Easy Baked Donuts

These are the donuts I make when I want something sweet, nostalgic, and polished. Soft and tender with just enough richness, they come together in minutes and bake up light without the mess of frying. Finished with a simple vanilla glaze and sprinkles. They’re perfect for slow mornings, last-minute brunch plans, or making ahead and glazing fresh the day you serve them. Simple, reliable, and endlessly customizable, which is exactly how a great donut should be.

By: Elise Jesse

Yield: 14 donuts

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Bake Time: 10-12 minutes

Total time: 22 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup of all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp of baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tablespoons, melted butter 

1/2 cup milk (I used whole)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

Donut Glaze (add food coloring if you wish):

1/2 cup of powdered sugar (add more based on the consistency you like)

1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

1-2 Tbsp milk

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt before adding sugar.

2. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and 1 egg. 

3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.

4. Turn the oven on to 350° and spray or butter your donut pan.

5. Spoon or pipe your batter into the donut molds about 3/4 of the way up the sides. 

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

7. Once donuts are completely cooled, you can move forward with your glaze, or freeze and make the glaze on the morning you’re serving the donuts. 

For the glaze:

1. Whisk 1/2 cup powdered sugar and vanilla, and salt if you’re using it. Add in the milk slowly (use less if you want a thicker consistency). 

2. Adjust powdered sugar for consistency and add food coloring if using.

3. Dip cooled donuts into the glaze, gliding them back and forth to get the glaze into the middle. 

4. Add any sprinkles you like and serve.

When I freeze them, I store them in a gallon storage bag, and I thaw them overnight.

The day I serve the donuts is the day I’ll glaze and dip them.