EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (2024)

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Craving doughnuts? This easy baked donut recipe is made in one-bowl!

EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (1)

baked donut recipe

Oh my word. If you’re looking for a quick and easy and perfect-every-time baked donut recipe, here you go.

It can be made in one bowl and is a small enough batch, it’s just right for a last-minute donut craving.

The ingredients are similar to my favorite-ever chocolate cupcake recipe (although, without the chocolate), so as many baked donuts, this recipe is more on the “cake” side than the “deep-fried doughnuts” side of things. It’s moist inside with a light crust outside, without being too heavy.

Scroll to the end for a printable recipe and video.

EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (2)

more donut recipes

If you like this recipe, check out these:

  • 2-ingredient pumpkin donuts
  • pancake mix donuts
  • biscuit dough donuts
  • how to make donuts in the Babycakes Donut Maker

EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (3)

doughnut or donut?

Ever wonder why there are two terms, “doughnut” and “donut”? What is the difference?

“Doughnut” is the original spelling, first on record in the early 1800s. “Donut” is typically listed as a variant. The term “donut” appeared in the late 1800s as a contraction of the original, but didn’t really catch on until after 1950, when Dunkin’ Donuts hit the scene.

Traditional doughnut recipes use yeast and are deep-fried, so I personally tend to reserve the word “doughnut” for more traditional versions, since it’s made with, well, “dough.”

EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (4)

how to make baked donuts

You only need one bowl to make this baked donuts recipe. You will also need a donut pan. (This pan has 20 cavities, but they also have a set of two with six cavities. Since this recipe only makes 8 to 10 donuts, either is fine.)

you will need:

  • Donut pan
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 16-inch disposable decorating bag (optional)

what to do:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Use non-stick cooking spray on ten of the donut baking pan cavities.

In a large bowl, place the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together.

Add the egg, 1/2 cup of cream, oil, and vanilla extract. Use a large whisk to mix it together. If the dough feels very thick, add up to 1/4 cup additional heavy cream.

Transfer the mixture to a decorating bag and snip 1-inch from the tip. Close with a rubber band. Pipe rings in about ten of the cavities.

Bake until edges are golden and donuts spring back when pressed gently, 12 to 15 minutes. Add toppings if you like.

EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (5)

EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (6)

what toppings can you add to donuts?

easy donut glaze

The easiest donut topping you can make is a simple donut glaze. Combine 1 tablespoon milk or cream with every 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar. Add a pinch of salt (optional). Whisk very well. To glaze all ten donuts in this recipe, combine 3 tablespoons milk with 1 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar.

To make the glaze thicker, add additional confectioner’s sugar. To thin, add additional milk or cream.

Spread on the donuts with a spatula or pipe with a disposable decorating bag. Top with sprinkles immediately, if using.

EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (7)

EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (8)

more donut toppings ideas:

  • dust with confectioner’s sugar
  • store-bought chocolate or vanilla frosting
  • buttercream frosting
  • drizzle with melted caramel candies
  • drizzle with honey or maple syrup
  • spread Nutella on the donuts

EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (9)

Yield: 8 to 10 donuts

EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (10)

EASY baked donut recipe. One bowl, perfect vanilla doughnuts.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time15 minutes

Total Time25 minutes

Ingredients

  • Donut pan
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 16-inch disposable decorating bag (optional)
  • for glaze (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons milk or cream
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
  • sprinkles
  • pinch salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Use non-stick cooking spray on ten of the donut baking pan cavities.

In a large bowl, place the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together.

Add the egg, 1/2 cup of cream, oil, and vanilla extract. Use a large whisk to mix it together. If the dough feels very thick, add up to 1/4 cup additional heavy cream.

Transfer the mixture to a decorating bag and snip 1-inch from the tip. Close with a rubber band. Pipe rings in about ten of the cavities.

Bake until edges are golden and donuts spring back when pressed gently, 12 to 15 minutes. Add toppings if you like.

If adding glaze, mix the milk, sugar, and salt in a bowl with a whisk. Spread on the donuts or fill a disposable decorating bag with the glaze and pipe on the donuts. Add sprinkles immediately. Let set.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 387Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 251mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 1gSugar: 39gProtein: 4g

Did you make this recipe?

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EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (11)

EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret for soft doughnuts? ›

There's only one way to make doughnuts even softer and fluffier and that is by scalding some of the flour. Scalding is a technique used to not only make bread softer, but also to make it stay soft for longer. You can use it for pretty much any recipe you like.

Are doughnuts better fried or baked? ›

While many prefer the light and crispy texture of a fried donut, leaving the deep fryer in the cabinet and baking your cake donuts instead makes for healthier, less oily donuts. It's also safer and easier to clean up, given that you don't have to deal with lots of hot oil.

How to make donuts without a form? ›

Take a square piece of foil and place it over one of your fingers. It needs to be large enough to cover the bottom of each cup in the muffin tin. A 5″×5″ square seemed to work best for me. Fold the foil around your finger, gently folding the sides up, to create a mold.

Why are my homemade donuts so dense? ›

Yeast. Yeast is a tiny yet magical organism that helps doughs of all kinds rise. Without yeast, your doughnuts might resemble dense disks rather than fluffy rings. There are a variety of types of yeasts available for purchase, and some bakers even capture native yeasts to create their own unique doughnut dough.

What softens donuts? ›

Use buttermilk: Buttermilk helps to tenderize the dough and add moisture. Add eggs: Eggs add richness and moisture to the dough. Add oil: Oil helps to keep the donuts moist.

How does Krispy Kreme make their donuts so fluffy? ›

A batch of original glazed starts with Krispy Kreme doughnut mix, water and yeast, the same single-cell fungi used to make bread rise. The yeast is what makes the original glazed so light -- it puffs the dough up with air, so it's not dense like a cake doughnut (more on this later).

Are baked or fried donuts healthier? ›

These baked donuts are quick and easy to make. This is a simple recipe that can be whipped up in no time. They are healthier than fried donuts. The donuts are moist and fluffy, with a slightly crispy exterior.

Is donut a junk food? ›

Easily identifiable examples of junk food include chips, doughnuts, candy, and cookies. But some products — such as sports drinks or breakfast bars — also meet the classification, as they're high in sugar and calories yet low in nutrients.

Is pizza healthier than donuts? ›

You could call pizza a perfect food because it has protein (if you have a meat topping, plus protein in the dough and cheese), carb, and fat. You get all the nutrients these individual ingredients have, and vitamins and minerals, in a fun shape. Donuts have carbs and fat, so not as nutritious.

Can you make donuts in a cupcake pan? ›

Ever want to make donuts but don't have a donut pan? No problem! All you need is a cupcake pan and some regular old tin foil! Cut the foil into a 4 x4 square and bend gently around your middle finger.

What makes an old-fashioned doughnut? ›

Old-Fashioned Doughnuts are basically cake doughnuts that have been fried. This gives them a slightly crunchy outer shell, that's usually lacquered with glaze or dusted with sugar. The inside tends to be less dense than the cake of your typical powdered doughnut and less airy than a Krispy Kreme-style glazed.

What is the best oil for homemade donuts? ›

Canola oil specifically is the one of the best choices because it has a light color, mild flavor and a high smoke point making it ideal for frying donuts.

Which flour is best for donuts? ›

Use real cake flour – not DIY cake flour!

DIY substitutions don't really cut it, and AP flour will not create doughnuts with that same soft texture. Also, bleached cake flour will work best. Unbleached (like King Arthur Baking) won't absorb as much moisture, and you may end up with doughnuts that crumble while frying.

What trick keeps donuts fresh? ›

Place your donuts in storage bags or airtight containers.

Definitely put them in airtight bags or containers though so they stay fresh! The only time this isn't a good idea is when your donuts are cream-filled. In that case, you'll want to store them in the fridge so they don't spoil.

How are Krispy Kreme doughnuts so soft? ›

Yeast-raised: Krispy Kreme donuts are yeast-raised, which gives them a softer and fluffier texture compared to cake donuts, which are denser.

Why are Krispy Kreme doughnuts so soft? ›

The secret ingredient, mashed potato, gives the donuts moistness and tenderness. It's rumored potato is in the secret Krispy Kreme recipe too! The first Krispy Kreme shop was opened in 1937 in North Carolina by Vernon Rudolph, who used his uncle's yeast-raised donut recipe.

Why are my donuts not light and fluffy? ›

To make light and fluffy donuts, make sure that your dough is properly risen by allowing it to rest in a warm place until it doubles in size. Also, avoid overmixing the dough as it can lead to a denser texture. Handling the dough gently and not overworking it will help maintain the desired fluffiness.

How do you soften donuts? ›

So, what if you didn't prepare and now have a stale donut on your hands? We've got a solution for that, too. Pop it into the microwave for approximately 15 seconds until it softens. It might not be perfect, but it should still be a delicious treat.

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