Short Description
Red Velvet Donuts are a delicious and visually stunning treat featuring a soft, moist texture and a rich cocoa flavor. Topped with a smooth cream cheese glaze, these baked donuts are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or any special occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic red velvet flavor in a fun, donut form
- Baked, not fried, for a lighter treat
- Soft, moist, and deliciously rich texture
- Topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze
- Perfect for holidays, brunch, or a sweet indulgence
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Donuts:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Buttermilk
- Vegetable oil
- Eggs
- Red food coloring
- Vanilla extract
- White vinegar
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- Cream cheese, softened
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
- Make the batter: In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix buttermilk, oil, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar until well combined.
- Gradually add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Fill the donut pan: Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the glaze: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Glaze the donuts: Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the glaze or drizzle it over the top.
- Serve and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 donuts
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate Lovers: Add mini chocolate chips to the batter for extra indulgence.
- Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the glaze.
- Vegan Option: Use plant-based milk, egg replacer, and dairy-free cream cheese.
- Spiced Twist: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months; thaw and glaze before serving.
- Reheating: Microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften before serving.
FAQs
Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
Yes, you can use a muffin tin and shape foil rings to create a similar effect.
Can I use a boxed red velvet cake mix?
Yes, but homemade gives a richer flavor and better texture.
How do I make the glaze thicker or thinner?
Adjust the milk amount—add more for a thinner glaze or less for a thicker consistency.
Can I fry these donuts instead of baking?
No, this batter is designed for baking and won’t work well for frying.
Can I substitute the buttermilk?
Yes, use regular milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice as a substitute.
How do I keep my donuts from sticking to the pan?
Grease the pan well with butter or nonstick spray before filling.
Can I add more cocoa powder for a deeper chocolate flavor?
Yes, but slightly reduce the flour to maintain the right texture.
Do these donuts taste like traditional fried donuts?
They are lighter and more cake-like but still incredibly delicious.
Can I make mini donuts with this recipe?
Yes! Adjust the baking time to about 8-10 minutes for mini donuts.
What other toppings can I use besides glaze?
Try powdered sugar, chocolate drizzle, or sprinkles for a fun variation.
Conclusion
Red Velvet Donuts bring all the rich, velvety goodness of red velvet cake in a perfectly portioned donut form. Baked to perfection and topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze, these treats are a must-try for any dessert lover. Whether for breakfast, a party, or a holiday treat, they are sure to impress!
PrintRed Velvet Donuts
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 donuts 1x
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Red Velvet Donuts are soft, moist, and full of that classic red velvet flavor with a hint of cocoa. Baked instead of fried, they’re topped with a smooth cream cheese glaze for the perfect balance of sweetness. Ideal for breakfast, dessert, or a special treat!
Ingredients
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1 1/4 cups (160g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) red food coloring
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the Donuts:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, oil, vanilla extract, vinegar, and red food coloring.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each mold about ¾ full.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the glaze or drizzle over them.
- Let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- For a deeper chocolate flavor, add an extra ½ tablespoon cocoa powder.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, substitute with ½ cup milk + ½ tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
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