Super soft and fluffy, my recipe for baked doughnuts make the perfect alternative to fried doughnuts. Easy to make with no special equipment required. And wait...it gets even better, The dough is cut with cookie or doughnut cutter, so there is no need for a doughnut pan!
This is such a great baked doughnut recipe, one of my favourites. It is yeast based, creating a soft textured doughnut. Roll these little rings of deliciousness in cinnamon sugar, top with melted chocolate or a glace icing and you have one delicious dessert or teatime treat.
Like most fried or baked doughnuts, these do not store too well.
They are best eaten on the same day on which they are baked. I can promise, that you will definitely not have a problem with that. These doughnuts taste so good that they will disappear off the plate before you know it.
The amazing taste of these baked doughnuts is created by using really simple and basic ingredients. Flour, sugar, yeast, milk, butter, and buttermilk or plain yoghurt.
As with all my yeast-based recipes, I prefer to use instant dry yeast. This type of yeast is added directly to the flour and does not need to be activated in warm water first.
If you do not have any buttermilk or plain yogurt, then just substitute it by adding 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to ¼ cup ( 60ml) milk. Allow it to stand for 5 minutes before adding it to the recipe. Buttermilk or yogurt adds moisture to the dough and creates a softer bake.
MAKING THE BAKED DOUGHNUTS
Add flour, salt, instant dry yeast, and sugar into a large bowl and using a whisk or fork, mix to combine. ( Dry ingredients)
Melt the butter in a pot or bowl.
In another pot or microwave, safe measuring jug mix together the buttermilk, milk vanilla extract. Heat this mixture until just lukewarm. It should not be hot or too cold, just lukewarm. Pour the melted butter into this milk mixture and stir to combine. ( Wet ingredients)
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 to 8 minutes until smooth.
Place the dough into a mixing bowl, which should be lightly coated with oil. Keep the bowl in a warm draft-free area of your kitchen. Allow the dough to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Punch down the dough and roll or press it out to ½ inch ( about 1 ½ cm ) thickness.
Use either cookie cutters or a doughnut cutter to cut the dough. Place the cut doughnuts on a baking sheet, lined with parchment/baking paper. Leave to rise for 15 to 20 minutes.
Bake for 5 to 8 minutes in a preheated oven of 356°F / 180°C until golden brown.
Decorate with either melted chocolate, glace icing, cinnamon sugar or as preferred. If you are going to be rolling these doughnuts in cinnamon sugar, then it is best if dip the hot baked doughnuts in a bit of melted butter first. This will ensure an even coating of the cinnamon sugar.
Enjoy ♥
If you like this recipe, be sure to check out my other amazing doughnut recipes
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Baked Doughnuts
Ingredients
- 3 cups / 360g all-purpose / cake flour plus ½ cup / 60g extra for kneading
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon / 10g instant dry yeast
- ¼ cup / 50g white or brown sugar
- ¼ cup / 60ml buttermilk OR plain unflavoured yoghurt OR SEE NOTE 1
- 1 cup / 250ml milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup / 1 stick / 113g butter melted
Instructions
- Add flour, salt, instant dry yeast and sugar into a large bowl and using a whisk or fork, mix to combine. ( Dry ingredients)
- Melt the butter in a pot or bowl.
- In another pot or microwave, safe measuring jug mix together the buttermilk, milk vanilla extract. Heat this mixture until just lukewarm. It should not be hot or too cold, just lukewarm. Pour the melted butter into this milk mixture and stir to combine. ( Wet ingredients)
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 to 8 minutes until smooth.
- Place the dough into a mixing bowl, which should be lightly coated with oil. Keep the bowl in a warm draft-free area of your kitchen. Allow the dough to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and roll or press it out to ½ inch ( about 1 ½ cm ) thickness. Use either cookie cutters or a doughnut cutter to cut the dough. Place the cut doughnuts on a baking sheet, lined with parchment/baking paper. Leave to rise for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Bake for 5 to 8 minutes in a preheated oven of 350°F / 180°C / Gas mark 4 until golden brown.
- Decorate with either melted chocolate, glace icing, cinnamon sugar or as preferred.
- If you are going to be rolling these doughnuts in cinnamon sugar, then it is best if dip the hot baked doughnuts in a bit of melted butter first. This will ensure an even coating of the cinnamon sugar.
Laura says
We are donut-fiends in my house, and these look perfect! I love the cinnamon-sugar and my kids would love the chocolate + sprinkles! Perfect recipe, Ashika!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats says
I love baked donuts and these look so yummy! I like the ones with the chocolate glaze and sprinkles!! Perfect with a cup of coffee!
Maria | kitchenathoskins says
Baked doughnuts are always made with quick bread dough. This method of using yeast dough is such a genius idea! I need to try this baked healthier doughnut recipe.
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I so dislike deep frying so to me, baked donuts are the way to go. These look PERFECT!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com says
Wow. The first thing that struck me about your donuts Ashika was how glossy and delicious the chocolate topping looks! And I certainly won't have any problems with the fact they can't be stored for long and have to be eaten on the same day. What an excuse! Yum!
Easyfoodsmith says
I have always liked he idea of baked doughnuts but I have yet to try them.in my kitchen.
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
What a treat! My son is looking over my shoulder and is begging me for some of these!! Looks like I'll be trying your recipe soon 🙂
Aaliya says
Really like doughnuts. I really want to cook everything your recipe really helpful.
Doreen says
Thank you for this wonderful recipe, very satisfying to make and our donuts turned out beautifully. We especially appreciated the “baked not fried” aspect. The kids had lots of fun inventing different toppings and they weren’t hard to devour by the dozen - can confirm incredibly delicious and best eaten fresh! X
Ananda says
Hi I have a question. These baked doughnuts need 5-8 minutes in an oven of 350 degrees. Can you explain the reason for such a short time baking? I have a doubt that they will be undercooked.
Also for other baked doughnut recipes they use a high temperature like 425, and yours is the usual 350.is there a reason for this? Thank you!
The Gardening Foodie says
Hi Ananda, to answer your questions: Doughnuts are like little breads and do not require a long baking time. : I use a thermal fan oven, so prefer to bake at a lower temperature. If you are using a conventional oven then just increase the temperature to 400°F(200°C) and bake for between 8 to 10 minutes. But please keep an eye on the doughnuts as they bake because all ovens are different and temperature and times specified are just a guideline. Make a note of the perfect time and temperature the next time you bake these doughnuts and use that whenever you use this recipe.
I hope that this helps answer your question 🙂
Joy says
I made these for Halloween this year to take to a friend’s house. They were a huge hit and I’m making another batch tomorrow for a party. They were tasty, light, and easy to make. I already have the recipe in my permanent collection. Thank you!
The Gardening Foodie says
Hi Joy, that's absolutely great 🙂 and you are welcome. I am so happy to hear that everybody enjoyed these doughnuts too 🙂
A says
Can i use a donut pan instead ? Making as typing lol
The Gardening Foodie says
Hi, yes sure, you can use a donut pan.