Baking has always been my happy place, and the Vanilla Cake Doughnut recipe quickly became a family favorite. One quiet Sunday morning, I decided to try something new.
The sweet aroma of vanilla bean and butter filled my kitchen as I mixed the batter, my heart full of excitement. As they baked to golden perfection, my kids peeked into the oven, eagerly waiting.
Dipping the warm doughnuts into silky vanilla glaze and adding colorful sprinkles turned into a joyful family ritual. That day, I didn’t just make doughnuts I made memories.
Now, every bite of those fluffy, sweet treats takes me back to that cozy morning, surrounded by laughter, love, and the magic of homemade baking..
Get ready to savor a bite of happiness with every doughnut, and let’s dive into the wonderful world of baking!
How To Prepare Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe?
Recipe Overview
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Course: Dessert
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: American
- Calories: Approximately 350 calories per doughnut (varies depending on size and icing)
- Yield: 115 doughnuts (depending on size)
Kitchen Utensils
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Whisk
- Doughnut pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cooling rack
- Small saucepan (for icing)
- Spoon or small spatula (for spreading icing)
Ingredients
For the doughnuts:
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/4 cups butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
For the icing:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkles (optional)
How to Make Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your doughnut pan with cooking spray or butter.
2. Prepare the Doughnut Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a separate bowl, use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla bean paste.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients (flour mixture) to the wet ingredients (butter-sugar mixture), alternating with the whole milk. Start with a bit of the dry ingredients, mix, then add some milk, and continue alternating until everything is fully incorporated.
4. Fill the Doughnut Pan:
Carefully spoon the batter into the prepared doughnut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 of the way full. Use a spoon or spatula to smooth the tops if necessary.
5. Bake:
Place the doughnut pan in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the doughnuts are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool the Doughnuts:
Once baked, remove the doughnuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Prepare the Icing:
While the doughnuts are cooling, make the icing. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. If the icing is too thick, add more milk; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
8. Ice the Doughnuts:
Once the doughnuts have cooled completely, dip the tops of each doughnut into the icing, swirling them to coat evenly. If desired, immediately sprinkle with colorful sprinkles.
9. Serve and Enjoy:
Allow the icing to set for a few minutes before serving. These doughnuts are perfect with a cup of coffee or tea!!
Note
These doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for a couple of days. Reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds to enjoy that fresh-baked taste again.
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.
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
My vanilla cake doughnut recipe was an easy success that brought so much joy and confidence to my baking journey.
The process was simple, the results were delicious, and the smiles on everyone’s faces made it all worth it.
I hope others try this vanilla cake doughnut recipe and find the same happiness and sweet success in their own kitchens.
Sometimes, the little things like a warm, homemade doughnut can create the most meaningful moments.
More Delicious Cake Recipes
Old-Fashioned Depression Vanilla Cake Recipe
Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe – Healthy Morning
Moist Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe
Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake Recipe – A Sweet and Creamy
Moist Carrot Cake Buttermilk Recipe
Vanilla Cake Doughnut Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Whisk
- Doughnut pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cooling rack
- Small saucepan (for icing)
- Spoon or small spatula (for spreading icing)
Ingredients
For the doughnuts:
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/4 cups butter softened
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
For the icing:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk adjust for consistency
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your doughnut pan with cooking spray or butter.
Prepare the Doughnut Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a separate bowl, use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla bean paste.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients (flour mixture) to the wet ingredients (butter-sugar mixture), alternating with the whole milk. Start with a bit of the dry ingredients, mix, then add some milk, and continue alternating until everything is fully incorporated.
Fill the Doughnut Pan:
- Carefully spoon the batter into the prepared doughnut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 of the way full. Use a spoon or spatula to smooth the tops if necessary.
Bake:
- Place the doughnut pan in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the doughnuts are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool the Doughnuts:
- Once baked, remove the doughnuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Icing:
- While the doughnuts are cooling, make the icing. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. If the icing is too thick, add more milk; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Ice the Doughnuts:
- Once the doughnuts have cooled completely, dip the tops of each doughnut into the icing, swirling them to coat evenly. If desired, immediately sprinkle with colorful sprinkles.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Allow the icing to set for a few minutes before serving. These doughnuts are perfect with a cup of coffee or tea!!