If you’re craving something light, sweet, and downright delightful, this Strawberry Glazed Baked Donuts Recipe is hands down one of my all-time favorites to whip up. It combines fluffy, tender baked donuts with a luscious strawberry glaze that’s bursting with fresh fruit flavor. Trust me, you’ll find that these donuts are not only beautiful but also incredibly easy to make right at home—no deep frying required!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy & Baked, Not Fried: These donuts give you that soft, tender crumb without the mess of frying.
- Fresh Strawberry Flavor: The glaze made from real strawberries adds a vibrant, natural sweetness.
- Perfect Texture: Thanks to sour cream in the batter, they’re moist with a delicate crumb every time.
- Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: My family goes crazy for these, and they’re great for gatherings or breakfast treats.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering quality ingredients really sets you up for success here. The combo of sour cream and melted butter lends richness, while fresh strawberries make for an unbeatable glaze that’s sweet but not overpowering.
- All-purpose flour: Use spooned and leveled flour for the right texture—too compacted can dry donuts out.
- Baking powder & baking soda: These leaveners help the donuts rise perfectly, so don’t skip or substitute them.
- Salt & nutmeg: A pinch of nutmeg adds a subtle warmth I love, and salt balances sweetness.
- White granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with that tender crumb.
- Eggs: Room temperature eggs blend better, making your batter smoother.
- Milk: Also room temp, it adds moisture—too cold and it can cause lumps.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: This is the secret to moist, tender donuts with a slight tang.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and cooled for richness and flavor, plus it keeps donuts soft.
- Pure vanilla extract: Elevates the overall flavor with a lovely sweet aroma.
- Sliced strawberries: For the glaze — fresh, washed, and quartered.
- Powdered sugar: The base of the glaze, giving it that perfect sweetness and smoothness.
- Milk (for glaze): To thin the glaze just enough to coat the donuts without running off.
Variations
I love to play around with this recipe depending on the season or who I’m serving it to—you’ll enjoy making it your own too! Here are a few ideas I often try:
- Berry Mix: Swap the strawberries for fresh raspberries or blueberries in the glaze for a different fruity twist.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend and add a little xanthan gum to mimic the texture—I found it works quite well.
- Vegan Version: Replace eggs with a flax egg and use vegan sour cream or coconut yogurt; the glaze stays the same and is still delicious.
- Chocolate Drizzle: After glazing, drizzle melted dark chocolate on top for a decadent touch my family adores.
How to Make Strawberry Glazed Baked Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F—this temperature helps the donuts bake evenly without drying out. While it warms up, spray two donut pans with a good quality non-stick baking spray to ensure your donuts pop right out without sticking. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg. Taking a moment here helps the leaveners get evenly distributed for consistent texture.
Step 2: Mix Your Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, combine sugar, eggs, milk, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), melted butter, and vanilla extract. Make sure these ingredients are at room temperature – I learned this makes the batter smoother and the donuts more tender. Whisk everything until fully blended, taking care not to overbeat.
Step 3: Combine and Fill Your Donut Pans
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently mix until just combined; you don’t want to overmix or the donuts get dense. Then, pour the batter into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner cut off—it makes filling the donut molds so much easier. Fill each cavity about 2/3 full to leave room for rising.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Bake the donuts for 10 to 13 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. I always check around the 10-minute mark to avoid overbaking. Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before gently transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely—this prevents breakage and keeps their shape intact.
Step 5: Make the Strawberry Glaze
While the donuts cool, blend your quartered strawberries in a food processor until smooth. Stir half of your powdered sugar into the puree, then add the rest slowly, mixing well. You’re aiming for a thick consistency before adding the milk—then add the milk a little at a time until your glaze is thin enough to coat the donuts but thick enough to cling. If it gets too runny, just whisk in some more powdered sugar.
Step 6: Glaze and Set
Dip the cooled donuts into the strawberry glaze, making sure to coat them evenly. Let them sit on the cooling rack so the glaze can set—this usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Watching the glaze harden just a bit gives you that perfect sticky-sweet finish I love.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Glazed Baked Donuts Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: I learned the hard way—cold dairy or eggs make batters lumpy, so always pull them out 1-2 hours before you start.
- Piping Bag Trick: Using a piping or ziplock bag to fill the donut pans cuts down on mess and gives perfectly shaped donuts every time.
- Glaze Consistency: The glaze should be thick enough to stick but thin enough to drip gently. Add milk slowly and test by dipping a donut edge before glazing all.
- Don’t Overmix Batter: Stir gently until just combined to keep donuts tender and fluffy—not dense or tough.
How to Serve Strawberry Glazed Baked Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
I like to scatter a few fresh strawberry slices or tiny mint leaves on top after glazing for an extra pop of color and freshness. Sometimes a light sprinkle of finely chopped toasted almonds or coconut flakes adds a delightful crunch too.
Side Dishes
Pair these donuts with a hot cup of coffee or a refreshing glass of milk for breakfast or brunch. They’re also fantastic alongside a yogurt parfait or fresh fruit salad to keep things light and balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
For a birthday party or baby shower, I like to stack glazed donuts on a pretty cake stand with fresh flowers or berries nestled around—so simple but instantly impressive. You can also thread a few on a cute skewer with strawberry chunks as a grab-and-go treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen is warm, a cool spot or fridge works too—just be aware the glaze might get a bit sticky.
Freezing
I’ve frozen baked donuts successfully by wrapping each individually in plastic wrap, then placing them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature for about an hour and re-glaze if desired.
Reheating
To warm up leftovers, I pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a toaster oven for a couple of minutes. This revives the softness without melting the glaze too much.
FAQs
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Can I make the donuts gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a good-quality gluten-free blend, and add a small amount of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it. The texture will be a bit different, but still delicious.
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Do I have to use a donut pan?
While the donut pan gives the classic shape and helps them bake evenly, you could also bake the batter in a muffin tin for round mini donuts, though the shape will differ and may need slight adjustments in baking time.
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How fresh do the strawberries need to be for the glaze?
The fresher, the better! Ripe, juicy strawberries create the most flavorful glaze. If out of season, you can thaw frozen strawberries (well-drained) but fresh produce really makes a difference.
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Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?
You can prep the glaze a few hours ahead and refrigerate it, but stir well before dipping donuts since it may thicken. For best texture, glaze donuts soon after baking and cooling.
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What if my glaze is too runny or too thick?
If too runny, add more powdered sugar slowly. If too thick, add a bit more milk a teaspoon at a time. The glaze should coat the donuts without dripping off completely.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Strawberry Glazed Baked Donuts Recipe turns out every time—the balance of fluffy donuts and sweet, fresh glaze is irresistible. When I first made these, my family devoured them so quickly I had to hide a few for myself! It’s such a fun, approachable recipe that anyone can master with just a few simple tips. So go ahead, try this in your kitchen and enjoy that boost of homemade joy with every bite.
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Strawberry Glazed Baked Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these homemade Strawberry Glazed Donuts, featuring soft, fluffy baked donuts topped with a fresh and sweet strawberry glaze. Perfect for breakfast or an irresistible snack, these donuts combine classic baking ingredients with the vibrant flavor of real strawberries for a treat that’s both comforting and fresh.
Ingredients
Donuts
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- Pinch of Nutmeg
- 2/3 cup White granulated sugar
- 2 Large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cups Milk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup Sour cream, room temperature or Greek yogurt
- 4 TBSP Unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
Strawberry Glaze
- 1/2 cup Strawberries, washed and quartered
- 2 cups Powdered sugar
- 1 TBSP Milk
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray two donut pans thoroughly with a baking non-stick spray to ensure easy release after baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg. Whisk these together and set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the white granulated sugar, large eggs, milk, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), melted unsalted butter, and pure vanilla extract until fully blended and smooth.
- Blend batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Gently stir until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
- Fill donut pans: Transfer the batter into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe the batter evenly into the prepared donut pans, filling each cavity about two-thirds full for proper rising.
- Bake donuts: Place the pans in the oven and bake for 10-13 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean. Allow donuts to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare strawberry glaze: Place the quartered fresh strawberries into a food processor and blend until smooth to make a puree. Pour the puree into a small bowl and stir in half of the powdered sugar until combined.
- Adjust glaze consistency: Add the remaining powdered sugar to the puree and mix well. The mixture should be thick before adding milk. Slowly add 1 tablespoon of milk and stir until the glaze reaches a consistency that is thin enough to coat the donuts but thick enough to stay on without dripping off. If glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar accordingly.
- Glaze donuts: Dip the cooled donuts into the strawberry glaze, ensuring full coverage. Place them back on the cooling rack to let the glaze set and dry.
Notes
- Flour: Use the spoon and level method or a kitchen scale to measure flour accurately to avoid dry donuts caused by compacted flour.
- High altitude baking: For high altitude locations, add an extra 2 tablespoons of flour to the dry ingredients to maintain the proper texture.
- Dairy ingredients: Remove eggs, milk, and sour cream from the refrigerator about 2 hours before baking to bring them to room temperature for better mixing and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg