Red Velvet Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you’re anything like me and love a sweet treat that’s both nostalgic and just a touch fancy, this Red Velvet Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is going to become your new favorite. I absolutely love how these donuts come out tender with that classic red velvet flavor, perfectly paired with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. And the best part? They bake up in just 20 minutes, so you get all the indulgence without the deep-frying hassle.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe balances classic red velvet ingredients with the sweetness and tang from the cream cheese frosting. When shopping, try to get quality cream cheese and buttermilk for best results — they really add to the texture and flavor.

• All-purpose baking flour: The base of your donuts, giving them structure while keeping them tender.
• Cocoa powder: Just a hint to enhance that rich chocolatey note without overpowering the velvet flavor.
• Dark brown sugar: Adds moisture and a bit of depth with its molasses content, making these donuts extra luscious.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the sweetness—don’t skip it.
• Baking powder: Ensures your donuts rise nicely and remain light.
• Buttermilk: Acidic and tangy, buttermilk makes the donuts super moist and tender while reacting with the baking powder.
• Melted butter: Adds richness and a beautiful tender crumb.
• Pure vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the batter.
• Large egg (room temperature): Helps bind everything together with a lovely fluffy texture.
• Red food coloring: For that eye-catching vibrant red color you want in a proper red velvet donut.
• Cream cheese (very soft): Essential for the smooth, tangy frosting that tops these beauties.
• Unsalted butter (very soft): Mixed into the frosting for a creamy texture and a little extra richness.
• Confectioners’ sugar (sifted): Gives the frosting its signature smooth sweetness without grit.
• Milk: To thin out the frosting to just the right consistency for glazing.

Variations

I love tweaking this Red Velvet Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe now and then to suit different moods or dietary needs. Feel free to play around—you’ll find it’s pretty forgiving and super adaptable.

• Gluten-Free Option: Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour and you’ll still get tender, delicious donuts.
• Vegan Adaptation: Use plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives plus a flax egg instead of a chicken egg—results will be surprisingly tasty!
• Spiced Twist: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a cozy flavor boost perfect during autumn.
• Chocolate Chips: Stir in a handful of mini chocolate chips before baking to surprise yourself with ooey-gooey bites.

How to Make Red Velvet Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your flour, cocoa powder, dark brown sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl. I like to use a fine-mesh sieve over the bowl to sift these together—you’ll avoid any lumps and ensure an even distribution of ingredients, which is key for perfectly smooth donuts.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, stir together the buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla, egg, and red food coloring until well combined. I find using room temperature eggs here really helps everything blend seamlessly—cold eggs can sometimes cause butter to seize up.

Step 3: Bring It All Together and Fill Your Donut Pan

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want a smooth batter without toughening the dough. Then, spoon or pipe the batter into your donut pan, filling each well about three-quarters of the way full. This helps them rise without spilling over.

Step 4: Bake – The Easy Part

Pop the pan into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for about 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them as ovens vary. When a toothpick poked in comes out clean, they’re ready! Let them cool in the pan briefly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until super smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract, then gradually mix in the sifted confectioners’ sugar until you get a silky frosting. If it’s too thick, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of milk a little at a time until it’s perfect for spreading or dipping.

Step 6: Frost and Enjoy!

Once your donuts are completely cooled, slather on that dreamy cream cheese frosting. I like to dip the tops or just spread it generously—both ways work beautifully. If you want to get fancy, sprinkle on some mini chocolate chips or chopped pecans for texture. Then, dig in!

How to Serve Red Velvet Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of keeping things simple by garnishing these donuts with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or a few edible rose petals for a fancy touch. Crushed nuts like pecans add lovely crunch, or sometimes I toss on mini chocolate chips because, hey, you can never have too much chocolate!

Side Dishes

These donuts pair amazingly with a fresh berry compote or simply a side of fresh raspberries to balance their richness. And if you’re serving brunch, I love pairing them with freshly brewed coffee or a creamy latte to complement all those sweet flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these donuts on a tiered cake stand surrounded by fresh flowers. Another fun idea is to serve them warm with little ramekins of extra cream cheese frosting and chocolate sauce for dipping—guaranteed party hit! You can also drizzle some melted white chocolate over the frosting for a fancy finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Red Velvet Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting store best in an airtight container in the fridge. I make sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent the frosting from sticking everywhere. They keep nicely for up to 3 days—and honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

If I want to freeze these donuts, I usually skip frosting first. Freeze the plain donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once solid. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw fully and then frost fresh for best texture and flavor.

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, I pop a donut in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to replicate that fresh-baked warmth. If frosted, heat it briefly and enjoy immediately so the frosting stays luscious and doesn’t melt away. This really revives the soft texture beautifully!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s the perfect blend of classic comfort and elegant flavor. Every time I make these, friends and family go crazy for them — and I bet you’ll find that same joy biting into a warm, tender donut coated with that creamy frosting. Give it a try, treat yourself, and share the love. You won’t regret it!

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