I love creating this easy cake doughnut recipe that requires simple ingredients such as all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, whole milk and egg combined with melted butter and vanilla extract. Prepared in a donut pan, it is a blank canvas that invites endless creative twists for glazes and toppings.

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I recently stumbled upon this baked cake donuts recipe that totally changed my morning routine. I used a standard donut pan and couldn’t believe how simple it was.

I mixed together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons of baking powder with a pinch of salt. Then I stirred in 1/2 cup whole milk, one large egg, 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

It really hit that perfect balance where the batter can be easily adjusted for different flavors later on. I’ve always been a fan of experimenting in the kitchen with homemade donut ideas and this recipe quickly became one of my favourites.

If you are looking to try out some easy cake doughnut recipes or play with glaze and topping ideas, you definitely wanna give this a go. Enjoy creating your own donut magic!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe for a few reasons. First, it’s super easy to follow and doesn’t require frying so i feel it’s a lot healthier and less messy than the usual donut recipes. Second, i like that it gives me a blank canvas to get creative with different glazes and toppings, so every time i make it it can taste a bit different. Also, it’s a quick recipe that wakes me up on slow mornings, even when i don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Lastly, i appreciate that it’s made with simple ingredients that i probably already have at home, which makes it stress-free when i want a sweet treat.

Ingredients

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This all-purpose flour is the backbone of our donuts.
It provides essential carbohydrates and a bit of fiber to help give structure.
The granulated sugar not only sweetens the recipe but also provides quick energy via carbs.
It makes the treat delicious.
Baking powder is what makes your donuts airy.
It chemically reacts to give a fluffy rise during baking.
Whole milk adds moisture and a dose of protein and calcium that help to tenderize the cake donuts while boosting flavor.
Unsalted butter enriches the donuts with a smooth, creamy texture and fat.
Its flavor truly deepens the overall taste.

Ingredient Quantities

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup whole milk

1 large egg

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Nonstick spray (to grease your donut pan)

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly spray your donut pan with nonstick spray so the donuts won’t stick.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

3. In another bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup whole milk, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until they are well combined.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently just until combined; be careful not to overmix the batter.

5. Spoon the batter into your prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full so they have room to puff a bit.

6. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the donuts start to look lightly golden at the edges.

7. Check if they are done by inserting a toothpick into one of the donuts – if it comes out mostly clean, they are ready.

8. Remove the pan from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before turning them out onto a cooling rack.

9. Once they are cool enough to handle, feel free to decorate or glaze them with your favorite toppings.

10. Enjoy your freshly baked cake donuts warm or at room temperature!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (preheat to 350°F)
2. Donut pan (lightly spray with nonstick spray)
3. Medium mixing bowl for the dry ingredients
4. A second bowl to whisk together the wet ingredients
5. Whisk for mixing the wet ingredients well
6. Measuring cups and measuring spoons to keep ingredients accurate
7. Spatula or spoon for gently stirring the batter
8. Toothpick for checking if the donuts are done
9. Cooling rack to let the donuts cool after baking

FAQ

Q: How long does it take for these baked cake donuts to cook?
A: They usually take around 10 to 12 minutes, but keep an eye on them cause every oven is different.

Q: Can I use a muffin tin if I don't have a donut pan?
A: Yeah, you can. The shape might be a bit different, but they still come out tasty.

Q: What should I do if my donuts turn out a little dry?
A: If they seem dry, try reducing the bake time slightly. Overbaking is a common issue, so watch them close and be ready to take them out early.

Q: Is it OK to substitute whole milk with another type of milk?
A: Sure, you can use 2% milk or even almond milk though the flavor and texture might change a bit.

Q: What is the best way to check if the donuts are done baking?
A: Insert a toothpick into one of the donuts; if it comes out mostly clean or with a few moist crumbs, it's ready to enjoy.

How To Make Baked Cake Donuts From Scratch Recipe Substitutions and Variations

You can try substituting all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but note you might need a bit more liquid since whole wheat tends to absorb more moisture.
If you dont have granulated sugar, you could use raw honey instead. Use about 1/2 to 2/3 cup honey and slightly lower the milk to keep the balance right.
You can swap baking powder for a combination of 1/2 teaspoon baking soda plus 1 teaspoon cream of tartar if you cant get baking powder.
If whole milk is unavailable, almond milk or soy milk are good alternatives. Keep in mind that they might change the flavor a little bit.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your milk and egg are at room temperature before you start mixing. If they’re too cold, your batter might not combine well and your donuts could get a different texture.

2. Be careful not to overmix your batter. It only needs a few stirs until everything is just combined so that you end up with light and fluffy donuts instead of tough ones.

3. Even if your donut pan instructions say to fill the cavities up to 3/4 full, try filling just a tiny bit less so they don’t overflow in the oven. This little tweak helps keep them nice and neat and easier to take out.

4. Ovens can be weird sometimes so it might be worth checking the temperature with an oven thermometer. This way you make sure you’re baking at the right temp and your donuts get baked evenly without getting too brown on top.

How To Make Baked Cake Donuts From Scratch Recipe

Recipe by Bob Jones

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

265

kcal

Equipment: 1. Oven (preheat to 350°F)
2. Donut pan (lightly spray with nonstick spray)
3. Medium mixing bowl for the dry ingredients
4. A second bowl to whisk together the wet ingredients
5. Whisk for mixing the wet ingredients well
6. Measuring cups and measuring spoons to keep ingredients accurate
7. Spatula or spoon for gently stirring the batter
8. Toothpick for checking if the donuts are done
9. Cooling rack to let the donuts cool after baking

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole milk
1 large egg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nonstick spray (to grease your donut pan)

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly spray your donut pan with nonstick spray so the donuts won't stick.
In a medium bowl, mix together 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
In another bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup whole milk, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until they are well combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently just until combined; be careful not to overmix the batter.
Spoon the batter into your prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full so they have room to puff a bit.
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the donuts start to look lightly golden at the edges.
Check if they are done by inserting a toothpick into one of the donuts – if it comes out mostly clean, they are ready.
Remove the pan from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before turning them out onto a cooling rack.
Once they are cool enough to handle, feel free to decorate or glaze them with your favorite toppings.
Enjoy your freshly baked cake donuts warm or at room temperature!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.