If you’ve ever dreamed of biting into a soft, fluffy donut dripping with a fruity, vibrant topping, then wait until you try this Strawberry Glazed Donuts Recipe. These donuts strike the perfect balance between light, cake-like texture and a luscious strawberry glaze that adds a sweet, tangy pop of flavor. Not only do they look stunning with their bright pink sheen, but they also combine simple pantry staples with fresh fruit magic to create a treat that feels both indulgent and homey. Whether you’re sharing with friends or savoring a weekend morning, this recipe will quickly become a beloved classic in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these ingredients is a breeze, yet each one plays a crucial role in crafting the perfect donut experience. From the leavening agents that make each bite tender to the fresh strawberries that infuse natural sweetness and color, every component is essential to the final masterpiece.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for your donuts, providing structure and that satisfying chew.
- Baking powder: Ensures your donuts rise beautifully without heaviness.
- Baking soda: Adds a tender crumb by interacting with sour cream.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor complexity.
- Nutmeg: Just a pinch adds a subtle warmth that complements the strawberry glaze.
- White granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps with browning for a lovely crust.
- Large eggs: Provide moisture and help the batter bind together perfectly.
- Milk: Keeps the donuts tender and moist.
- Sour cream (or Greek yogurt): Adds richness and a slight tang that pairs beautifully with strawberries.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and cooled for that buttery flavor without making the batter greasy.
- Pure vanilla extract: Deepens flavor with sweet, fragrant notes.
- Fresh strawberries: Pureed for the glaze, delivering fresh fruit vibrancy.
- Powdered sugar: The backbone of the sweet, glossy glaze.
- Milk (for glaze): Adjusts the glaze consistency to perfection.
How to Make Strawberry Glazed Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Donut Batter
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and giving your two donut pans a good spray with non-stick baking spray to ensure flawless donut removal. In a large bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients — flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and that hint of nutmeg — setting the stage for light, tender donuts. In another bowl, blend the sugar, eggs, milk, sour cream, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth and inviting. Then, gently fold your wet ingredients into the dry just until combined; be careful not to overmix or you risk sacrificing that delicate crumb.
Step 2: Fill and Bake the Donuts
Pour the batter into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off, then carefully pipe the batter into the donut pans, filling each ring about two-thirds of the way. This precise filling keeps your donuts perfectly shaped and not too dense. Pop them into the oven and bake for 10 to 13 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the donuts rest in the pan for about five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely — patience here means no soggy bottoms!
Step 3: Create the Strawberry Glaze
While the donuts are cooling, it’s time to make the star of the show — that luscious strawberry glaze. Toss your quartered strawberries into a food processor and blend until you have a smooth puree bursting with fresh fruit flavor. Stir half of the powdered sugar into the puree, mix well, then add the remaining sugar. Before adding milk, the glaze should be thick and spreadable. Add milk gradually to thin it out to just the right consistency — not so runny that it pools off the donut, but not too stiff to coat them evenly.
Step 4: Dip and Dry
Dip each cooled donut into the strawberry glaze, giving it a gentle swirl so every inch is covered in that sweet pink goodness. Place the glazed donuts back on the cooling rack and let the glaze set, resulting in a shiny, irresistible finish that’s hard to resist even before you take a bite.
How to Serve Strawberry Glazed Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
To make your strawberry glazed donuts look even more festive and crave-worthy, consider a sprinkle of finely chopped freeze-dried strawberries or a few edible flower petals on top after glazing. These touches add texture, a pop of color, and that extra wow factor that will impress anyone lucky enough to get a donut.
Side Dishes
Pair these donuts with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a creamy latte to complement the sweet strawberry notes. For a brunch spread, fresh fruit salad or Greek yogurt with honey is a brilliant match, balancing the sweetness while adding refreshing brightness.
Creative Ways to Present
For entertaining, arrange the donuts on a rustic wooden board garnished with whole strawberries and mint leaves. Or stack them in a donut tower layered with whipped cream and berry compote for a stunning centerpiece. Even gifting them in a cute box lined with parchment paper wrapped in twine will make your strawberry glazed donuts feel like a heartfelt homemade treasure.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any of these lovely strawberry glazed donuts left, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain their softness and the glaze’s freshness. Refrigeration is not recommended as it can dry them out.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted donuts by wrapping each tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a sealed freezer bag for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature and then apply the fresh strawberry glaze just before serving to keep that vibrant flavor intact.
Reheating
To reheat, warm your donuts gently in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in an oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. Avoid overheating so you preserve that soft texture and keep the glaze glossy and perfect.
FAQs
Can I substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream in this recipe?
Absolutely! Greek yogurt works wonderfully in place of sour cream, offering similar moisture and tang that enrich the donut’s flavor and texture without altering the baking process.
Do I need a special donut pan to make this recipe?
While a donut pan shapes the donuts perfectly, you could adapt the recipe using a muffin pan and then cutting out a hole post-baking; however, the traditional donut pan is recommended for the best shape and bake.
How ripe should the strawberries be for the glaze?
Choose ripe, juicy strawberries for the glaze because they bring natural sweetness and vibrant color that make the strawberry glazed donuts truly shine. Under-ripe berries can make the glaze tart and less flavorful.
Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
To make gluten-free versions, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. The texture might vary slightly but will still be delicious.
What if my glaze is too runny or too thick?
If your glaze is too runny, add a little more powdered sugar to thicken it up. Conversely, if it’s too thick, add a teaspoon of milk at a time until you reach a nice dipping consistency that clings beautifully to the donuts.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Glazed Donuts Recipe is a true joy to make and share, bursting with fresh, delightful flavors and a soft, tender texture you won’t forget. Whether it’s a weekend treat or a special occasion, these donuts bring happiness bite after bite. I can’t wait for you to whip up a batch and experience just how magical homemade donuts can be!
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Strawberry Glazed Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Strawberry Glazed Donuts are soft, fluffy, and perfectly baked with a luscious homemade strawberry glaze on top. Made with simple ingredients like flour, eggs, sour cream, and fresh strawberries, this recipe delivers a delightful treat that’s ideal for breakfast or snack time. The donuts are baked, not fried, making them a lighter option while still being irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- Pinch of Nutmeg
- 2/3 cup White granulated sugar
- 2 cups Powdered sugar (for glaze)
Wet Ingredients
- 2 Large eggs (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup Milk (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup Sour cream (room temperature or Greek yogurt)
- 4 TBSP Unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 1 TBSP Milk (for glaze)
Fruit
- 1/2 cup Strawberries (washed and quartered)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray two donut pans thoroughly with baking non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg. Set this mixture aside.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the white granulated sugar, eggs, milk, sour cream, melted and cooled butter, and pure vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
- Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
- Pipe batter into pans: Transfer the batter into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped. Pipe the batter evenly into the prepared donut pans, filling each mold about two-thirds full.
- Bake the donuts: Bake the donuts in the preheated oven for 10-13 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Prepare strawberry glaze: Place the quartered strawberries in a food processor and blend until smooth to create a puree. Pour this puree into a small bowl.
- Mix initial glaze: Add half of the powdered sugar to the strawberry puree and mix thoroughly until fully combined.
- Adjust glaze consistency: Add the remaining powdered sugar to the mixture and stir. The glaze should be quite thick at this point. Gradually add the tablespoon of milk and mix until the glaze is thin enough to coat the donuts evenly but thick enough to cling without dripping off. If too thin, add additional powdered sugar to thicken.
- Glaze the donuts: Dip the cooled donuts individually into the strawberry glaze, ensuring an even coat. Place the glazed donuts back on the cooling rack to let the glaze set and dry.
Notes
- For best results, make sure eggs, milk, and sour cream are at room temperature before mixing to create a smooth batter.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a ziplock bag with one corner cut off to pipe the batter.
- Donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- To make the glaze thicker, add more powdered sugar; for a thinner glaze, add more milk incrementally.
- If fresh strawberries are not available, you can use frozen strawberries thawed and drained before blending.
