These Vanilla Glazed Baked Donuts are the perfect combination of light, fluffy donuts with a sweet, smooth glaze that will have you coming back for more. Unlike traditional fried donuts, these baked donuts are a healthier alternative without compromising on flavor or texture. With a simple vanilla glaze, these treats are perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a special occasion. Plus, they are easy to make, making them ideal for anyone who loves homemade, delicious donuts.

The base of the donut is soft and slightly sweet, with a rich vanilla flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet and glossy glaze. Customize them with a bit of food coloring or sprinkles for a festive touch, making these donuts a great choice for birthdays, holidays, or any time you want to indulge in something sweet. Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee or as a dessert, these Vanilla Glazed Baked Donuts will quickly become a family favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Light and Fluffy Texture

These baked donuts are soft and fluffy, thanks to a simple combination of all-purpose flour, sugar, and a light vanilla flavor, offering a perfect donut without the heaviness of frying.

2. Easy to Make

With a simple list of ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, these donuts come together quickly. You don’t need any special equipment – just a donut pan and a mixing bowl.

3. Healthier Alternative

By baking the donuts instead of frying them, you cut down on excess fat and calories, making them a lighter option while still retaining their delicious taste.

4. Customizable Glaze

The vanilla glaze is simple, but you can easily customize it with food coloring, sprinkles, or other flavors like chocolate or caramel to suit your mood or occasion.

5. Perfect for Any Occasion

These donuts are versatile enough to be served at breakfast, as a snack, or even for a celebration. Their light sweetness makes them perfect for both casual and festive gatherings.

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Baking powder
Salt
Unsalted butter (melted)
Egg (at room temperature)
Skim milk (at room temperature)
Vanilla extract

For the Vanilla Glaze:

Powdered sugar (sifted)
Vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Milk
Optional: Food coloring and sprinkles

Variations

Chocolate Glaze: Replace the vanilla extract in the glaze with cocoa powder to create a chocolate glaze.
Different Flavors: Add lemon zest or cinnamon to the donut batter for a flavored twist.
Toppings: Try adding chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or mini chocolate chips to the glaze or as a topping for added texture and flavor.
Dairy-Free: Substitute dairy milk with almond milk or oat milk and use a dairy-free butter to make the recipe dairy-free.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Donut Pan

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until combined.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense donuts.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each mold about ¾ of the way full. You can also use a piping bag to make filling the pan easier and neater.

Step 6: Bake the Donuts

Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean. The donuts should be lightly golden on top.

Step 7: Cool and Glaze

Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, prepare the glaze.

Step 8: Prepare the Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Add more milk if the glaze is too thick, ½ tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 9: Glaze the Donuts

Dip the top of each donut into the vanilla glaze, ensuring it is coated evenly. If desired, add food coloring to the glaze or sprinkle the donuts with festive sprinkles while the glaze is still wet.

Step 10: Serve

Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade vanilla glazed baked donuts!

Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the donut batter can lead to dense donuts. Mix until just combined for light, fluffy results.
Customize the Glaze: Add a few drops of food coloring to the glaze for a fun, vibrant look. You can also try adding a dash of almond extract or lemon zest for different flavor variations.
Check Donuts for Doneness: Donuts should be lightly golden on top and a toothpick should come out clean when inserted into the center.

How to Serve

Serve these Vanilla Glazed Baked Donuts as a breakfast treat or a sweet snack alongside a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. They’re also perfect for a brunch spread, birthday parties, or any special occasion that calls for a little indulgence.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once glazed, store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you prefer your donuts to stay crispier, store the glaze separately and dip them just before serving.

Freezing

To freeze, place the unglazed donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature and glaze them fresh.

Reheating

To reheat, simply pop the donuts in a warm oven (300°F or 150°C) for 5-7 minutes or microwave them for 10-15 seconds.

FAQs

1. Can I use all-purpose flour instead of self-rising flour?

Yes, you can use all-purpose flour in this recipe. Just make sure to add the baking powder as directed to help the donuts rise.

2. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, simply swap out the butter for dairy-free margarine or coconut oil and use a non-dairy milk, such as almond milk, to make the donuts dairy-free.

3. Can I use a different kind of milk?

Yes, you can use whole milk, 2% milk, or any plant-based milk in place of skim milk in this recipe.

4. How do I prevent the donuts from sticking to the pan?

Make sure to grease the donut pan well with butter or cooking spray to prevent the donuts from sticking.

5. Can I make these donuts gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the flour blend includes a binding agent like xanthan gum.

6. Can I use a different type of glaze?

Yes, you can make a chocolate glaze, maple glaze, or even a cream cheese glaze if you prefer.

7. How do I know when the donuts are fully baked?

The donuts are done when they’re golden brown on top, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. How can I make the glaze thicker?

If the glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired thickness.

9. Can I freeze the donuts before glazing?

Yes, you can freeze the donuts before glazing. After freezing, glaze them once they’re thawed.

10. Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

Yes, you can use a muffin tin as an alternative, though the shape will be slightly different. Bake for the same amount of time.

Conclusion

These Vanilla Glazed Baked Donuts are a simple yet delicious treat that anyone can enjoy. Their soft, fluffy texture combined with the sweet vanilla glaze creates a mouthwatering dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With minimal effort and a few basic ingredients, you can make these delightful donuts in no time. Whether you’re serving them at a party or enjoying them with your morning coffee, these baked donuts are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!