If you’re craving something fresh, fruity, and utterly delightful, this Strawberry Donuts Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine biting into soft, tender donuts bursting with natural strawberry flavor and topped with a glossy, sweet glaze — pure bliss in every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh Strawberry Flavor: The star ingredient is real strawberries, giving these donuts an authentic fruity punch that’s refreshing and vibrant.
- Easy & Quick: With only about 22 minutes from start to finish, these donuts are perfect for a fast homemade treat that impresses without stress.
- Soft, Moist Texture: Thanks to buttermilk and a tender cake flour mix, these donuts have a delicate crumb that melts in your mouth.
- Versatile & Fun: Whether glazed atop or dipped, the luscious strawberry glaze finishes off each donut with eye-catching sparkle and delicious sweetness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully to create the perfect balance of sweet, fruity, and tender in the dough and glaze. Each one plays a crucial role — from the buttery richness to the burst of fresh strawberries that bring life to this Strawberry Donuts Recipe.
- Unsalted butter: Adds buttery richness and moistness without overpowering flavors.
- Sugar: Sweetens and helps achieve that golden-brown crust.
- Egg: Provides structure while keeping the donuts light and tender.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Buttermilk: Keeps the donuts soft and adds a subtle tanginess that balances the sweetness.
- Cake flour & all-purpose flour: Cake flour creates tenderness, while all-purpose flour gives structure.
- Baking soda & baking powder: Essential leavening agents to help the donuts rise just right.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Fresh strawberries: Fresh and juicy, pureed for a natural fruity flavor throughout the donuts.
Variations
One of the joys of this Strawberry Donuts Recipe is how easy it is to put your own twist on it. Whether you want to dial back the sugar, experiment with flavors, or tailor the recipe to your dietary preferences, these donuts welcome your creativity!
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap out the flours for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend to make these donuts friendly for gluten-sensitive friends and family.
- Extra Strawberry Punch: Fold in some finely chopped fresh strawberries into the batter for more texture and bursts of juicy sweetness.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Once glazed, drizzle melted dark or white chocolate on top for a gorgeous flavor contrast.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use almond or oat milk instead of buttermilk and dairy-free butter alternatives without changing the magic.
How to Make Strawberry Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Strawberry Puree
Start by trimming your fresh strawberries and tossing them into a food processor. Pulse just enough to create a chunky puree—think juicy bits, not smooth liquid. This texture will give your donuts delightful pockets of fresh strawberry flavor and vibrant color.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Using a large bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, sugar, and egg on medium-high speed for about two minutes. This step helps incorporate air, creating a light base. Then add the vanilla extract, buttermilk, and your freshly made strawberry puree, blending until everything is beautifully combined and pink-tinged.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients and Fold In
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add these dry ingredients gradually to the wet mixture, stirring on low speed just until they come together. Be careful not to overmix—this keeps the donuts tender and soft rather than dense.
Step 4: Pipe and Bake
Transfer your batter into a piping bag or a freezer-quality bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe the batter evenly into a greased donut tin, filling each mold about halfway to allow room for rising. Bake in a 400°F oven for 7–8 minutes until light golden and springy to the touch.
Step 5: Glaze and Enjoy
While the donuts cool on a wire rack, whisk together powdered sugar and milk to create a sweet glaze. You can either pour this over the donuts, letting it drip down their sides, or dunk each donut’s top into the glaze for a thicker coating. Let the glaze set for 20-30 minutes, then dive into your strawberry-sweet treat!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Donuts Recipe
- Perfect Puree: Pulse your strawberries just enough to retain some texture, balancing moisture without making the batter too wet.
- Avoid Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients in gently to keep your donuts tender—overmixing can lead to tough, dense results.
- Use Cake Flour: This tip ensures your donuts have a soft, melt-in-your-mouth crumb instead of a chewy texture.
- Baking Time Precision: Check your donuts at 7 minutes to avoid overbaking—once they spring back lightly, they’re done and perfectly moist inside.
How to Serve Strawberry Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes can elevate these donuts from everyday treat to party-worthy dessert. Think thin strawberry slices artfully placed on top of the glaze, a sprinkle of edible flower petals, or even a dusting of powdered sugar for a soft, snowy finish that invites smiling faces.
Side Dishes
Strawberry donuts pair wonderfully with vibrant breakfast sides like a fresh fruit salad or a tangy yogurt parfait. For a cozy brunch, serve alongside a hot cup of coffee or a refreshing iced tea, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking your strawberry donuts on a cute cake stand, layering with fresh strawberries and mint leaves for a stunning centerpiece. Or, place each donut in a cupcake wrapper decorated with colorful ribbon to gift as delightful homemade treats your friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover strawberry donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to keep them soft and fresh. Avoid refrigeration as it can dry them out, but if your kitchen is very warm, a cool spot with good coverage works fine.
Freezing
Wrap each donut tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. These can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave for a few seconds to bring back that fresh-baked softness.
Reheating
Reheat your strawberry donuts by microwaving for 10-15 seconds or placing in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes. This revives the donut’s tender crumb and soft glaze, making each bite feel freshly made all over again.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but be sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before pureeing. This helps prevent the batter from becoming too watery, ensuring the donuts bake up perfectly.
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What if I don’t have cake flour? Can I substitute it?
If you don’t have cake flour, you can make a substitute by removing 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour per cup and replacing it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, then whisking well. This mimics the lower protein content of cake flour for tender results.
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Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
While a donut pan gives the classic shape, you can bake this batter in muffin tins as a fun alternative. Just fill the cups halfway and bake, keeping an eye on doneness since timing may vary slightly.
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How long do glazed strawberry donuts stay fresh?
Glazed strawberry donuts are best enjoyed within 1-2 days for optimal freshness. The glaze remains shiny and sweet during this time, while the cake stays tender and moist.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so utterly charming and satisfying about these strawberry donuts — they bring a bright burst of summer’s best fruit into a soft, cozy pastry. I can’t wait for you to make this Strawberry Donuts Recipe and share the joy with your loved ones. Happy baking and enjoy every delicious bite!
PrintStrawberry Donuts Recipe
These homemade strawberry donuts are soft, fluffy, and bursting with real strawberry flavor. Made with a blend of cake and all-purpose flours and a fresh strawberry puree, they bake up beautifully golden and are topped with a sweet, creamy glaze. Perfect for a delightful breakfast or an indulgent snack, these donuts are easy to prepare and sure to impress.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Donut Batter
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 3/4 cup cake flour
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12-15 strawberries (about 1 cup pureed)
Glaze
- Powdered sugar (quantity not specified, approx. 1 cup)
- Milk (quantity not specified, approximately 1-2 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Strawberry Puree: Trim the strawberries and pulse them in a food processor until you achieve a chunky puree, avoiding over-processing to prevent a runny liquid consistency. Set aside.
- Cream Butter, Sugar, and Egg: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter, sugar, and egg on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes until combined and creamy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the vanilla extract, buttermilk, and strawberry puree until fully blended.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add both flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed just until incorporated, being careful not to overmix. Scrape down bowl sides if necessary.
- Prepare Donut Batter for Filling: Transfer the batter into a large piping bag or a freezer bag. For neatness, place the bag in a large cup and fold it over the sides to hold it steady.
- Fill Donut Tin: Grease the donut tin well. Pipe or squeeze the batter carefully into each cavity, filling no more than halfway to allow room for rising.
- Bake Donuts: Place the donut tin on the middle rack and bake for 7-8 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Make Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and milk in a bowl until smooth and of pourable consistency. Adjust milk quantity to reach desired thickness.
- Glaze the Donuts: Remove the donuts from the oven and place them on a wire rack. Pour the glaze over the top of each donut, letting it drip down the sides. Alternatively, dip the tops into the glaze individually. Allow glaze to harden for 20-30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter once dry ingredients are added to keep donuts tender and fluffy.
- Use room temperature butter and egg for better blending and texture.
- The strawberry puree should be chunky, not a liquid, to maintain batter consistency.
- Fill donut molds only halfway to prevent overflow during baking.
- Glaze can be adjusted in thickness by varying powdered sugar and milk quantities.
- Store glazed donuts in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 2 days.
