If you dream of springtime treats or need a burst of berry happiness any time of year, you’ll want to save this recipe for Strawberry Cake Donuts! Each bite is soft, sweet, and delightfully fruity, perfectly balancing tender vanilla cake with bits of real strawberry and a luscious pink glaze. They’re baked (not fried!), easy to whip together, and perfect for sharing with friends and family—or keeping all to yourself, because honestly, who could blame you?
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Strawberry Cake Donuts come together with a handful of simple kitchen staples plus a few extras that make them truly special. Each ingredient plays an essential role, from tenderizing the crumb to delivering that signature strawberry color and flavor. Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need:
- All-purpose flour: The base of the donuts, giving them a soft, cake-like texture that’s never dry or heavy.
- Granulated sugar: For just the right amount of sweetness to complement the berries and the glaze.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These work together to give your donuts their beautiful lift and fluffiness.
- Salt: Just a pinch, to balance every sweet, fruity bite.
- Fresh strawberries: Be sure to chop the berries finely—this is key for distributing flavor and preventing excess moisture in the batter.
- Whole milk: Adds richness and helps meld all the flavors together seamlessly.
- Plain Greek yogurt: Makes the crumb remarkably tender and adds a subtle tang, enhancing the berry flavor.
- Large egg: Binds the batter together and provides structure.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Lends richness and a mellow, buttery flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors and gives these donuts a classic dessert aroma.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): Ensures a smooth, glossy strawberry glaze.
- Strawberry puree (for glaze): Use fresh or frozen berries—this creates that gorgeous pink color and true strawberry flavor on top.
- Vanilla extract (for glaze): One last touch of warmth in your shiny drizzle.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Donuts
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures a quick, even bake as soon as the batter hits the pan. Lightly grease your donut pan so nothing sticks—trust me, you don’t want to battle stubborn donuts when that sweet, berry aroma fills your kitchen! Have all your ingredients measured and ready before you start mixing.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step disperses the leaveners and salt evenly, guaranteeing every donut puffs up beautifully and tastes just right.
Step 3: Fold in the Strawberries
Add your finely chopped fresh strawberries to the dry ingredients. Tossing the fruit in the flour mixture helps those luscious berry bits stay suspended in the batter, ensuring that every bite bursts with strawberry goodness instead of sinking to the bottom.
Step 4: Whisk Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole milk, Greek yogurt, large egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and silky. This blend adds amazing moisture, flavor, and a delicate crumb to your donuts.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Don’t overmix—the key to tender Strawberry Cake Donuts is a light hand. Once you see the ingredients come together and no dry patches remain, stop mixing.
Step 6: Fill the Pan and Bake
Carefully spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full. Pop them in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick comes out clean. Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Step 7: Prepare and Dip in Strawberry Glaze
To make the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh strawberry puree, and vanilla extract until perfectly smooth. Once your donuts are completely cool, dip the tops into the glaze—feel free to give them a little twist for that signature donut shop swirl. Set them aside to let the glaze firm up (if you can bear to wait!).
How to Serve Strawberry Cake Donuts
Garnishes
Sprinkle your freshly glazed Strawberry Cake Donuts with a dusting of freeze-dried strawberries, colorful nonpareils, or even a drizzle of white chocolate for that wow factor. For an extra-festive touch, garnish with thinly sliced fresh berries or edible rose petals—these donuts adore a little flourish.
Side Dishes
Pair your Strawberry Cake Donuts with a big mug of vanilla-scented coffee, a glass of cold milk, or even a bowl of lightly whipped cream and more fresh berries. The fruity-and-creamy combo feels like a real celebration, perfect for brunch spreads, birthday mornings, or a treat-yourself afternoon break.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving a crowd or hosting a party, stack Strawberry Cake Donuts on a cake stand with extra strawberries tucked in between, or thread mini-donuts onto wooden skewers for a playful dessert “bouquet.” For kids (or the young at heart), consider donut holes made from a mini pan—just adjust the baking time to about 7–9 minutes!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Strawberry Cake Donuts truly fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen runs warm or humid, consider refrigerating them and letting them come to room temp before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
If you want to savor them later, freeze unglazed donuts in a zip-top bag, separated by parchment to prevent sticking. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature, then dip in glaze just before serving for the freshest flavor and prettiest finish.
Reheating
To refresh your donuts, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds—just enough to revive their tender crumb. If they’re unglazed, you can also warm them in a low oven (about 300°F) for a few minutes before glazing.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just thaw the strawberries first, pat them very dry with paper towels, and chop them finely. This helps prevent extra moisture in the batter while still giving you that juicy berry flavor.
How can I make these Strawberry Cake Donuts gluten-free?
You can substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for the all-purpose flour. Don’t forget to double-check all other ingredient labels to make sure they’re gluten-free as well.
What if I don’t have a donut pan?
No worries! You can bake the batter in a muffin tin—just fill each cavity about halfway and adjust the baking time, checking for doneness around the 12-minute mark. You’ll end up with adorable strawberry donut “muffins.”
Can I make the strawberry glaze more vibrant?
Of course! For a deeper pink blush, add a touch of beet powder or your favorite natural food coloring to the glaze. This way, your donuts will look as amazing as they taste—and they’re always a showstopper for parties and bake sales.
Do Strawberry Cake Donuts taste better fresh or the next day?
While they’re especially tender and fragrant the day they’re baked, Strawberry Cake Donuts also hold up beautifully overnight! The glaze sets and the berry flavor seems to deepen, making them a delightful treat even on day two.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about homemade Strawberry Cake Donuts—soft, fruity, and crowned with that irresistible pink glaze. I hope you give them a try, share them with a friend, or simply indulge yourself with a batch fresh from your own oven. Happy baking, and let each bite bring you a sprinkle of berry-filled joy!
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Strawberry Cake Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These delicious Strawberry Cake Donuts are a delightful treat that combines the sweetness of strawberries with a moist, cake-like texture. Baked instead of fried, they are a healthier alternative to traditional donuts and perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons strawberry puree
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a donut pan.
- Prepare the batter: Mix dry ingredients, fold in strawberries. In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients. Mix wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
- Bake the donuts: Fill the donut pan cavities and bake for 12–15 minutes until set.
- Make the glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and vanilla.
- Glaze the donuts: Dip cooled donuts in glaze and let set.
Notes
- Chop strawberries small to prevent excess moisture in batter.
- For a deeper pink glaze, add beet powder or natural food coloring.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
