Description
Lemon Sugar Baked Donuts bring sunshine right to your breakfast table with a zesty twist that wakes up your morning. Baked to golden perfection and dusted with sparkling sugar, these donuts deliver pure citrus happiness in one delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
- ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
Leavening Agents:
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to precisely 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat your donut pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Grab a medium mixing bowl and combine 1 ½ cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, and ¼ tsp salt. Whisk these dry ingredients until thoroughly blended.
- In a separate bowl, crack 2 large eggs and add ½ cup buttermilk, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture looks smooth and fully incorporated.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold them together with a spatula, stopping as soon as the batter looks just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
- Transfer the batter into your donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full. Use a spoon or piping bag for neat, even distribution.
- Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 12-15 minutes. The donuts are ready when they spring back lightly when touched and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- While donuts bake, mix ½ cup sugar with 1 tbsp lemon zest in a shallow dish. Rub the zest into the sugar to release the citrusy oils and create a fragrant coating.
- Remove donuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Optional: Brush each donut with melted butter before rolling in the lemon sugar mixture.
Notes
- Check donut pan cavities carefully to ensure even coating and smooth release of donuts after baking.
- Use fresh, high-quality lemons for maximum zesty flavor and bright citrus notes in both batter and sugar coating.
- When mixing batter, stop stirring the moment dry and wet ingredients are just combined to keep donuts tender and prevent tough texture.
- For gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend and add an extra tablespoon of buttermilk to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Donuts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 234 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 142 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg