Fluffy Baked Cake Donut Recipe Using a Donut Pan

Craving a baked cake donut that melts in your mouth? Forget greasy, deep-fried options and welcome a healthier twist on a classic treat.

Soft, tender, and perfectly sweetened, these donuts promise pure satisfaction without the guilt.

Baking donuts at home means controlling every delectable detail from texture to flavor.

Donut pans make the process surprisingly simple, transforming your kitchen into a delightful bakery.

Homemade donuts offer an irresistible way to brighten any morning or afternoon snack time.

Prepare to experience bakery-quality goodness straight from your own oven – pure breakfast magic awaits!

What Sets Baked Cake Donut With Donut Pan Apart

• Simple Ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find components means grabbing everything from your regular pantry shelves without a complicated shopping trip.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: The straightforward mixing and piping technique makes these donuts perfect for anyone starting to explore homemade baked treats, even if baking feels intimidating.
• Healthier Treat Option: Baking instead of frying cuts down on extra grease, giving you a lighter breakfast or snack that still feels like a delicious indulgence.
• Quick Weekend Breakfast: These donuts come together faster than heading to a bakery, letting your family enjoy warm, fresh pastries without a long morning wait.

Full Ingredient List for Baked Cake Donuts

• All-Purpose Flour (1½ cups): The sturdy base that gives your donuts their perfect cake-like texture.
• Granulated Sugar (½ cup): Adds just the right amount of sweetness to make these donuts delicious.
• Baking Powder (1½ teaspoons): Helps your donuts rise and become wonderfully light.
• Baking Soda (½ teaspoon): Works with the other leavening agents to create a tender crumb.
• Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Brings a warm, cozy spice that makes these donuts irresistible.

• Buttermilk (½ cup), Milk (½ cup), Vinegar (½ tablespoon): Creates a tangy, tender base that keeps the donuts moist.
• Unsalted Butter (¼ cup), Vegetable Oil (2 tablespoons): Provides richness and ensures a soft texture.
• Large Eggs (2): Bind the ingredients together and add structure to the donuts.
• Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a deep, aromatic flavor that complements the cinnamon.

• Melted Butter (¼ cup), Granulated Sugar (½ cup), Ground Cinnamon (1 tablespoon): The perfect sweet and spicy finish that takes these donuts to the next level.

Handy Kitchen Tools for Baked Cake Donuts

• 6-Cup Donut Pan: A non-stick metal pan with six circular molds that give your donuts their classic ring shape and help them bake evenly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: A spacious bowl where you’ll combine your dry ingredients and create the donut base.
• Separate Medium Bowl: Perfect for whisking together your wet ingredients until smooth and well-blended.
• Whisk: Essential tool for thoroughly mixing dry ingredients and creating smooth liquid mixtures without lumps.
• Piping Bag or Zip-Top Bag: Helps you neatly transfer batter into donut pan cavities with precision and minimal mess.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows air circulation around your freshly baked donuts, preventing soggy bottoms and helping them cool quickly.
• Toothpick: A simple way to check donuts for complete baking by testing the center for moist crumbs.
• Pastry Brush: Great for evenly spreading melted butter on warm donuts before coating in cinnamon sugar.
• Small Bowl: Useful for mixing cinnamon sugar coating for rolling your finished donuts.

How to Make Baked Cake Donuts Using a Donut Pan

What Are the Best Tips for Baked Cake Donuts With Donut Pan

• Cut the corner of your bag slightly wide to easily fill donut molds without messy drips.
• Stir wet and dry ingredients just until combined, stopping when no flour streaks remain to keep donuts tender.
• Use a zip-top bag with a snipped corner to pipe batter evenly, making sure each mold gets the same amount.
• Test donuts with a toothpick – when it comes out clean, they’re perfectly baked and ready to cool.
• Brush warm donuts with melted butter right after baking to help cinnamon sugar stick better and create a delicious crispy exterior.

What Are Baked Cake Donut Variations

• Gluten-Free Donuts: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend, keeping the same measurement for a celiac-friendly treat that tastes just like the original.
• Chocolate Chip Surprise: Fold ½ cup mini chocolate chips into the batter before piping for a sweet chocolate burst in every bite.
• Vegan Cake Donuts: Swap eggs with ¼ cup applesauce, use plant-based milk, and replace butter with coconut oil to create a dairy-free, egg-free version that’s totally plant-powered.
• Maple Pecan Variation: Swap cinnamon sugar coating with a maple glaze and sprinkle chopped pecans on top for a nutty, rich flavor profile.

Classic Serving Ideas For Baked Cake Donuts

• Serve Warm and Fresh: Pull these donuts straight from the oven and watch how fast they disappear from the plate. The warm, tender texture is best enjoyed within an hour of baking.
• Perfect Breakfast Companion: Pair these cinnamon donuts with a strong cup of coffee or hot tea. The spicy warmth of the donut matches beautifully with a bold morning brew.
• Quick Dessert Option: Transform these donuts into a simple dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The contrast between warm donut and cold ice cream creates a delightful treat.
• Kid-Friendly Snack: Cut donuts into bite-sized pieces for little hands. Kids will love the sweet cinnamon coating and soft texture of these homemade treats.

Smart Storage Tips For Baked Cake Donuts

• Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, so your fresh treats stay soft and delicious without losing texture.
• Refrigerate donuts in a sealed container for up to 5 days, but bring them to room temperature before serving to restore their tender crumb.
• Freeze plain, unglazed donuts wrapped individually in plastic wrap for up to 3 weeks, then thaw at room temperature when your sweet tooth calls.
• Cool donuts completely on a wire rack before storing to prevent condensation that could make your beautiful pastries soggy.

Baked Cake Donut With Donut Pan Popular Questions

Baked Cake Donut Recipe With Donut Pan

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 20-22 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts emerge straight from your home oven, delivering bakery-style deliciousness without complicated techniques. Crisp exterior and tender crumb make these simple treats perfect for weekend breakfast or sweet afternoon snack.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup buttermilk
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

Supporting Ingredients:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Coating Ingredients:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm your oven to exactly 350°F and generously coat your donut pan with non-stick spray.
2. Combine 1½ cups flour, ½ cup sugar, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
3. Whisk ½ cup buttermilk, ¼ cup melted butter, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a separate container until completely smooth.
4. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing the batter.
5. Transfer batter into a piping bag or zip-top bag with a corner snipped off.
6. Carefully pipe batter into donut pan molds, filling each cavity approximately ¾ full.
7. Slide pan into preheated 350°F oven and bake precisely 10-12 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Allow donuts to rest in pan for 5 minutes after removing from oven.
9. Brush each donut with ¼ cup melted butter, then roll in a mixture of ½ cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon.
10. Place donuts on a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

• Avoid overmixing the batter to keep donuts tender and prevent a tough texture.
• Use a piping bag or zip-top bag with a corner snipped off for neat, even donut filling.
• Check donuts early and remove from oven when a toothpick comes out clean to prevent dryness.
• For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Donuts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg