Vegan Baked Vanilla Donuts Recipe
Forget the greasy takeout! Imagine warm, cakey donuts fresh from your oven, bursting with vanilla flavor. These Vegan Baked Vanilla Donuts are surprisingly simple to make, and use ingredients you likely already have on hand. The best part? They ditch the deep fryer for a healthier treat.
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Why You’ll Love This Easy Vegan Baked Vanilla Donuts Recipe
- Ditch the deep fryer guilt: These Vegan Baked Vanilla Donuts satisfy your donut craving without the greasy mess.
- Vanilla lovers rejoice: Bursting with classic vanilla flavor, these donuts are perfect for anyone who craves a sweet, simple treat.
- Surprisingly easy baker: No complicated techniques here! This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers or busy schedules.
- Weekend brunch upgrade: Impress your friends and family with homemade donuts that are sure to be a conversation starter.
- Weekend Brunch Champion: Start your Saturday or Sunday with a sweet and satisfying treat that’s far more impressive (and tastier) than store-bought pastries.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Easy Vegan Baked Vanilla Donuts with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, applesauce, and vanilla extract.
Mix Batter, But Don’t Overmix!
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. Don’t overmix!
Fill and Bake the Donuts
Spray your donut mold with non-stick spray and fill each cavity about ¾ full with batter.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Whip Up the Vanilla Icing
While the donuts bake, prepare the icing. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and food coloring (if using). Add a little milk or water if the icing is too thick.
Cool and Ice the Donuts
Let the donuts cool for about 15 minutes before dipping them in the icing. Then, dip each donut in the icing, letting any excess drip off.
Enjoy your delicious Vegan Baked Vanilla Donuts!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
- Sugar Swap: Want a richer flavor? Use a brown sugar blend instead of all pure cane sugar. The brown sugar adds a hint of molasses for a deeper taste.
- Applesauce Out? No problem! Substitute mashed banana (⅓ cup) for a slightly different twist. The banana adds a touch of natural sweetness and keeps the donuts moist.
- Milk Matters: Any non-dairy milk will work here! Choose your favorite – almond, oat, soy – they all add delicious creaminess.
- Don’t Overmix: This is key to achieving fluffy donuts. A few lumps are perfectly fine! Overmixing activates the gluten in the flour, making your donuts tough.
- Too Thick? If your batter seems too thick after whisking the wet and dry ingredients together, simply add a tablespoon or two of extra non-dairy milk until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Easy Release: Lightly greasing your donut mold with a neutral oil spray helps ensure the donuts pop out easily after baking.
- Mess-Free Filling (Optional): Want perfectly round donuts with minimal mess? Fill a piping bag with the batter and pipe it into the molds. This gives you more control and avoids overflow.
- Patience is Key: Let the donuts cool completely before icing them. This prevents the icing from melting and running off.
- Consistency is King: For thicker icing, use less milk or water. For a thinner, drippier icing, add a bit more. The ideal consistency allows for easy dipping and coating without being too runny.
- Get Creative! Don’t stop at vanilla icing! This recipe is a fantastic base for experimenting with different flavors. Add a touch of cocoa powder for chocolate, a pinch of espresso powder for a mocha twist, or a splash of fruit puree for a burst of berry flavor.
How to Store Baked Vanilla Donuts
Let’s be honest, these donuts are so good, leftovers might be a foreign concept. But just in case you manage to resist gobbling them all up in one go (seriously, impressive!), here’s how to store them for maximum freshness:
- Airtight is Key: To keep your donuts moist and delicious, store them in an airtight container. This prevents them from drying out or absorbing unwanted flavors from your pantry.
- Room Temperature Reigns Supreme: Skip the fridge! Refrigeration can actually dry out these donuts. Store them at room temperature for up to 2 days for the best texture and flavor.
- The Zapping Technique: If your donuts seem a little dry after a day or two, a quick zap in the microwave can help revive them. Pop a single donut in the microwave for 5-10 seconds on low power. Be careful not to overdo it, or you’ll end up with a warm, sad donut pancake.
- Spritz & Refresh: Another option is to lightly spritz your donuts with a bit of non-dairy milk before enjoying them. This adds a touch of moisture and brings them back to life.
What to Serve With Baked Vanilla Donuts
No brunch is complete without a cup of joe. Pair your donuts with a frothy vegan latte or cappuccino for a caffeine kick.
Balance the donuts’ sweetness with a savory vegan breakfast scramble. Use tofu scramble, tempeh crumbles, or chopped vegetables for a protein-packed start to your day.
Layer your donuts with creamy vegan yogurt, granola, and fresh berries for a layered and satisfying treat that’s perfect for a light breakfast or afternoon snack.
More Easy Vegan Recipes for You to Try at Home
Have the sight of donuts given you an appetite to make more? Take a look at these easy recipes;
- Frozen Yogurt Berry Cups
- Chocolate Donuts
- Peanut Butter Bliss Balls
- Overnight Vanilla Oats
- Baked Oatmeal with Apples and Pecans
Vegan Baked Vanilla Donuts Recipe
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these easy Vegan Baked Vanilla Donuts! Fluffy, delicious, and free of dairy & eggs, this recipe is perfect for weekend brunches, afternoon pick-me-ups, or anytime you crave a guilt-free treat. Try them with our vegan icing and creative topping suggestions!
Ingredients
For the batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup pure cane sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons apple sauce unsweetened
- ½ cup non-dairy milk
- 1 tablespoon butter vegan
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the topping:
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 ½ tablespoons butter vegan
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon food coloring optional
Instructions
For the Batter
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup pure cane sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Add the milk, melted butter, apple sauce, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Whisk until smooth.2 tablespoons apple sauce, ½ cup non-dairy milk, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Spray the doughnut mold with non-stick spray. Divide the batter into the doughnut mold, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
For the Topping
- While the doughnuts are baking, prepare the icing. Melt the butter in the microwave until completely melted.2 ½ tablespoons butter
- In a small to medium-sized bowl, mix the confectioners’ sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and food coloring. Whisk until well combined. You can add a little bit of water or milk, if you feel like your icing is not liquid enough.1 cup confectioners’ sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon food coloring
- Once the doughnuts are finished baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool for approximately 15 minutes.
- Dip each donut in the icing and let the excess drip off.
- Serve and enjoy your Vegan Baked Vanilla Doughnuts!
Notes
- ugar Swap: Want a richer flavor? Use a brown sugar blend instead of all pure cane sugar. The brown sugar adds a hint of molasses for a deeper taste.
- Applesauce Out? No problem! Substitute mashed banana (⅓ cup) for a slightly different twist. The banana adds a touch of natural sweetness and keeps the donuts moist.
- Milk Matters: Any non-dairy milk will work here! Choose your favorite – almond, oat, soy – they all add delicious creaminess.
- Don’t Overmix: This is key to achieving fluffy donuts. A few lumps are perfectly fine! Overmixing activates the gluten in the flour, making your donuts tough.
- Too Thick? If your batter seems too thick after whisking the wet and dry ingredients together, simply add a tablespoon or two of extra non-dairy milk until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Easy Release: Lightly greasing your donut mold with a neutral oil spray helps ensure the donuts pop out easily after baking.
- Mess-Free Filling (Optional): Want perfectly round donuts with minimal mess? Fill a piping bag with the batter and pipe it into the molds. This gives you more control and avoids overflow.
- Patience is Key: Let the donuts cool completely before icing them. This prevents the icing from melting and running off.
- Consistency is King: For thicker icing, use less milk or water. For a thinner, drippier icing, add a bit more. The ideal consistency allows for easy dipping and coating without being too runny.
- Get Creative! Don’t stop at vanilla icing! This recipe is a fantastic base for experimenting with different flavors. Add a touch of cocoa powder for chocolate, a pinch of espresso powder for a mocha twist, or a splash of fruit puree for a burst of berry flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 35mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 170IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 1mg
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