, and crispy bacon. It’s a combination that, while seemingly unusual, perfectly balances sweet, salty, and savory notes, creating an unexpectedly delicious experience. Our donuts capture this essence, transforming the grilled sandwich into a baked, fluffy treat without losing any of the signature flavors that made it legendary.

The beauty of the Elvis flavor profile lies in the interplay of its core components. The sweetness of ripe bananas provides a natural depth, complemented by the nutty richness of peanut butter. The chocolate glaze adds an extra layer of indulgence, enhancing the dessert aspect, while the bacon introduces a crispy, salty counterpoint that cuts through the sweetness and elevates the entire flavor profile. This daring combination is what makes these donuts truly irresistible and a fitting tribute to a rock and roll legend.

Why Bake Your Donuts at Home?

Making donuts from scratch at home offers several advantages over store-bought versions. Firstly, there’s an unparalleled freshness and warmth that simply can’t be replicated. The aroma of freshly baked banana donuts filling your kitchen is a treat in itself. Secondly, baking allows for greater control over ingredients, ensuring you use high-quality components without unnecessary additives. For these Elvis Donuts, baking them in a donut pan makes them lighter and healthier than their fried counterparts, while still achieving that satisfying donut shape and texture.

Homemade donuts are also incredibly customizable. You can adjust the sweetness, experiment with different glazes (though our chocolate and peanut butter combination is hard to beat!), and control the amount of bacon topping to suit your preference. It’s a fun and rewarding baking project that brings a unique and memorable treat to your table.

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

  • Vanilla Cake Donuts with Strawberry Glaze
  • Chocolate Oreo Sprinkle Donuts
  • Triple Chocolate Donuts
  • Pumpkin Donuts with Nutella Glaze
  • Elvis Banana Split with Homemade Peanut Butter Ice Cream
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A delicious Elvis donut topped with chocolate glaze, peanut butter, and bacon.

Elvis Donuts

By
Jamie Sherman

Elvis Donuts – a banana donut topped with a simple chocolate glaze, peanut butter drizzle and crumbled bacon! It’s a breakfast fit for the King of Rock n’ Roll! Your family will love ’em too!

Prep:
20 mins
Cook:
15 mins
Total:
35 mins
Yields:
15 donuts
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Ingredients

For the donuts

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature
  • 4 medium bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup vegetable oil

For the chocolate glaze

  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons milk (or more for desired consistency)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the topping

  • 1 cup peanut butter chips
  • 4 – 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease two non-stick 6-count donut pans and set them aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients for the donuts: flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and granulated sugar. In a separate medium bowl, combine the wet ingredients: eggs, mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil.
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir just until moistened, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to tough donuts.
  4. Carefully spoon the batter into the prepared donut pans, filling each cavity about two-thirds full.
  5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean. Let the donuts cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  6. While the donuts cool, prepare the chocolate glaze: In a small, shallow bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust milk as needed for desired dipping consistency.
  7. Melt the peanut butter chips: Place the peanut butter chips in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until completely smooth and melted.
  8. To assemble: Once the donuts are completely cool, dip one side of each donut into the chocolate glaze. Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack, glazed side up. Immediately drizzle with the melted peanut butter chips and sprinkle generously with crumbled crispy bacon. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • If you only have one donut pan, don’t worry! The donut batter can rest on the counter while the first batch bakes.
  • For extra flavor, use very ripe bananas (with brown spots) as they are naturally sweeter and mash more easily.
  • Baking these donuts keeps them lighter than traditional fried versions, but they are equally delicious.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of bacon to your liking. More bacon, more fun!

Nutrition

Calories: 271kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 26mg, Sodium: 184mg, Potassium: 172mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 29g, Vitamin A: 59IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 45mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

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Originally published on March 20, 2014. Updated on April 26, 2021. This recipe has been enhanced for clarity and expanded with additional helpful information.