Baked Donuts
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An easy recipe for homemade Baked Donuts! There’s no yeast, no waiting for the dough to rise, just a simple recipe that can be ready to enjoy in under 30 minutes. Recipe includes a how-to video!
Soft, Fluffy, Homemade Donuts (No Yeast Needed!)
This one’s for you resolutioners out there. Those of you who are craving a good old-fashioned deep fried homemade donut but swore off all things deep fried for the year (or at least the first few weeks of it 😉).
Honestly, it’s for those of you who didn’t swear off greasy, deep-fried foods, too.
Because as much as I love a classic donut, I would never say no to one of these baked donuts. They’re light, fluffy, airy and perfectly sweetened. Guaranteed to satisfy any donut craving.
They’re also incredibly simple to make and can be hot and ready to eat in under 30 minutes. It’s honestly really, really easy, so let’s jump right in.
What You Need
Let’s briefly go over just a few of the key players in today’s recipe…
- Buttermilk. This gives the donuts a wonderful flavor and a soft, fluffy texture. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can use my easy buttermilk substitute instead.
- Butter. Some of this will be drizzled into the batter while some will be used to brush over the donuts so the cinnamon/sugar topping sticks. I actually prefer to use salted butter for brushing the donuts, but if you don’t have any you can just mix a dash of salt into your melted butter.
- Sugar. I use a blend of regular granulated sugar and light brown sugar (I love using a balance of these two sugars, it almost always yields a better baked good!). The brown sugar adds a nice depth of flavor, but I balance it with granulated sugar so the donut isn’t too weighed down and stays fluffy rather than turning out chewy.
- Flour. Use all-purpose flour. Self-rising flour is not recommended with this recipe.
- Ground nutmeg. A pinch of this gives the donuts an authentic bakery-esque flavor. If you don’t have it, simply omit from the recipe, but I love the flavor it adds!
As usual, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Baked Donuts
- Whisk together dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Whisk together buttermilk, vanilla extract, and one egg in a large measuring cup, then drizzle melted butter in while whisking. If the mixture looks slightly curdled don’t sweat it!
- Gently fold together the wet and dry ingredients using a spatula. Don’t over-mix!
- Spread or pipe batter into a greased donut pan. I like to just portion the batter into a large Ziploc bag and then snip off a corner for piping.
Tip: The batter should be completely combined before portioning, but make sure that you don’t over-mix or your donuts will end up dense and dry.
Once the donuts are baked, you have your choice of toppings…
Toppings
My personal favorite topping is the simplest:
- Brush the donut with melted butter.
- Dip in cinnamon/sugar.
Tip: It might seem tempting to simply dunk the baked donut in the melted butter, but unfortunately this over-saturates the donut and makes it soggy!
Other topping options:
- A vanilla glaze
- A chocolate glaze
- A dusting of powdered sugar.
I have instructions for all of these options in the notes of the recipe card.
Frequently Asked Questions
While you could pipe the batter into rings on a baking sheet and bake them that way instead, the donuts tend to spread quite a bit and have completely flattened bottoms. It works in a pinch, but I really recommend buying yourself a nice set of donut pans (and I’ve linked to the ones I use in the recipe card).
Baked donuts are best enjoyed while they’re still warm from the oven, but they will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
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Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! Make sure to check out the how-to VIDEO in the recipe card!
Baked Donuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional
- 1 cup (236 ml) buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
Topping (see notes for alternative topping options)
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a 12-count donut pan (I actually use two 6-count) with baking spray (or lightly grease and flour). Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, salt, and nutmeg (if using).2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, ¼ cup (50 g) sugar, ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- In a separate bowl whisk together buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract. While whisking constantly, drizzle in butter until combined (it’s OK if the mixture looks a bit curdled!).1 cup (236 ml) buttermilk, 1 large egg, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 Tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter
- Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and use a spatula to carefully fold together until just combined (all ingredients should be combined, but don’t over-mix or donuts will be dense and dry).
- Pipe or spread the batter evenly into prepared donut pans.
- Transfer to 350F (175C) oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or a toothpick inserted in the thickest part of a donut comes out clean. Allow to cool for several minutes then carefully remove to a cooling rack.
- Use a pastry brush¹ to brush immediately with melted salted butter and then whisk together granulated sugar and cinnamon and dip donuts in mixture. Donuts are best enjoyed warm.4 Tablespoons salted butter, ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Notes
Alternative Topping Options:
Dip warm donuts in powdered sugar to coat completely. For a vanilla glaze: Whisk together 1 ½ cups powdered sugar (190g), 3-5 Tablespoons whole milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. For chocolate glaze add 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder to the glaze. Dip cooled donuts in glaze and allow glaze to harden (at least 30 minutes) before serving. ¹I like to use a pastry brush rather than dip the donuts because dipping over-saturates them with butter and makes them soggy.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
These are perfect and quick! I added chocolate chips for my kids and blueberries for me, both dusted with powdered sugar. Thank you for this recipe!
Yum! We’re so happy the recipe was such a hit with your family, LeeAnn 💗
Hey there! I am not able to have buttermilk. Would regular milk work for this? Thanks!
Hi Lauren! You can make a buttermilk substitute using milk. 🙂
You make a buttermilk substitute mixing milk and white vinegar and letting it set for 5 minutes.
Hi Miriam, I’m very interested in trying this recipe I do have a question, if using a nonstick pan do you still have to grease the pan? Thank you very much.
Hi Linda! We recommend greasing anyway just to be safe 😊
Thank you very much for the great recipe for baked donuts; and for the very clear instructions. Just made 12 and they are delish. I do have a question, is it normal for the top side to be light in color and the bottom a nice tan. I baked them for 10 minutes and they were done. If I had left the donuts in the oven for a few more minutes do you think the tops would have also browned? One other question can they be frozen? Whether browned or not browned this is a keeper of a recipe and I will make it again. l
Hi Linda! It could be the pan here. It’s not necessarily a problem as long as they taste good. 🙂
just made these today, so easy and so good. my grandsons birthday is tomorrow and he is not a fan of cake but loves donuts. going to make a tower of donuts. I will fill some and cost some in powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Sharon! Happy birthday to your grandson! 🙂
I want to try this but it’s just two of us. If I only wanted to make 6 donuts, can I just half the ingredients or will that completely mess it up?
Or can I refrigerate the remains mixture for another batch of 6 the following day?
Thx!!😊
Hi Heather! You could cut the recipe in half for just 6 donuts. I’m not sure how storing the dough in the refrigerator overnight will work. The donuts may end up a bit dense and gummy, but I haven’t personally tried it.
can I use cake flour in the place of AP flour and cornstarch?
I honestly haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure how it would turn out. If you do try it I would love to know how it goes! 🙂
Is adding fruit or something to the top of these before throwing into the oven doable? Thinking strawberries or blueberries. Would frozen fruit work better?
Sounds tasty! I haven’t personally tried it so I can’t say for sure. I would probably be more likely to use fresh over frozen. If you do try it, let me know how it turns out! 🙂
Just made these donuts today. My husband and kids loved them. My son said it’s so much better than Dunkin’ Donuts. He wants me to make them all the time. Will definitly make these again
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed them so much, Holly! 🙂
I hope there good because I haven’t made them yet and I am super excited to try this and I’m just looking through the comments and there really positive so I’m going to try this recipe hope it goes good!!!
I think you are going to love these! 🙂
You won’t find many negative comments in the comments on Sam’s recipes, because she doesn’t publish her recipes until they are right.
Hi, I see it makes 12 donuts, but what is the diameter of your donut spaces on the baking pan?
Hi Nikki! I link to the exact ones I use in the equipment section of the recipe card if that helps!
perfect donuts
These are the BEST homemade donuts I think I’ve ever had, and they’re easy to make too. I didn’t have buttermilk, so I mixed milk and vinegar. Mine had to bake about 14 minutes to bake fully, but they were worth the wait!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Debbie! 🙂
Can I add chocolate to the batter ? To make it marbled ?
Hi Kacie! I haven’t tried it, but it’s possible it could dry out the dough. If you try it I would love to know how it goes. 🙂
Can I make these ahead and freeze them? Thanks!
Hi Joanna! I haven’t personally tried it, but I think that could work. 🙂
Do you know if I could somehow make these lemon flavored? My husband want lemon donuts and I wanted to do your recipe, buy I’m worried I’ll mess it up if I try to add lemon…..
Hi Miriam! Unfortunately I haven’t tried it, but I would think you could add a bit of zest and a little bit of lemon extract without causing any problems with the dough. 🙂