There’s nothing quite like a homemade cake donut. They are soft, sweet, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying them with a morning coffee or serving them at a gathering, these cake donuts are sure to delight.

Why Make This Recipe
Making your own cake donuts at home is easy and fun! You can customize them with your favorite toppings and flavors. Plus, home-baked donuts are fresher and tastier than store-bought ones. This recipe gives you that perfect balance of sweetness and texture, making each bite a delightful experience.
How to Make The Perfect Cake Donuts
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (or vanilla bean paste)
- 3 tablespoons milk
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit and grease donut pans with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix together until smooth.
- Use a large ziplock bag with the corner snipped off or a large pastry bag to pipe the batter into the greased donut pans, filling the pans only ¾ of the way full.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown. While the donuts are baking, mix together the vanilla glaze.
- Cool for 5-10 minutes before dipping in the glaze and sprinkling with desired sprinkles. Cool completely on a cooling rack.
How to Serve The Perfect Cake Donuts
Serve these delicious cake donuts fresh from the oven or after they have cooled with a nice glaze on top. They are perfect as a breakfast treat, an afternoon snack, or a dessert for any gathering. Pair them with coffee or hot chocolate for a warm and cozy experience.
How to Store The Perfect Cake Donuts
Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they will last for up to 3 months.
Tips to Make The Perfect Cake Donuts
- Make sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off to avoid dense donuts.
- Don’t overmix the batter; a few lumps are okay.
- Experiment with different toppings such as chocolate glaze, cinnamon sugar, or nuts for a delightful twist.
Variation
You can easily customize this recipe by adding chocolate chips, nuts, or spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to the batter. You could also try different flavors of glaze to match your mood!
FAQs
1. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour, but the texture might be denser.
2. How can I make these donuts healthier?
You can reduce the sugar, use unsweetened applesauce instead of butter, or use lower-fat milk to make these donuts healthier.
3. Can I make these donuts without eggs?
Yes, you can replace the eggs with applesauce, mashed bananas, or a flaxseed mixture (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water equals 1 egg) for a vegan option.
Now you have everything you need to whip up your perfect cake donuts at home. Enjoy the process, and happy baking!

Perfect Cake Donuts
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour Spoon and level to avoid dense donuts.
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted) Use unsalted for better control of salt.
- 2 large eggs (beaten) Can substitute with applesauce or flaxseed mixture for a vegan option.
- 3/4 cup whole milk Can use lower-fat milk for a healthier option.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Glaze Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (or vanilla bean paste)
- 3 tablespoons milk Add more milk for a thinner glaze.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease donut pans with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Use a large ziplock bag with the corner snipped off or a large pastry bag to pipe the batter into the greased donut pans, filling them only ¾ of the way full.
Baking
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.
- Cool for 5-10 minutes before dipping in the glaze.
- Sprinkle with desired toppings and cool completely on a cooling rack.


