Fluffy Strawberry Cake Donuts Recipe: Sweet Morning Joy

Sweet summer memories dance through my mind whenever I whip up these delightful strawberry cake donuts that capture pure happiness in every bite.

Fresh, ripe strawberries bring unexpected magic to classic donut recipes.

My grandmother’s cherished baking traditions inspire these delectable treats that melt in your mouth.

Light and fluffy textures blend perfectly with vibrant fruit flavors.

Soft pink glaze adds a whimsical touch that makes these donuts absolutely irresistible.

Sophisticated yet playful, these donuts transform ordinary breakfast moments into something extraordinary.

You’ll want to gather friends and savor each incredible morsel right away.

What Makes Strawberry Cake Donuts So Special

• Burst of Fresh Strawberry Flavor: Packed with real strawberry puree in both the donut batter and glaze, these treats deliver an authentic, vibrant fruity taste that feels like biting into a summer garden.
• Effortlessly Baked, Not Fried: Enjoy a healthier donut option that's baked in the oven, creating a lighter texture while still maintaining that classic donut experience without the extra oil and mess of deep-frying.
• Quick and Simple Weekday Treat: Whip up these donuts in under 30 minutes from start to finish, making them perfect for spontaneous breakfast surprises or afternoon snack cravings with minimal kitchen effort.
• Customizable and Fun Decorating: Top with sprinkles, freeze-dried strawberries, or experiment with different glazing techniques to make each donut a unique and Instagram-worthy creation that sparks joy for both kids and adults.

What You’ll Need For Strawberry Cake Donuts

• Flour: The base for the donut's structure, providing a soft and tender texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the donuts rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the donuts.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning.

• Butter, Egg: Provide richness, moisture, and help bind the ingredients together.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings a warm, classic flavor to the donuts.
• Strawberry Puree: Infuses the donuts with fresh strawberry flavor and natural color.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk: Create a smooth, sweet glaze for coating the donuts.
• Strawberry Puree or Jam: Adds extra strawberry flavor and color to the glaze.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the glaze's overall taste.
• Sprinkles, Freeze-Dried Strawberry Pieces: Optional decorative and crunchy toppings for extra texture and visual appeal.

How To Make Strawberry Cake Donuts From Scratch

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grab a donut pan and give it a light coating of cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Granulated sugar

Ensure everything is evenly mixed and free of lumps.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Melted butter
• Fresh egg
• Buttermilk
• Vanilla extract
• Pureed strawberries

Stir until the ingredients are fully incorporated and look silky.

Step 4: Create the Batter

Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold everything together with a spatula. Stop mixing as soon as the batter looks uniform – overmixing will make your donuts tough.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Molds

Use a spoon or piping bag to fill each donut cavity about two-thirds full. This allows room for the donuts to rise perfectly during baking.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let the donuts rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 7: Whip Up the Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Strawberry puree
• Vanilla extract

Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or sugar until you reach a smooth, drippable texture.

Step 8: Decorate and Finish

Dunk each cooled donut into the glaze, letting excess drip off. Place back on the cooling rack. For extra flair, sprinkle with colorful jimmies or crushed freeze-dried strawberries. Allow glaze to set completely before serving.

Enjoy your homemade strawberry cake donuts – a sweet treat that’s sure to brighten any day!

Tips To Make Strawberry Cake Donuts Even Better

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir the batter gently until ingredients are just combined to keep donuts light and fluffy, avoiding tough textures.
• Customize Sweetness: Adjust the glaze by adding more powdered sugar for thickness or milk for a thinner consistency, creating your perfect sweet level.
• Fresh Strawberry Boost: Use ripe, in-season strawberries for puree to enhance natural flavor and create a more vibrant pink color in the donuts.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap buttermilk with almond milk or coconut milk and use plant-based butter to make the recipe suitable for dairy-sensitive diets.
• Storage Savvy: Store glazed donuts at room temperature for 1-2 days in an airtight container, or refrigerate for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.

How To Store And Heat Up Strawberry Cake Donuts

• Refrigeration: Store glazed donuts in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Room Temperature: Keep unglazed donuts at room temperature in a sealed container for 1-2 days, maintaining their best texture and freshness.
• Freezing: Wrap individual donuts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for optimal taste and texture.
• Reheating: Warm donuts gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 5 minutes to restore their soft, fluffy texture.

Strawberry Cake Donuts Go Great With These

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Latte: Complement the sweet strawberry flavor with a smooth, rich vanilla latte that balances the donut's fruity notes and adds a luxurious creamy texture.
• Match with Champagne Rosé: Elevate the dessert experience by sipping a light, bubbly champagne rosé that echoes the strawberry's delicate sweetness and creates a sophisticated pairing.
• Serve with Fresh Mint Tea: Brew a cool, refreshing mint tea that cuts through the donut's sweetness and provides a crisp, clean palate cleanser between bites.
• Enjoy with White Chocolate Mocha: Create a decadent combination with a white chocolate mocha that highlights the strawberry's brightness and adds a creamy, indulgent dimension to the dessert.

Fun Ways To Switch Up Strawberry Cake Donuts

• Berry Blast Donuts: Swap strawberry puree with mixed berry puree for a vibrant, multi-berry flavor explosion. Use raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries to create a colorful and tangy treat that bursts with summer freshness.
• Tropical Paradise Donuts: Replace strawberry puree with mango or passion fruit puree for a sunny, tropical twist. Add shredded coconut to the glaze and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top for an exotic, vacation-inspired donut experience.
• Chocolate Strawberry Dream: Incorporate cocoa powder into the dry ingredients for a rich chocolate base. Drizzle white chocolate glaze over the donuts and garnish with crushed freeze-dried strawberries for an indulgent, decadent version of the original recipe.
• Cream Cheese Strawberry Swirl: Mix softened cream cheese into the glaze for a tangy, creamy topping. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top to create a cheesecake-inspired donut that combines classic flavors in a handheld treat.

Common Questions About Strawberry Cake Donuts

• Why use buttermilk in this strawberry cake donut recipe?

Buttermilk helps create a tender, soft texture in the donuts by breaking down the gluten in the flour, making them extra moist and delicious.

• Can I use fresh or frozen strawberries for the puree?

Both work great! Fresh strawberries will give a brighter flavor, while frozen strawberries are convenient and can be used year-round. Just make sure to puree them until smooth.

• How do I prevent my donuts from sticking to the pan?

Generously grease your donut pan with nonstick spray or butter before adding the batter. This ensures easy removal and keeps the donuts looking perfect.

• What if I don't have a donut pan?

No worries! You can use a muffin tin to make strawberry cake muffins instead. Just adjust the baking time slightly and fill the cups about 2/3 full.

Strawberry Cake Donuts Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade Strawberry Cake Donuts blend sweet summer memories with classic bakery charm. Delicate strawberry-infused pastries offer bakers a delightful dessert that sparks pure joy with each perfect, pillowy bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 g) fresh strawberries, pureed or finely chopped
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk (or milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar)

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fat and Liquid Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) milk
• 1 tablespoon strawberry puree (or strawberry jam)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Garnish:

• Sprinkles or freeze-dried strawberry pieces

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and coating a donut pan with nonstick spray or butter to ensure easy release.
2. Create a dry mixture by thoroughly blending flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
3. Craft a smooth wet mixture in a separate container by whisking together melted butter, egg, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and strawberry puree until the liquid becomes uniform and glossy.
4. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring with minimal agitation to prevent tough donuts, stopping when the batter appears just combined with no visible flour streaks.
5. Transfer the batter into donut pan cavities, filling each compartment approximately two-thirds full to allow proper rising during baking.
6. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring until the edges turn golden and a inserted toothpick emerges clean, indicating complete cooking.
7. Allow donuts to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to achieve complete temperature equilibration.
8. Construct a glossy glaze by blending powdered sugar, milk, strawberry puree, and vanilla extract, adjusting liquid and sugar proportions to reach desired consistency.
9. Immerse each cooled donut into the prepared glaze, allowing excess to drip away, then position on the wire rack to set, optionally garnishing with sprinkles or freeze-dried strawberry fragments for visual appeal.

Notes

• Adjust the strawberry flavor by using fresh, ripe strawberries or high-quality strawberry puree for a more intense, natural taste.
• Experiment with different milk alternatives like almond or oat milk to make the recipe dairy-free and accommodate various dietary preferences.
• Use a piping bag or zip-lock bag with a corner cut off for a neat, professional-looking donut filling technique that prevents messy edges.
• Swap out regular flour with gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly version without compromising the texture and taste of the donuts.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg