Description
These baked lemon donuts are light, fluffy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Topped with a sweet and tangy lemon glaze, they make the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or a zesty dessert. Plus, since they’re baked instead of fried, they’re easy to make and a bit lighter too!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Donuts:
- 200 g (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 100 g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) buttermilk (or milk + 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice)
- 2 large eggs
- 60 g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 1–2 lemons)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 150 g (1 1/4 cups) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- Yellow sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional)
Instructions
🍩 Making the Donuts:
-
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Grease a 6-hole donut pan with non-stick spray or butter.
-
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth.
-
Combine Wet and Dry:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Mix gently until just combined (avoid overmixing).
-
Fill the Donut Pan:
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner cut off.
- Pipe the batter into the donut cavities, filling each about 2/3 full.
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Bake:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
🍋 Making the Lemon Glaze:
-
Prepare the Glaze:
- In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Add more lemon juice if needed to reach a pourable consistency.
-
Glaze the Donuts:
- Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off.
- Place the donuts back on the wire rack and sprinkle with yellow sprinkles or sanding sugar if desired.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions:
- Serve fresh with a cup of coffee or tea for a refreshing treat.
- For an extra burst of flavor, add a bit of grated lemon zest on top of the glaze.
Notes
- Storage: Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months, then thaw and glaze before serving.