Baked Lemon Donuts

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • No Frying Required: These donuts are baked, not fried, making them lighter and easier to prepare.
  • Quick and Easy: From start to finish, you’ll have fresh donuts ready in under 30 minutes.
  • Customizable: Add sprinkles, zest, or white chocolate drizzle to make these donuts uniquely yours.
  • Bursting with Lemon Flavor: The combination of fresh lemon juice and zest creates a vibrant citrusy punch in every bite.
  • Perfect for Any Occasion: These donuts are versatile enough to be served for breakfast, dessert, or a midday snack.

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
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • buttermilk
  • unsalted butter, melted
  • large egg
  • vanilla extract
  • lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
  • fresh lemon juice

For the Lemon Glaze:

  • powdered sugar
  • fresh lemon juice
  • lemon zest
  • Optional: yellow food coloring

Optional Garnishes:

  • Lemon zest
  • Sprinkles
  • White chocolate drizzle

Directions

Preheat the Oven:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with non-stick spray.

Prepare the Donut Batter:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice until well combined.
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.

Fill the Donut Pan:

  1. Spoon the batter into a piping bag or a large zip-top bag with the corner snipped.
  2. Pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.

Bake the Donuts:

  1. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  2. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Lemon Glaze:

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Adjust the thickness of the glaze by adding more powdered sugar or lemon juice. Add yellow food coloring if desired.

Glaze the Donuts:

  1. Dip the tops of each cooled donut into the lemon glaze, allowing the excess to drip off.
  2. Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack to set. Garnish with additional lemon zest, sprinkles, or white chocolate drizzle, if desired.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: Makes 10-12 donuts, depending on the size of your pan.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes

Variations

  • Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
  • Dairy-Free: Use almond milk mixed with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice as a buttermilk substitute and replace butter with coconut oil.
  • Extra Lemon Flavor: Add a teaspoon of lemon extract to the batter or glaze for an even bolder citrus kick.
  • Chocolate Lemon Donuts: Drizzle with melted white chocolate or dip the entire donut in white chocolate before glazing.
  • Poppy Seed Addition: Fold in 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds into the batter for a lemon-poppy seed twist.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Store the glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature and glaze before serving.
  • Reheating: Warm the donuts in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to bring back their soft texture before enjoying.

FAQs

1. Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

Yes! Use a muffin tin and pipe the batter into rings using parchment paper molds.

2. How do I prevent the donuts from sticking to the pan?

Grease your donut pan well with non-stick spray or butter before adding the batter.

3. Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor, but bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch.

4. How can I make the glaze thicker?

Add more powdered sugar to the glaze to achieve a thicker consistency.

5. Can I make the donuts ahead of time?

Yes, bake the donuts ahead of time and glaze them just before serving for the freshest taste.

6. What’s a good substitute for buttermilk?

Mix 1/2 cup of milk with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes to create a buttermilk substitute.

7. Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! Simply double all the ingredients to make a larger batch.

8. Why are my donuts dense?

Overmixing the batter can make the donuts dense. Stir the batter until just combined for a fluffy texture.

9. Can I add fruit to the batter?

Yes, small pieces of blueberries or raspberries pair wonderfully with the lemon flavor.

10. How can I color the glaze naturally?

For a natural yellow hue, add a pinch of turmeric to the glaze instead of food coloring.

Conclusion

Baked lemon donuts are a bright, zesty treat that’s simple to make and perfect for any occasion. With their moist texture, tangy glaze, and endless customization options, they’re bound to be a favorite in your kitchen. Give them a try today—you’ll be hooked after the first bite!


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Baked Lemon Donuts


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  • Author: Isabella
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 10-12 donuts
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These baked lemon donuts are light, fluffy, and bursting with vibrant citrus flavor. Topped with a tangy lemon glaze, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of day. Quick, easy, and versatile, these donuts are baked—not fried—and ready in under 30 minutes.


Ingredients

For the Donuts:

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

For the Lemon Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Zest of ½ lemon
  • (Optional) Yellow food coloring

Optional Garnishes:

  • Lemon zest
  • Sprinkles
  • White chocolate drizzle

Instructions

  • Preheat the Oven:
    Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan with non-stick spray.
  • Prepare the Donut Batter:
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
    • In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, melted butter, egg, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
    • Combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just combined (do not overmix).
  • Fill the Donut Pan:
    • Spoon batter into a piping bag or zip-top bag and pipe into the pan, filling each cavity ¾ full.
  • Bake the Donuts:
    • Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
    • Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Prepare the Lemon Glaze:
    • In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest. Adjust thickness with more sugar or juice. Add food coloring if desired.
  • Glaze the Donuts:
    • Dip the tops of each cooled donut into the glaze and place on a wire rack to set. Garnish as desired.

Notes

  • Avoid overmixing to ensure the donuts stay light and fluffy.
  • For an extra citrus kick, add 1 tsp of lemon extract to the batter or glaze.
  • Use a muffin tin if a donut pan isn’t available and mold parchment paper into rings.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert, Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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