Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly golden, soft cake donut that transports you back to grandma's kitchen - no deep-frying required! These Old Fashioned Baked Cake Donuts are the ultimate comfort dessert that combines simplicity, incredible flavor, and a healthier baking approach. Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe promises to deliver bakery-quality donuts right from your home oven, with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Dessert
Serves: 12 donuts
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-cavity donut baking pan thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray or butter to ensure easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg until well combined and no lumps remain.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk the milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough donuts.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off. Carefully pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, you can dust with powdered sugar, dip in a glaze, or coat with cinnamon sugar as desired.
- Serve fresh and enjoy within 1-2 days for the best texture and flavor. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Tips
- Don't overmix the batter - this is key to achieving a tender, light texture. Mix just until ingredients are combined.
- Use a piping bag or zip-top bag for neat, consistent donut shapes.
- Grease your donut pan thoroughly to ensure easy removal.
- Check donuts a minute early to prevent overcooking - every oven is slightly different.
- Let donuts cool completely before adding toppings to prevent soggy results.
- Experiment with different coatings like chocolate glaze, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar.
- For extra moisture, you can substitute part of the milk with sour cream or yogurt.
- These donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 55mg
