Baked Donuts with Vanilla Glaze

Baked Donuts with Vanilla Glaze are a lighter, oven-baked version of the classic fried donuts — soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweet with a glossy vanilla glaze that melts in your mouth. They have the same comforting flavor and texture as traditional donuts, but without the mess and heaviness of frying.

These baked beauties are golden, tender, and lightly sweetened — making them a perfect morning treat, brunch centerpiece, or afternoon indulgence. Topped with a silky vanilla glaze and optional colorful sprinkles, they’re as delightful to look at as they are to eat.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it combines everything wonderful about homemade donuts — the aroma, the melt-in-your-mouth texture, and the cozy sweetness — without the hassle of deep-frying.

Baking donuts means less oil, less mess, and guilt-free indulgence. They come out soft and fluffy every single time, and the simple vanilla glaze adds the perfect glossy finish.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Baked, not fried: Healthier and easier than traditional donuts.
• Simple ingredients: You likely have everything already.
• Soft and fluffy texture: Perfectly light with a tender crumb.
• Customizable: Add toppings, glazes, or fillings of your choice.
• Kid and crowd-friendly: Perfect for parties, brunches, and gifting.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Baking Time: 10–12 minutes
• Glazing & Cooling Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings and Calories

• Servings: 12 baked donuts
• Calories: ~220 kcal per donut (with glaze)

Cuisine and Course

• Cuisine: American
• Course: Breakfast / Dessert / Snack

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

• 1 ¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for classic donut flavor)
• ⅓ cup (65 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil or melted butter
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp lemon juice)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Vanilla Glaze:

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: food coloring or sprinkles for decoration

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another.
2. Combine both mixtures to form a smooth batter.
3. Pipe or spoon into donut pan and bake until golden.
4. Whisk glaze ingredients and dip donuts once cooled.
5. Decorate with sprinkles or leave classic and shiny.

Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation Method

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
2. Grease a 12-cavity donut pan with oil or non-stick spray.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together:

• Flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and sugar.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together:

• Egg, milk (or buttermilk), oil (or butter), and vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 4: Combine the Mixtures

1. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture.
2. Gently whisk until just combined — do not overmix, or the donuts may become dense.
3. The batter should be smooth and slightly thick.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

1. Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut cavities, filling each about ¾ full.
   (A piping bag or zip-lock bag with the corner cut off makes this step neat and easy.)

Step 6: Bake

1. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the donuts are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
2. Allow donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.

Step 7: Make the Vanilla Glaze

1. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
2. Adjust consistency — add more milk for a thinner glaze or more sugar for thicker coverage.

Step 8: Glaze the Donuts

1. Once the donuts are cool, dip the tops of each donut into the glaze.
2. Place them back on the rack (glaze side up) and allow the glaze to set for about 10 minutes.
3. Add sprinkles, crushed nuts, or colored sugar before the glaze hardens, if desired.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Your Baked Donuts with Vanilla Glaze are ready to enjoy — soft, sweet, and picture-perfect!

How to Serve

• Serve slightly warm for the best texture.
• Pair with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for a comforting treat.
• Perfect addition to brunch buffets or birthday parties.
• You can also glaze them with chocolate or caramel for variation.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Do not overmix the batter; this ensures fluffy donuts.
• Use buttermilk for extra softness and flavor depth.
• Always let donuts cool before glazing — warm donuts will cause the glaze to melt off.
• Add a bit of lemon zest or cinnamon to the batter for a twist.
• For shiny glaze, mix a touch of corn syrup into the glaze.

Variations

Chocolate Glazed Donuts: Replace 2 tablespoons of flour with cocoa powder and top with chocolate glaze.
Strawberry Glaze: Use strawberry puree instead of milk in the glaze for a fruity touch.
Lemon Donuts: Add lemon zest to batter and a lemon glaze made with lemon juice and zest.
Maple Glaze: Swap vanilla for maple extract in the glaze.
Coconut Donuts: Top vanilla-glazed donuts with shredded toasted coconut.

Freezing and Storage

Storage:

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerate for up to 5 days (bring to room temperature before eating).

Freezing:

• Freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months.
• Thaw at room temperature, then glaze before serving.

Special Equipment Needed

• Donut pan (non-stick, 6 or 12 cavity)
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk and spatula
• Piping bag or zip-lock bag
• Cooling rack

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
Yes! You can bake them in a muffin tin, shaping a small ball of foil in the center to create the hole.

Q2. Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, but the donuts will be denser. Use half all-purpose and half whole wheat for balance.

Q3. Why are my donuts dry?
They may be overbaked — check them at 10 minutes, and ensure your oven temperature is accurate.

Q4. Can I air-fry these donuts?
Yes! Pipe the batter into silicone molds and air-fry at 160°C (320°F) for about 8–10 minutes.

Q5. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe doubles easily with no changes needed.

Conclusion

Baked Donuts with Vanilla Glaze are the perfect fusion of simplicity and indulgence — soft, golden, and glazed to perfection. They’re a healthier twist on traditional fried donuts without compromising on flavor or texture.

Whether you’re baking for breakfast, a family gathering, or simply to treat yourself, these donuts never fail to impress. Their irresistible vanilla aroma and glossy glaze make them a timeless homemade favorite.