Easy Baked Doughnuts: A Simple Recipe for Delicious Homemade Treats
Baked doughnuts are a fantastic alternative to their fried counterparts. They’re lighter, often healthier, and surprisingly simple to make at home. This recipe provides a straightforward method for creating delicious baked doughnuts that are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of day. Forget the complicated processes and embrace the ease of this recipe, which uses common ingredients and requires minimal baking expertise. Get ready to enjoy warm, freshly baked doughnuts in under an hour!
Why Bake Doughnuts Instead of Fry?
There are several compelling reasons to choose baked doughnuts over fried:
* **Healthier Option:** Baking significantly reduces the fat content, as doughnuts aren’t submerged in oil. This makes them a lighter choice if you’re mindful of your diet.
* **Easier to Make:** No need to deal with hot oil, temperature control, or the mess of frying. Baking is generally more straightforward and less prone to error for beginner bakers.
* **Less Mess:** Frying creates a considerable mess with oil splatters and cleanup. Baking eliminates this issue entirely.
* **Consistent Results:** Baked doughnuts are more likely to turn out consistently shaped and cooked through.
* **Customizable:** The batter can be easily adapted with different flavors, spices, and toppings to suit your taste preferences.
The Ultimate Easy Baked Doughnut Recipe
This recipe is designed for simplicity and deliciousness. It yields approximately 12 standard-sized doughnuts.
**Yields:** 12 doughnuts
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Bake Time:** 10-12 minutes
Ingredients:
* 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
* ½ teaspoon baking soda
* ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for a warm flavor)
* ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for a subtle spice)
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar, let stand for 5 minutes)
* 2 large eggs
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
**For the Glaze (optional):**
* 2 cups powdered sugar
* ¼ cup milk (or water, coffee, or juice for flavor)
* ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
* Sprinkles or other toppings (optional)
Equipment:
* Doughnut pan (12-cavity)
* Large mixing bowl
* Whisk
* Rubber spatula
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Piping bag or ziplock bag
* Wire rack
Instructions:
**1. Prepare the Doughnut Pan:**
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Generously grease your doughnut pan with cooking spray. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies of each cavity to prevent sticking. Alternatively, you can lightly grease the pan with melted butter or shortening and dust with flour, tapping out any excess.
**2. Combine Dry Ingredients:**
* In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon (if using), and nutmeg (if using). Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
**3. Combine Wet Ingredients:**
* In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk (or milk mixture), eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
**4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:**
* Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough doughnuts. A few lumps are okay.
**5. Fill the Doughnut Pan:**
* Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a ziplock bag. If using a ziplock bag, snip off one of the bottom corners to create a piping hole.
* Pipe the batter into each cavity of the doughnut pan, filling each about ¾ full. Avoid overfilling, as the doughnuts will rise during baking. Alternatively, you can spoon the batter into the pan, but piping provides more even distribution.
**6. Bake the Doughnuts:**
* Place the doughnut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a doughnut comes out clean. The doughnuts should be lightly golden brown.
**7. Cool the Doughnuts:**
* Remove the doughnut pan from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This will allow the doughnuts to firm up slightly, making them easier to remove.
* Invert the doughnut pan onto a wire rack to release the doughnuts. If any doughnuts are sticking, gently loosen them with a knife or spatula.
* Allow the doughnuts to cool completely on the wire rack before glazing or decorating.
**8. Prepare the Glaze (Optional):**
* While the doughnuts are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or other liquid), and vanilla extract (if using) until smooth. Add more liquid, one tablespoon at a time, if the glaze is too thick. Add more powdered sugar if it is too thin.
**9. Glaze the Doughnuts:**
* Once the doughnuts are completely cool, dip each doughnut into the glaze, coating the top evenly.
* Place the glazed doughnuts back on the wire rack to allow the excess glaze to drip off.
* Immediately sprinkle with sprinkles or other desired toppings, if using.
**10. Enjoy!**
* Enjoy your freshly baked and glazed doughnuts immediately. They are best enjoyed on the day they are made but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Tips for Perfect Baked Doughnuts
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the batter will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough doughnuts. Mix until just combined.
* **Use Buttermilk:** Buttermilk adds a tanginess and moisture to the doughnuts, creating a tender crumb. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it stand for 5 minutes.
* **Grease the Pan Well:** Thoroughly greasing the doughnut pan is crucial to prevent the doughnuts from sticking. Use cooking spray or grease with butter/shortening and dust with flour.
* **Fill the Pan Correctly:** Fill the doughnut pan cavities about ¾ full to allow room for the doughnuts to rise without overflowing.
* **Cool Completely Before Glazing:** Ensure the doughnuts are completely cool before glazing. Warm doughnuts will cause the glaze to melt and run off.
* **Experiment with Flavors:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors! Add cocoa powder for chocolate doughnuts, lemon zest for lemon doughnuts, or different spices for a unique twist.
* **Customize the Glaze:** The glaze can also be customized with different liquids, such as coffee, juice, or extracts, to create a variety of flavors.
Variations and Add-Ins
This basic baked doughnut recipe is a great starting point for creating your own unique variations. Here are some ideas:
* **Chocolate Doughnuts:** Add ¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.
* **Lemon Doughnuts:** Add the zest of one lemon to the wet ingredients.
* **Spice Doughnuts:** Add ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice to the dry ingredients.
* **Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts:** After baking, brush the doughnuts with melted butter and dip them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
* **Maple Glazed Doughnuts:** Replace the vanilla extract in the glaze with maple extract and use maple syrup instead of milk.
* **Chocolate Chip Doughnuts:** Fold ½ cup of mini chocolate chips into the batter.
* **Blueberry Doughnuts:** Gently fold in ½ cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter.
Serving Suggestions
Baked doughnuts are delicious on their own, but here are some serving suggestions to elevate your doughnut experience:
* **With Coffee or Tea:** A classic pairing that’s perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
* **With Ice Cream:** Serve warm doughnuts with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
* **As a Doughnut Sundae:** Top doughnuts with ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles.
* **Doughnut French Toast:** Slice the doughnuts in half and dip them in a mixture of eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Cook them on a griddle like French toast.
* **Doughnut Bread Pudding:** Use leftover doughnuts to make a delicious bread pudding. Cut the doughnuts into cubes and soak them in a custard mixture before baking.
Storage Instructions
Baked doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored for later.
* **Room Temperature:** Store baked doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They may become slightly drier over time.
* **Freezing:** For longer storage, you can freeze baked doughnuts. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
**Glazed Doughnuts:** It is best to store glazed doughnuts in a single layer to prevent the glaze from sticking together.
Troubleshooting
* **Doughnuts are Dry:** Overbaking is the most common cause of dry doughnuts. Be sure to check them frequently while baking and remove them from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean. Also, avoid overmixing the batter.
* **Doughnuts are Sticking to the Pan:** This is usually due to not greasing the pan well enough. Make sure to generously grease the doughnut pan with cooking spray or grease with butter/shortening and dust with flour.
* **Doughnuts are Tough:** Overmixing the batter can result in tough doughnuts. Mix until just combined.
* **Doughnuts are Not Rising:** Ensure that your baking powder and baking soda are fresh. Also, make sure to preheat your oven to the correct temperature.
* **Glaze is Too Thick:** Add more liquid, one tablespoon at a time, until the glaze reaches the desired consistency.
* **Glaze is Too Thin:** Add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until the glaze reaches the desired consistency.
Conclusion
This easy baked doughnut recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy homemade doughnuts without the hassle of frying. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can create delicious treats that are perfect for any occasion. Experiment with different flavors and toppings to create your own signature doughnuts. Enjoy!