Baked Vegan Donuts

Indulgence meets fun with this incredible sprinkle-y creation – Baked Vegan Donuts. These donuts are full of flavor, have a light, fluffy texture and are topped with pretty pink strawberry icing. Quick, easy and come together in only 1 bowl. Let's learn how to make them!

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Baked donuts can sometimes get a bad rap. If they aren't deep fried, people don't want to waste their time with them. These donuts will change any hater's mind and give them a new way to enjoy Dessert for Breakfast!

This recipe will leave you with 12 soft, fluffy donuts smothered in a nostalgic pink icing and topped with multicolored sprinkles. All of this with absolutely no greasy residue!

If you want more baked donut recipes be sure to check out our Vegan Apple Cider Donuts.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: This forms the base of the donut batter, providing structure and volume when baked.
• Sugar (both granulated and brown): Adds sweetness to the donuts, enhancing their flavor. The combination of granulated and brown sugar provides a depth of flavor and moisture.
• Baking powder: Acts as a leavening agent, causing the donuts to rise and become light and fluffy during baking.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor of the other ingredients and balances out the sweetness.
• Nutmeg: Gives the donuts their signature "donut-y" flavor. Trust us!
• Nondairy milk: Provides moisture to the batter, helping to bind the ingredients together and create a tender crumb.
• Nondairy yogurt: Adds moisture and richness to the batter while also contributing to the tender texture of the donuts.
• Canola oil: Adds moisture to the batter and helps create a tender crumb. It also contributes to the richness of the donuts.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the donuts, adding a hint of sweetness and depth.

Pink Strawberry Icing Ingredients

• Vegan butter: Forms the base of the glaze, providing richness and flavor.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the glaze and helps it thicken to the desired consistency.
• Strawberry powder: Adds natural strawberry flavor and color to the glaze, giving it a fruity taste.
• Nondairy milk: Helps thin out the glaze to the desired consistency and adds moisture.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the glaze, adding a hint of sweetness and depth.
• Vegan sprinkles: Used to top the donuts, adding a decorative touch and extra sweetness.

How to Make Baked Vegan Donuts (step by step with pictures)

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full instructions and ingredient measurements.

Begin by whisking together all of the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until a thick batter comes together. Do not over-mix!

Transfer the batter to a plastic piping bag. Cut about a 1 inch opening at the tip. Pipe the dough into a lightly-greased donut pan. You want each mold to be about ¾ of the way full.

Bake donuts on the center rack of an oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees F (175 C) for 12 minutes. Allow donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the icing while the donuts cool. Add all icing ingredients to a medium mixing bowl and whisk until completely smooth. You can add a touch more nondairy milk if the mixture is too thick.

Place a baked donut face-down in the icing. Gently twist the donut with your hand to coat. Lift the donut out of the bowl and return it to the cooling rack. The icing will begin to level out. Immediately top with sprinkles.

Place decorated donuts in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set the icing.

How to Make Vegan Donuts Taste Like Regular Donuts

Creating baked vegan donuts that taste like regular donuts involves understanding the key flavors and textures associated with traditional donuts and finding vegan-friendly substitutes to replicate them. Here are some tips:

1. Use Flavor Enhancers: Ingredients like vanilla extract, almond extract, or even a hint of lemon zest can enhance the flavor of your vegan donuts, mimicking the depth of flavor found in traditional recipes. Nutmeg is an important one!
2. Moisture and Texture: Adding ingredients like nondairy yogurt, applesauce, or mashed bananas to your batter can provide moisture and help create a tender crumb, similar to traditional donuts.
3. Leavening Agents: Baking powder is commonly used in vegan baking to help donuts rise and achieve a light, fluffy texture. Make sure not to over-mix the batter to avoid a dense texture.
4. Sweeteners: Use a combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar to add sweetness and depth of flavor to your vegan donuts, just like in traditional recipes.
5. Glazing and Toppings: A delicious glaze can elevate the flavor of your vegan donuts. Opt for a classic powdered sugar glaze, chocolate glaze, or a fruity glaze like strawberry or raspberry. You can also use traditional toppings like sprinkles, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut to add texture and visual appeal.
6. Donut Shape: Whether baked in a donut pan or formed by hand, ensuring your vegan donuts have the classic donut shape can contribute to the overall experience and make them feel more authentic.

By paying attention to these elements and experimenting with different ingredients and flavor combinations, you can create vegan donuts that closely resemble the taste and texture of traditional donuts.

Tips for Making Baked Vegan Donuts

Making baked and/or vegan donuts isn't rocket science. In fact, it's a pretty simple process! Here are some additional tips to help with troubleshooting.

1. Use High-Quality Ingredients: Opt for quality vegan ingredients, including plant-based milk, non-dairy yogurt, and vegan butter. High-quality ingredients contribute to better taste and texture.
2. Use a Donut Pan: This recipe should not be attempted free-hand. These donuts come out best when baked in the appropriate molds.
3. Prepare Your Pan: Grease your donut pan lightly, even if it's non-stick, to prevent sticking. You can use a light coating of oil or vegan cooking spray.
4. Proper Mixing: Mix the batter until just combined. Over-mixing can lead to dense and tough donuts.
5. Avoid Overfilling: When filling the donut wells, be cautious not to overfill. Leaving a little space allows the donuts to expand while baking without overflowing.
6. Piping Bag: Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off to neatly fill the donut wells. This helps create smoother, more evenly shaped donuts.
7. Icing and Toppings: Wait until the donuts have cooled before applying icing or toppings. This ensures that the icing sets properly and any decorations adhere well. Chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes afterward to set icing and sprinkles.

Baked Donut Recipe Variations

Pink and sprinkles not your favorite? Here are some Censored Baker-approved baked donut recipe variations:

1. Chocolate Glazed Donuts: Eliminate the pink icing and make chocolate glaze instead. Melt vegan chocolate chips with a bit of coconut oil or vegan butter until smooth, then dip the cooled donuts into the melted chocolate. Optionally, sprinkle with chopped nuts or shredded coconut before the chocolate sets.
2. Maple Pecan Donuts: Add 1 teaspoon of maple extract to the wet ingredients for the donut batter. For the glaze, mix powdered sugar with a bit of maple syrup and nondairy milk until smooth. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze, then sprinkle with chopped pecans before the glaze sets.
3. Lemon Poppy Seed Donuts: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds to the dry ingredients for the donut batter. For the glaze, mix powdered sugar with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a bit of nondairy milk until smooth. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze, then sprinkle with additional lemon zest and poppy seeds.
4. Cinnamon Sugar Donuts: After baking, brush the cooled donuts with melted vegan butter, then dip them into a mixture of cinnamon and sugar to coat.
5. Pumpkin Spice Donuts: Replace the nondairy yogurt with ½ cup of pumpkin puree and add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the donut batter for a cozy fall flavor. For the glaze, mix powdered sugar with a bit of pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and nondairy milk until smooth. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze, then sprinkle with additional pumpkin pie spice.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavors, glazes, and toppings to customize your vegan baked donuts to your liking!

Frequently Asked Questions

Storing Baked Vegan Donuts

Storing frosted, baked vegan donuts requires a bit of care to ensure they maintain their freshness. Before storing, make sure the frosting is completely set.

Place the frosted donuts in an airtight container. Store donuts at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.

If you need to store the frosted donuts for a slightly longer period, you can place them in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Keep in mind that refrigeration can affect the texture of the donuts and may cause the frosting to become less glossy.

Unfrosted donuts can be frozen for up to 1 month.

If you make this recipe please tag @censoredbaker on Instagram and leave a review below!

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