Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe || Easy Make

Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe is my go-to treat from My Baking Addiction. I’ve made this Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe countless times, and each batch turns out soft, moist, and absolutely delicious.

The rich vanilla bean flavor in every bite makes it a favorite in my kitchen. I’ve baked it both in classic bakery style and with a few personal tweaks, like adjusting the sweetness or changing the sprinkles.

Friends and family always ask for more. Today, I’m showing up to share exactly how I make this Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe step-by-step so you can enjoy it too.

Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe

This Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe is a soft, fluffy, baked treat full of rich vanilla flavor. Made with simple ingredients like buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla bean paste, the doughnuts come out moist and tender every time.

Baked instead of fried, they’re lighter but still incredibly satisfying. Once cooled, they’re dipped in a smooth vanilla glaze made with powdered sugar, cream, and a pinch of salt, then topped with colorful rainbow sprinkles for a fun finish.

Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or saved for later, these Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe are always a hit. A bakery-style favorite you can make at home.

How To Prepare Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe?

Recipe Overview

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Course: Dessert
• Difficulty: Medium
• Cuisine: American
• Calories: Approximately 350 calories per doughnut (varies depending on size and icing)
• Yield: 15 doughnuts (depending on size)

Kitchen Utensils

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Doughnut pan or baking tray (if frying, a deep fryer or large pot)
• Cooling rack
• Small bowl (for icing)
• Spoon or spatula

Ingredients

For the doughnuts:

• ¾ cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

For the icing:

• 3 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• ½ cup rainbow sprinkles (for decorating)

How to Make Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) if you’re baking. If you’re frying, heat your oil to the same temperature. Lightly grease your doughnut pan to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, lightly beaten eggs, and melted butter until smooth and well blended.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.

Step 4: Add Flavor

Mix in the vanilla bean paste, being careful not to overmix. This helps keep the doughnuts soft and tender.

Step 5: Bake or Fry

Spoon the batter into the doughnut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. If frying, carefully drop spoonful of batter into hot oil and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Step 6: Make the Icing

In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream (or milk), vanilla extract, and a tiny pinch of salt until smooth. The icing should be thick but still pourable.

Step 7: Decorate

Once the doughnuts have cooled slightly, dip the tops into the icing and sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles right away. Place them on a wire rack and let the icing set before serving.

Note

You can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice, left to sit for 5 minutes.

For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients. Store doughnuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days; icing is best fresh.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe because it’s incredibly easy to make and delivers that classic doughnut shop taste right from your own kitchen.

The texture is soft, fluffy, and moist thanks to the buttermilk, while the vanilla bean paste adds a deep, rich flavor you can actually taste.

The simple vanilla glaze hardens just right for that perfect bite, and the colorful sprinkles make them as fun to look at as they are to eat.

No frying needed if you’re baking less mess, more joy. These Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe are homemade comfort food at its absolute best.

Serving Suggestions

For a delightful treat, serve your Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe with a warm cup of coffee or chai tea to complement their rich flavors.

Enhance the experience by glazing them with a simple vanilla or chocolate icing and adding colorful sprinkles for a fun touch. For a refreshing contrast, pair them with fresh berries or a berry compote.

You can also create a mini donut bar, offering toppings like crushed nuts, coconut flakes, or flavored creams, allowing everyone to customize their own.

Whether enjoyed at brunch or as an afternoon snack, these serving suggestions will make your vanilla cake doughnut recipe truly memorable!

Tips And Variations

✔ Glazed Doughnuts: To make a quick glaze, mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk and a splash of vanilla. Dip the cooled doughnuts into the glaze for a delightful finish.

✔ Chocolate Lovers: Add 1/2 cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolate twist. You can also dip the doughnuts in chocolate glaze.

✔ Spiced Version: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced flavor.

Expert Tips And Tricks

1. Let your eggs, buttermilk, and butter sit out for 20–30 minutes before mixing. This helps the batter come together smoothly and creates a better texture.

2. Gently fold the wet and dry ingredients together until just combined. Overmixing can make the doughnuts dense instead of soft and fluffy.

3. For clean, even doughnut shapes, transfer the batter into a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off and pipe into the doughnut pan.

4. Check your doughnuts at the 10-minute mark. They should be lightly golden and spring back when touched. Overbaking dries them out.

5. Let the doughnuts cool for 5 minutes, then glaze them while still slightly warm so the icing sets smoothly and evenly without sliding off.

Why Do Cake Donuts Taste Different?

Cake donuts taste different from traditional yeast donuts due to their unique ingredients and preparation method.

While yeast donuts rely on fermentation for their light and airy texture, cake donuts are made with a batter that includes baking powder or baking soda, which creates a denser, cake-like consistency.

This gives them a crumbly texture and rich flavor, often enhanced with ingredients like vanilla, nutmeg, or cinnamon.

Why Are Cake Donuts So Good?

As for why cake donuts are so good, it often comes down to their moistness and the variety of flavors you can achieve.

They have a comforting, satisfying quality and pair wonderfully with glazes, frostings, or toppings like sprinkles and nuts.

Their versatility means you can enjoy them plain or with creative flavor combinations, making them a beloved treat for many.

Plus, they’re easy to make at home, allowing for that fresh, warm experience that’s hard to resist!

Conclusion

I made this Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe using a simple and easy process that anyone can follow at home. From mixing the ingredients to baking and decorating, every step was smooth and enjoyable.

I’m sharing my process because it brought me great results and made baking feel fun and stress-free. When I saw the finished Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe, I knew I had to let others try it too.

I hope you enjoy making them as much as I did and find success just as easily.

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