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a pile of Vegan Baked Vanilla Donuts

Vegan Baked Vanilla Donuts Recipe

Mandy Applegate
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!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 10 doughnuts
Calories 128 kcal

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
Keyword Vegan baked vanilla donut
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