Homemade Powdered Sugar Donuts
Ready in 30 minutes, these homemade powdered sugar donuts are a quick and easy breakfast treat. The soft and fluffy texture is simply delicious!
Cake donuts come with a dose of nostalgia. Remember having your fingers coated in powdered sugar when eating those Hostess donuts as a kid? Or maybe they were from your local donut shop your dad took you to on weekends. These baked donuts are a favorite for kids of all ages and they are super easy to make at home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 30 minutes. This is the perfect breakfast treat if you want something that is ready sooner rather than later!
- Quick and easy recipe. The batter comes together quickly and the steps are simple to follow. It’s the perfect recipe for novice bakers.
- Tender texture. The soft, cake-like texture is super satisfying and delicious!
- Old fashioned treat. Before yeast donuts grew in popularity, cake donuts were common because they were easy to make with pantry ingredients. This recipe is reminiscent of the kind you’d get from a local bakery or coffee shop.
Ingredient Notes
- Flour: Use all-purpose flour that is measured properly.
- Sugar: Sugar adds sweetness so the donuts taste cake-like.
- Baking powder: This leavening agent helps the batter rise and create fluffy donuts.
- Salt: Kosher salt helps activate the baking powder.
- Nutmeg: This spice adds that characteristic cake-like taste to baked donuts. Check that it is fresh and not expired.
- Buttermilk: For a fluffy, yet moist, texture, use low-fat cultured buttermilk that is room temperature.
- Eggs: Two eggs help bind the ingredients and create a rich flavor.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter that is melted and slightly cooled. Different brands of salted butter have various amounts of salt added so it’s best to add the salt separately.
- Vanilla: A teaspoon of vanilla extract adds warmth and flavor to every bite.
- Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this is used to coat the donuts.
Refer to the recipe card for the ingredient measurements and details.
Recipe Variations
Add mini chocolate chips. Stir in 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips after combining the wet and dry ingredients.
Make mini donut holes. Use a mini muffin pan to make donut holes. Fill each cup two-thirds full and bake 6 to 7 minutes.
How to Make Powdered Sugar Donuts
- Whisk together the dry ingredients—flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Beat the wet ingredients—buttermilk, eggs, melted butter and vanilla. Add the wet and dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
- Transfer batter to a piping bag and pipe batter into a greased donut tin. Bake at 350 F for 10 minutes. Cool in the pan for a couple minute before inverting onto a wire rack.
- Put powdered sugar in a ziptop bag. While the donuts are still slightly warm, place them one at a time in the bag and gently shake to coat in sugar.
Expert Tips
Use room temperature ingredients. They are easier to mix and create a smooth consistent batter. This results in a better textured donut!
Don’t over-mix the batter. When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Over-mixing will make the donuts dense instead of light and tender.
Make sure donuts are still warm when coating in sugar. This will help the sugar stick to the donuts. When shaking the donut in the ziptop bag, be gentle so the donut doesn’t break.
Storage Tips
Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make sure the donuts are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation.
Freeze for up to 2 months. After the donuts have cooled, wrap them in plastic wrap then store in an airtight container or freezer bag. Defrost in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature. You may want to give them a fresh coat of powdered sugar before serving.
Recipe FAQ
Yes. Add 2 teaspoons white distilled vinegar to a liquid measuring cup. Add regular milk and fill to the 2/3 cup measure. Stir and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes before using.
Either add a second coat of sugar or add cornstarch to the powdered sugar. Whisk 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 1 cup powdered sugar.
Yes, fill each cup 2/3 full and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
Related Recipes
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Get the Recipe: Powdered Sugar Donuts
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) all purpose flour
- ⅔ cup (133 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, see notes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease a standard donut tin. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter and vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, then mix to combine (avoid over-mixing).
- Using a piping bag or a spoon, transfer the batter to the prepared donut tin, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. Bake donuts at 350℉ for 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into one comes out with little to no crumbs. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for a couple minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack.
- Place powdered sugar into a ziplock bag. One at a time, place a warm donut in the bag and gently shake to coat the donut. Remove and repeat with remaining donuts. If the sugar isn’t sticking, brush melted butter on the donut and shake in the bag again.
