Celebrate the season of love or any special occasion with these irresistible Baked Red Velvet Donuts! These soft, fluffy donuts are infused with the rich flavor of red velvet cake, creating a perfect blend of cocoa and buttermilk. Finished with a sweet cream cheese glaze, these donuts are a delightful treat that’s both visually striking and delicious. Unlike their fried counterparts, these baked donuts are lighter and slightly healthier, making them an easy indulgence for any occasion.
The vibrant red color and velvety texture of these donuts are sure to wow anyone who takes a bite. Whether you’re serving them for Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or just because you crave something sweet, they’re a great way to add a little extra flair to your day. Plus, making them at home means you can control the sweetness and flavor, ensuring the perfect donut every time. Let’s dive into this fun and tasty recipe that will surely become a favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1. Perfect Red Velvet Flavor
These donuts capture the rich, decadent taste of classic red velvet cake, with a slight hint of cocoa and tangy buttermilk that makes them irresistible.
2. Baked, Not Fried
By baking these donuts instead of frying them, you get a lighter, fluffier texture that still has all the indulgence of traditional donuts without the extra oil.
3. Festive and Colorful
The striking red color of these donuts makes them an eye-catching treat for any occasion, from Valentine’s Day to holiday parties or special brunches.
4. Cream Cheese Glaze
Topping these donuts with a creamy, tangy cream cheese glaze elevates the flavor, making them feel like a luxurious dessert that’s still simple to make.
5. Quick and Easy
Unlike many donut recipes that require frying and complicated steps, this one is quick and easy to make, taking just a fraction of the time while delivering amazing results.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Buttermilk
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Red food coloring
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
For the cream cheese glaze:
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Milk (or heavy cream)
Variations
- Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Donuts: Add a handful of mini chocolate chips to the batter for extra chocolate flavor and a delightful surprise in every bite.
- Strawberry Glaze: For a fruity twist, substitute the cream cheese glaze with a strawberry glaze made from powdered sugar, fresh strawberry puree, and a dash of vanilla extract.
- Nutty Donuts: Add crushed walnuts or pecans to the batter or sprinkle them on top of the cream cheese glaze for a crunchy contrast.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your donut pan with cooking spray or lightly oil it to ensure the donuts come out easily after baking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. The red food coloring is what gives these donuts their signature color, so feel free to add more for a deeper red hue.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can result in dense donuts.
Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan
Spoon the donut batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full. You can use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the tip cut off to easily fill the pan.
Step 6: Bake the Donuts
Bake the donuts in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze
While the donuts are cooling, make the cream cheese glaze. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, and whisk until the glaze is smooth and pourable. If you prefer a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar; for a thinner consistency, add more milk.
Step 8: Glaze the Donuts
Once the donuts have completely cooled, dip the tops into the cream cheese glaze, allowing any excess glaze to drip off. Let the glazed donuts sit for a few minutes to allow the glaze to set before serving.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Donut Pan: A non-stick donut pan works best for easy removal. If you don’t have a donut pan, you can also use a muffin tin, but the shape will be different.
- Food Coloring: The amount of food coloring you use will affect the final color of the donuts. If you want a deep red hue, you may need to use more coloring. Gel food coloring works best for vibrant results.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing the batter can lead to dense, tough donuts.
- Cool Before Glazing: Allow the donuts to cool completely before glazing to ensure the glaze sets properly and doesn’t melt off the donuts.
How to Serve
These Baked Red Velvet Donuts are perfect for any occasion. Serve them at a brunch, as part of a Valentine’s Day celebration, or as an indulgent breakfast treat. They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of cold milk. You can serve them on their own or as part of a dessert spread with other Valentine’s Day-themed treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you live in a humid area, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator to keep the glaze from melting.
Freezing
If you want to make the donuts ahead of time, you can freeze them. Place the cooled donuts in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 1-2 months. When ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature before glazing and serving.
Reheating
To reheat the donuts, place them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, or warm them up in the oven for a few minutes at 300°F (150°C).
FAQs
1. Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
Yes, you can use a muffin tin if you don’t have a donut pan. The texture will be slightly different, but the taste will still be delicious.
2. Can I use a different type of milk?
Yes, you can use any type of milk instead of buttermilk. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk, then letting it sit for 5 minutes.
3. Can I make the donuts without food coloring?
Yes, the food coloring is optional. Your donuts will still taste delicious without it, but they won’t have the classic red velvet color.
4. Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to use a blend that’s specifically designed for baking to get the best results.
5. Can I use regular cream cheese instead of whipped cream cheese for the glaze?
Yes, regular cream cheese works perfectly fine for the glaze. Just make sure it’s softened before mixing for a smooth texture.
6. How can I make the glaze thicker or thinner?
To thicken the glaze, add more powdered sugar. To thin it out, add more milk or cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
7. Can I add other flavors to the donuts?
Yes! You can experiment with different extracts, such as almond, vanilla, or even coconut, to add a unique twist to the flavor.
8. How do I make these donuts more chocolaty?
If you’d like a richer chocolate flavor, you can add more cocoa powder to the batter or stir in some chocolate chips.
9. Can I make the donuts ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these donuts a day or two ahead of time. Just store them in an airtight container and add the glaze when you’re ready to serve.
10. How do I make the donuts more festive?
You can decorate the glazed donuts with sprinkles, edible glitter, or red velvet crumbs for an extra festive touch!
Conclusion
These Baked Red Velvet Donuts are the perfect treat for any occasion. With their soft, tender texture and rich, creamy cream cheese glaze, they’re sure to be a hit at your next celebration. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones on Valentine’s Day or enjoying them as a special breakfast, these donuts are a sweet way to indulge. Easy to make and absolutely delicious, they’re bound to become a favorite in your recipe collection!
Print
Baked Red Velvet Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Baked Red Velvet Donuts are the perfect blend of rich, velvety flavor and light, fluffy texture. Baked instead of fried, they’re a lighter option that doesn’t compromise on taste. With a creamy cream cheese glaze on top, these donuts are a sweet treat that’s perfect for any celebration, especially Valentine’s Day!
Ingredients
- For the donuts:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or substitute with milk + 1 teaspoon lemon juice)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
- For the cream cheese glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan or spray it with non-stick spray.
- Make the Donut Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg, buttermilk, melted butter, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until well combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could result in dense donuts.
- Fill the Donut Pan:
- Spoon or pipe the donut batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 of the way full.
- Smooth the tops with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Bake the Donuts:
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Add more milk if needed to reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
- If the glaze is too thick, gradually add more milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Glaze the Donuts:
- Once the donuts are fully cooled, dip the tops of the donuts into the cream cheese glaze. Alternatively, you can drizzle the glaze over the donuts with a spoon.
- Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve:
- Serve these delicious Baked Red Velvet Donuts fresh with a cup of coffee or milk for a sweet treat!
Notes
- For extra decoration, you can sprinkle the donuts with red sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or even crushed nuts.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake the batter in a muffin tin and create red velvet “muffin donuts” instead.
- Make sure to not overmix the batter, as this can make the donuts dense.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: red velvet donuts, baked donuts, cream cheese glaze, Valentine’s Day treats, red velvet desserts