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Home » Desserts » Donuts & Pastries » Soft Baked Vanilla Donuts

Soft Baked Vanilla Donuts

By: Rosemary Published: March 22, 2023 Updated on: April 2, 2023

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Baked Vanilla Donuts are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that’s perfect for any occasion. These light and fluffy donuts are baked instead of fried, making them a healthier alternative to traditional donuts.

Chocolate glazed vanilla donuts on a wire rack and on a plate and wooden board.

I love making baked donuts, from Blueberry donuts to cinnamon to even zucchini baked donuts, they are so easy to make, the addition of greek yogurt makes them soft and moist. Perfect plain or just as delicious with an easy chocolate ganache topping.

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Table of Contents

  • Ingredients needed to make Vanilla Donuts
      • Chocolate ganache
  • How to Make Cake Flour
  • How to make a Vanilla Donut recipe
  • How to make chocolate ganache
  • Is it Donut or Doughnut?
  • FAQs
  • How to store the baked donuts
      • Never Miss a Recipe!
  • Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Baked Donuts
    • Equipment
    • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • FOR THE DONUTS
      • FOR THE GANACHE
    • Instructions 
      • TO MAKE THE GANACHE
    • Notes
    • Nutrition

Ingredients needed to make Vanilla Donuts

  • Flour – all purpose or cake flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt – I use salted butter so if you use unsalted butter then add a bit more salt
  • Sugar – granulated sugar
  • Butter – melted and cooled
  • Egg – large egg room temperature
  • Vanilla – vanilla extract
  • Greek yogurt – whole plain greek yogurt room temperature
  • Milk – 2% or whole milk room temperature

Chocolate ganache

  • Chocolate – semi sweet chocolate or white chocolate
  • Cream – whole, heavy or whipping cream

If you use white chocolate then add less cream.

How to Make Cake Flour

If you prefer you can use cake flour instead of all purpose, it will make the donuts softer and more tender. For every cup of all purpose flour, remove two tablespoons and replace with two tablespoons of corn starch.

Be sure to sift the flour and cornstarch together a couple of times, this way it is sure to be properly combined and lump free.

Donut on a plate and on a wire rack.

How to make a Vanilla Donut recipe

In a small pot melt the butter and let cool. In a medium/large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.

In a medium bowl whisk together until combined, cooled melted butter, egg, vanilla, greek yogurt and milk.

how to make baked donuts from the batter to in the pan

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not over mix.

To fill the donut pan you can either pour the donut batter into a piping bag and fill the prepared donut pan until almost full or use a small spoon.

Bake until a toothpick comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached. Let the donuts cool for about 10 minutes in the pan then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

The donuts should be completely cool before dipping in the glaze. Top with sprinkles, grated chocolate or even finely chopped nuts if desired. 

How to make chocolate ganache

Chop the chocolate and place in a medium bowl. In a medium saucepan heat the cream until very hot but not boiling, pour over the chocolate and let sit for 5 minutes, then stir until melted and smooth.

Is it Donut or Doughnut?

In the Oxford English Dictionary it lists both spellings, Doughnut is the preferred spelling in British English and donut is the preferred American spelling. So in other words they both mean the same thing, just different spelling.

Donuts on a wire rack.

FAQs

What makes Baked Donuts so soft?

Using pastry flour instead of all purpose and the addition of milk and greek yogurt are what helps to make these donuts soft.

How long to bake Vanilla Donuts?

These donuts take no time to make, 20 minutes and you are eating donuts. Yummy soft, moist, baked Vanilla Cake Donuts.

How to prepare the donut pan

You can either grease and flour the pan or use a nonstick cooking spray.

Can I use chocolate chips?

If you use chocolate chips for the ganache just be sure to use a good quality chip.

How to store the baked donuts

Store the baked cooled donuts in an air tight container at room temperature. They will last up to 4 days. You can also freeze them in a freezer safe bag or container. They will keep for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.

Chocolate glazed donut.
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    These Vanilla Cake Donuts are an easy and delicious Valentine’s day treat or any day treat for that matter. Enjoy!

    Donuts on a wire rack.

    Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Baked Donuts

    Rosemary Molloy
    Easy Dipped Vanilla Cake Donuts, a fast easy delicious recipe. Dipping in some Chocolate or Nutella makes them extra yummy. The whole family will love these.
    5 from 7 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 donuts
    Calories 368 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 donut pan
    • 2 medium/large bowls
    • 1 small pot

    Ingredients
      

    FOR THE DONUTS

    • 1 cup flour all purpose or cake/pastry flour
    • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 pinch salt
    • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
    • 3 tablespoons butter melted let cool
    • 1 egg
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • 3 tablespoons greek yogurt
    • ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon milk either 2% or whole milk room temperature

    FOR THE GANACHE

    • 4 ounces semi sweet chocolate good quality
    • ½ cup cream whole/whipping or heavy cream with at least 30% fat content

    Instructions
     

    • Pre-heat oven to 350° (180° celsius), grease and flour a 6 size donut pan.
    • In a small pot melt butter and let cool.
    • In a medium/large bowl whisk together flour,baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
    • In a medium bowl whisk together until combined, cooled melted butter, egg, vanilla, greek yogurt and milk.
    • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not over mix.
    • To fill the donut pan you can either pour the donut batter into a piping bag and fill the prepared donut pan until almost full or use a small spoon and spatula.
    • Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached. Let the donuts cool for about 10 minutes in the pan then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
    • The donuts should be completely cool before dipping or spreading with the ganache. Top with sprinkles, grated chocolate or even finely chopped nuts if desired before the ganache has set. Enjoy!

    TO MAKE THE GANACHE

    • Chop the chocolate and place in a medium bowl. In a medium saucepan heat the cream until very hot but not boiling, pour over the chocolate and let sit for 5 minutes, then stir until melted and smooth.

    Notes

    For room temperature ingredients remove from the fridge 45-60 minutes before using.
    If you prefer you can use cake flour instead of all purpose, it will make the donuts softer and more tender. For every cup of all purpose flour, remove two tablespoons and replace with two tablespoons of corn starch. Be sure to sift the flour and cornstarch together a couple of times, this way it is sure to be properly combined and lump free. 
    Store the baked cooled donuts in an air tight container at room temperature. They will last up to 4 days. You can also freeze them in a freezer safe bag or container. They will keep for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 368kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 6gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 122mgPotassium: 237mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 532IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword baked donuts, baked vanilla donuts, vanilla baked donuts, vanilla donuts
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Republished from February 10, 2016.

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      Breakfast, Breakfast / Brunch, Chocolate, Desserts, Donuts & Pastries

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      1. Champa Neal says

        April 26, 2023 at 6:44 pm

        5 stars
        Can we use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?

        By the way, I love your website and have making all sorts of things.
        thanks
        Champa

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          April 26, 2023 at 7:13 pm

          Hi Champa, yes you can use regular yogurt, although use only 3-4 tablespoons of milk. Thanks so much, so glad you enjoy the website. Take care!

          Reply
      2. Yuri says

        February 23, 2019 at 1:26 am

        5 stars
        Hi
        I just found your website recently, and I’ve been making for your recipe . That was amazing !! Especially easy making bread !! I was making already twice now. LOL
        This time also I was looking for baking donuts. Here you go , your site , I was using and baking finished right now. I’m going to sneaking try tasting before I will be showing to everybody. Oh boy oh boy ! It is never tasting Baking Donuts inside fluffiness ever before !! ( I had experienced made baking donuts recipe before ) I can’t compare to anybody else recipe ever. Thank you so much !! Again , definitely my favorite and repeating recipe !

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          February 23, 2019 at 7:40 pm

          Hi Yuri, thanks so much, so glad you like the bread. I make it often too. And so glad you like the donuts. Have a great weekend. 🙂

          Reply
      3. Lana says

        February 24, 2018 at 5:30 am

        Tried these doughnuts today. All I can say is delicious ! Thank you!!!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          February 25, 2018 at 6:28 pm

          Hi Lana, I am so glad you enjoyed them. Thanks.

          Reply
      4. Tianna says

        February 12, 2016 at 5:29 pm

        5 stars
        what a cute and fun idea! I feel like this would be fun to do with friends 🙂 thanks for sharing!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          February 12, 2016 at 7:29 pm

          Hi Tianna, thanks, sounds like a good idea. 🙂

          Reply
      5. heather @french press says

        February 11, 2016 at 4:11 pm

        what a sweet treat these would be for valentines day

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          February 11, 2016 at 5:10 pm

          Thanks Heather!

          Reply
      6. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says

        February 11, 2016 at 1:24 pm

        Donuts are my husband’s FAVORITE! Honestly I don’t think there is any dessert he’d rather have on Valentine’s day, haha. We even had donuts instead of cake at our wedding!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          February 11, 2016 at 5:11 pm

          Hi Liz, wow that really is someone who loves donuts! 🙂 Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

          Reply
      7. Sarah says

        February 11, 2016 at 11:18 am

        Happy blog anniversary! These donuts look like the perfect thing to celebrate with – too cute!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          February 11, 2016 at 5:12 pm

          Thanks Sarah, they were good too! 🙂

          Reply
      8. Olivia says

        February 11, 2016 at 8:12 am

        5 stars
        Oh my goodness… if there is one thing I miss the most it’s doughnuts. Granted there are completely safe gluten and dairy free versions of them, but I really miss the real ones. These look so pretty. I love your photography too.

        Okay, I have to go now. I really try not to look at recipes that I cannot eat anymore. I just wanted to let you know that I’m pinning this to Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop Group board.

        xoxo. Happy Valentines Day.
        Olivia

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          February 11, 2016 at 5:13 pm

          Hi Olivia, sorry you can’t have a taste, but thanks for pinning. Have a great day.

          Reply
      9. Angelina says

        February 11, 2016 at 5:47 am

        Oh, yum yum! I like how your recipe has Greek yogurt in it so it is just a wee healthier… So I can eat more and not feel guilty!

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          February 11, 2016 at 5:14 pm

          Hi Angelina, exactly, eat more what the heck. 🙂

          Reply
      10. April @ Girl Gone Gourmet says

        February 11, 2016 at 12:22 am

        Happy blog birthday, friend!! You need a glass of champagne to go with those donuts 🙂

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          February 11, 2016 at 5:15 pm

          Hi April, thanks, time flies, and you are absolutely right, a glass of champagne would go perfect!

          Reply

      Hi, I'm Rosemary.

      Living in Italy I learned to cook authentic Italian dishes using whole ingredients, fresh veggies and delicious spices. So take a seat and have a taste! Read More

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