There is nothing quite as delightful as biting into a soft, tender donut bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, and this Strawberry Cake Donuts Recipe delivers exactly that charming experience. These cake donuts are perfectly moist, subtly sweet, and packed with juicy bits of fresh strawberries, making each bite a little celebration of springtime goodness. Whether you’re treating yourself to a weekend breakfast or sharing with friends at brunch, this recipe is a wonderful way to enjoy the familiar comfort of cake donuts with a vibrant, fruity twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Strawberry Cake Donuts Recipe keeps things simple with straightforward, wholesome ingredients that come together beautifully. Each element plays a key role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and appearance of these donuts, from the fluffy all-purpose flour to the rich, fresh strawberries that make them truly special.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: The base that gives structure and softness to the donuts.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness that balances the tartness of the strawberries.
- 2 tsp baking powder: Ensures the donuts rise just right, keeping them light and fluffy.
- ¼ tsp salt: Enhances all the flavors and deepens the taste.
- 1 large egg (room temperature): Binds ingredients for a tender crumb and adds richness.
- ½ cup whole milk: Keeps the batter moist and smooth, helping to create that perfect cake texture.
- ¼ cup melted butter: Gives a buttery flavor and reassuringly rich mouthfeel.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Adds a warm, sweet fragrance that complements the strawberries.
- 1 cup fresh strawberries (chopped): The star ingredient, offering bursts of juicy freshness in every bite.
- ¾ cup powdered sugar (for glaze): For a sweet, delicate coating that’s irresistible.
- 1 tbsp milk (for glaze): Helps create a smooth glaze that drapes beautifully over the donuts.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Greasing your donut pan thoroughly is essential so that the donuts release easily once baked without any sticking, preserving their perfect shape.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that your leavening agent and seasoning are evenly distributed, which is key for a consistent rise and balanced flavor.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, whole milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended. The mixture should look luscious and creamy, setting the stage for a tender donut crumb.
Step 4: Bring the Batter Together
Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ones, making sure not to overmix, which could lead to denser donuts. Then, delicately fold in the freshly chopped strawberries, distributing them evenly without breaking them down too much.
Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan
Use a spoon to fill each cavity of your donut pan about three-quarters full. This allows room for the donuts to rise and develop a lovely, domed top without spilling over.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake your donuts for 10 to 12 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Once out of the oven, let them cool slightly so they’re just warm enough to glaze without melting the sugar coat away.
How to Serve Strawberry Cake Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
While the simple powdered sugar glaze is delightful on its own, you can elevate your Strawberry Cake Donuts Recipe with a variety of garnishes. Consider a light sprinkle of freeze-dried strawberry powder for an extra punch of berry aroma or a dusting of colorful edible flower petals to make them look as pretty as they taste.
Side Dishes
These donuts pair wonderfully with fresh fruit salads or a dollop of lightly whipped cream for breakfast or brunch. If serving as an afternoon treat, try them alongside a steaming cup of coffee or a refreshing glass of iced tea to complement their fruity sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, stack several glazed donuts to create a mini donut tower, and drizzle with strawberry sauce or melted white chocolate. Another playful idea is to sandwich them with strawberry cream cheese frosting for an indulgent, cake-like dessert experience that will wow your loved ones.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your strawberry cake donuts fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They maintain their softness and flavor best when enjoyed soon after baking but can still delight a day or two later.
Freezing
If you want to preserve these treats for longer, wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap and place them in a resealable freezer bag. Frozen strawberry cake donuts can last up to 2 months without losing their delightful texture.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen or refrigerated donuts, gently warm them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or pop them in a low oven until just warmed through. This little step revives their soft, tender crumb and fresh strawberry flavor beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
While fresh strawberries give the best flavor and texture, you can use frozen strawberries if you thaw and drain them thoroughly first to avoid adding too much moisture to the batter, which could affect the donuts’ rise.
Is it possible to make these donuts without a donut pan?
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can try baking the batter in muffin tins instead. The shape will change, but the delicious taste and texture will remain similarly delightful.
How do I prevent the strawberries from sinking to the bottom?
Lightly tossing the chopped strawberries in a bit of flour before folding them into the batter helps keep them suspended evenly throughout the donuts instead of sinking to the base.
Can I substitute the butter for oil?
Yes, you can replace the melted butter with an equal amount of neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil. Keep in mind this may slightly alter the flavor and richness, but the donuts will still be moist and tasty.
What makes a cake donut different from a yeast donut?
Cake donuts are baked or fried goods that rely on baking powder or baking soda for leavening, giving them a denser, crumbly texture. Yeast donuts are lighter and fluffier because of yeast fermentation. This recipe is a delicious example of a cake donut with a fresh, fruity twist.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something that feels like a hug in donut form, this Strawberry Cake Donuts Recipe is absolutely worth making. It’s straightforward, rewarding, and results in a batch of sweet, moist, and irresistibly fresh donuts that are sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Trust me—once you try them, these strawberry-packed delights will keep you coming back for more.
Print
Strawberry Cake Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Strawberry Cake Donuts, featuring fresh strawberries folded into a tender cake batter and finished with a sweet powdered sugar glaze. Perfectly baked for a light texture and a delightful breakfast or snack treat.
Ingredients
Donut Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh strawberries (chopped)
Glaze
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk melted butter, egg, whole milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and evenly mixed.
- Combine wet and dry: Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the donuts light.
- Add strawberries: Fold in the chopped fresh strawberries evenly throughout the batter.
- Fill donut pan: Spoon the batter into the greased donut pan cavities, filling each about ¾ full to allow room for rising.
- Bake donuts: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool donuts: Allow the donuts to cool slightly in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare glaze and finish: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze or drizzle the glaze over the top and let set before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the egg is at room temperature for better batter consistency.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense donuts.
- Use fresh ripe strawberries for the best flavor and moisture.
- Allow donuts to cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
