The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
Imagine the sweet scent of summer berries filling your kitchen, transforming into a tender, delightful treat. These Baked Strawberry Donuts offer a healthier twist on a classic indulgence, bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. Light, fluffy, and perfectly moist, they make an ideal breakfast pastry or charming afternoon snack. Discover the simple joy of homemade Baked Strawberry Donuts today.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Baked Strawberry Donuts
Emma firmly believes that joy can be found in the simplest, most wholesome pleasures, and these delightful Baked Strawberry Donuts perfectly encapsulate that philosophy. They aren’t just a treat; they’re an experience, designed to bring warmth and delight to your home with minimal fuss.
- Experience the pure, vibrant taste of fresh, ripe strawberries, elevated in a comforting baked form that celebrates seasonal produce.
- Effortlessly prepare a delightful treat that looks impressive yet requires incredibly simple steps, perfect for any home baker.
- Indulge guilt-free with a baked alternative, significantly lighter and healthier than traditional fried donuts, aligning perfectly with a well-being focused lifestyle.
- Perfect for a slow morning ritual, a heartwarming afternoon moment with a cup of tea, or as a thoughtful gift for loved ones. These are truly exceptional Baked Strawberry Donuts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Crafting truly exceptional Baked Strawberry Donuts begins with selecting ingredients that speak of quality and freshness. Emma always advocates for the best possible produce and pantry staples, believing they are the foundation of any truly comforting and wholesome dish. Prioritizing fresh, ripe strawberries ensures that authentic, summery flavor shines through in every bite of these homemade treats.
- For the Donuts:
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour (unbleached, for the best texture and rise, embodying homemade excellence)
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar (or a natural alternative for mindful sweetness)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (essential for that light, airy rise)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (fine sea salt is preferred; it beautifully enhances all the flavors)
- ½ cup (120ml) milk (whole milk for richness, or your favorite high-quality plant-based milk)
- 1 large egg (room temperature, for seamless batter incorporation)
- ¼ cup (60ml) melted unsalted butter (or refined coconut oil for a dairy-free option)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (a must for adding warmth and depth)
- ¾ cup (110g) fresh strawberries, finely diced (ensure they are ripe, sweet, and bursting with natural goodness)
- For the Strawberry Glaze:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar, for a silky smooth glaze)
- 2-3 tablespoons strawberry puree (made from fresh strawberries, gently strained for perfection)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional, but it truly elevates the glaze’s aroma and taste)
Substitutions & Variations
Note: This video is for demonstration purposes and may use a slightly different method.
These Baked Strawberry Donuts are wonderfully adaptable, perfect for dietary tweaks or seasonal shifts. Emma champions wholesome, delightful changes in the kitchen!
- Gluten-Free Flour: Easily substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. This ensures your gluten-free baked treats maintain a tender crumb.
- Dairy-Free Options: For a dairy-free version, opt for plant-based milk (like almond, oat, or soy milk) and use refined coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative.
- Natural Sweeteners: Replace granulated sugar with coconut sugar, maple syrup (reduce liquid slightly), or a natural sugar alternative for a different flavor profile. Adjust to your preferred level of sweetness for these delightful strawberry donuts.
- Berry Variations: While the star is undoubtedly the strawberry, feel free to experiment with other finely diced berries. Raspberries, blueberries, or a mixed berry blend can create equally delightful baked fruit donuts.
- Glaze Alternatives: For a less sweet option, a simple lemon glaze (made with powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice) or a light dusting of powdered sugar works beautifully.
If you’re looking to adapt these delightful treats for specific dietary needs, check out the Strawberry Baked Donuts for more flexible options. Emma’s approach to wholesome ingredients makes it easy to enjoy these delicious donuts without compromising on taste.
Equipment You’ll Need
Having the right tools at hand truly simplifies the process of baking these delicate Baked Strawberry Donuts. Emma finds that investing in good quality, reliable equipment not only makes baking easier but also more enjoyable, aligning perfectly with a mindful, slow-living approach to cooking.
- Donut Baking Pan: A non-stick standard 6-cavity donut pan is absolutely essential for achieving that classic donut shape without the need for frying.
- Two Large Mixing Bowls: For keeping your wet and dry ingredients separate until ready to combine.
- Whisk or Electric Mixer: A simple whisk works wonderfully, but an electric mixer can speed up the process for a super smooth batter.
- Rubber Spatula: Indispensable for gently folding ingredients and scraping down the sides of bowls.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accuracy is key for consistent results in baking, ensuring your homemade donuts are perfect every time.
- Cooling Rack: Crucial for allowing your donuts to cool completely and evenly, preventing them from becoming soggy.
- Small Saucepan (optional): Useful if you’re making your strawberry puree from scratch for the glaze.
- Piping Bag with a Round Tip (optional): While you can spoon the batter, a piping bag makes filling the donut cavities incredibly easy, clean, and ensures uniform treats.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Crafting these delectable Baked Strawberry Donuts is a straightforward and immensely rewarding process. Follow Emma’s detailed steps carefully, and you’ll soon be enjoying perfectly moist, fluffy donuts bursting with the sweet, aromatic flavor of fresh strawberries. This recipe is designed to be approachable for bakers of all levels, celebrating the joy of homemade treats.
- Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to a precise 350°F (175°C). Next, lightly grease a non-stick donut baking pan with a touch of butter or a light spray of cooking oil. This crucial step ensures your strawberry donuts release easily.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a generously sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk vigorously for about 30 seconds to ensure all the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined and aerated.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the milk, the room temperature egg, the melted unsalted butter (or refined coconut oil), and the pure vanilla extract. Continue whisking until the mixture is completely smooth and well emulsified.
- Gently Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients mixture into the bowl containing the dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, mix just until no dry streaks of flour remain. It’s paramount not to overmix the batter; a few small lumps are perfectly acceptable and actually desirable for tender, light baked strawberry donuts.
- Fold in Fresh Strawberries: With the batter just combined, gently fold in the finely diced fresh strawberries. Distribute them as evenly as possible throughout the batter without overworking it. This ensures every bite of your homemade baked treats has a burst of fruity goodness.
- Fill Donut Pan with Batter: For the neatest and most uniform results, transfer the donut batter into a piping bag (you can use a large round tip or simply snip off the end of the bag). Alternatively, use a spoon. Carefully fill each donut cavity about two-thirds full. Be mindful not to overfill, as this can cause your delicious baked donuts to lose their perfect shape and rise unevenly.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the donut pan into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The donuts are ready when they are beautifully golden brown around the edges and spring back gently when lightly touched. A toothpick inserted into the thickest part should come out clean, indicating they are cooked through.
- Cool Before Glazing: Remove the donut pan from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for precisely 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is vital; your baked donuts must be absolutely cold before applying the glaze to prevent it from melting and running off.
- Prepare the Luscious Strawberry Glaze: While your beautiful baked goods are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, the fresh strawberry puree, and the optional vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth, thick, and pourable. Adjust consistency by adding a tiny bit more puree if too thick, or a little more powdered sugar if too thin.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the Baked Strawberry Donuts are completely cool, dip the top of each donut into the prepared glaze. Allow any excess glaze to drip off for a clean finish. Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack (with parchment paper underneath to catch any drips) and let the glaze set for about 15-20 minutes before serving. Enjoy these wonderful homemade treats!
To ensure your baking journey is as smooth as possible, refer to the Homemade Glazed Donuts recipe. This guide lays out simple steps to achieve perfectly glazed donuts that pair beautifully with your strawberry creations.
Pro Tips for Success
Even the simplest, most comforting recipes benefit from a few expert insights and techniques. These pro tips, straight from Emma’s kitchen, will help you achieve beautifully light, flavorful, and perfectly shaped Baked Strawberry Donuts every single time, reflecting a commitment to culinary excellence and consistent homemade goodness.
- The Golden Rule: Do Not Overmix: This is arguably the most crucial tip for any baked good. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in dense, chewy donuts that lack that desirable light, fluffy texture. Mix with a gentle hand and stop as soon as the dry streaks of flour disappear.
- Embrace Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your milk and egg are at room temperature. This promotes a smoother, more emulsified batter, leading to a more consistent and tender texture in your finished baked goods. Plan ahead by taking them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before baking.
- Finely Dice Your Strawberries: Precision here is important. Smaller, uniformly diced pieces of strawberries will distribute more evenly throughout the batter. This prevents the donuts from becoming too wet or heavy in certain spots and ensures a burst of strawberry flavor in every bite.
- Master the Art of Filling Pans: Filling each donut cavity precisely two-thirds full is key to achieving that perfect donut shape. Too little batter, and your donuts will be small and flat; too much, and they’ll overflow, losing their distinct form. A piping bag truly makes this step effortless.
- Patience for the Glaze: Cool Completely: This cannot be stressed enough. Applying the strawberry glaze to warm or even slightly warm donuts will cause it to melt, become runny, and simply slide off. Allow your homemade donuts to cool completely on a wire rack – ideally for at least 30 minutes to an hour – before even thinking about glazing these Baked Strawberry Donuts.
- Quality Glaze Puree for Ultimate Flavor: For the most vibrant and delicious strawberry glaze, always use very ripe, sweet, fresh strawberries for your puree. After blending, straining the puree through a fine-mesh sieve will remove any seeds, resulting in an exquisitely smooth and professional-looking glaze for your homemade treats.
Storage & Reheating Tips
To keep your absolutely delicious Baked Strawberry Donuts tasting as fresh and tender as the moment they emerged from the oven, proper storage is absolutely essential. Emma’s practical home-keeping wisdom ensures you can savor these delightful treats for longer, minimizing waste and maximizing enjoyment.
- Airtight Container for Freshness: Store your glazed homemade donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This helps maintain their soft texture and prevents them from drying out. For slightly longer preservation, or if your kitchen is particularly warm, you can refrigerate them for up to 4 days; however, be aware that the glaze may soften slightly in the cooler environment.
- Freezing for Long-Term Enjoyment: For longer preservation, especially if you’ve made a large batch, it’s best to freeze the donuts unglazed. Once your homemade baked donuts are completely cooled to room temperature, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (this prevents them from sticking together). Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months, ready for a craving whenever it strikes.
- Gentle Reheating: If you’ve frozen unglazed donuts, simply thaw them at room temperature for an hour or two. For a quick warm-up and to restore a just-baked feel, microwave an individual donut for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, warm them in a preheated oven (300°F/150°C) for a few minutes until just warm through. Glaze them fresh after reheating for the best possible experience, and enjoy your warm Baked Strawberry Donuts!
Learn how to keep your Baked Strawberry Donuts fresh over time with insights from Baked Jelly Donuts. Proper storage techniques will ensure your donuts remain tender and delicious, ready to be enjoyed any time!
What to Serve With This Recipe
While these exquisite Baked Strawberry Donuts are certainly a star on their own, pairing them thoughtfully elevates the entire experience. Emma believes in creating a complete picture of well-being on your plate, even with sweet treats, perfectly fitting with a slow and mindful approach to eating. Opt for light, refreshing, and wholesome accompaniments that balance the sweetness.
- Vibrant Fresh Fruit Salad: A colorful bowl of mixed berries (beyond strawberries!), thinly sliced melon, or vibrant kiwi complements the delicate strawberry notes of the donuts beautifully. It adds freshness and essential vitamins.
- Creamy Greek Yogurt: A dollop of plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or a swirl of vanilla-infused yogurt, provides a lovely creamy contrast to the tender donuts. It’s a wonderful way to add protein and probiotics, making your breakfast or snack more satisfying.
- Calming Herbal Tea or Artisanal Coffee: A warm, comforting cup of herbal tea (think chamomile or mint) makes for a serene morning or afternoon pairing. For coffee lovers, a freshly brewed, aromatic coffee creates a delightful contrast of flavors and temperatures with these delicious homemade treats.
- Sparkling Water with a Zesty Touch: For a refreshing, hydrating option, a glass of sparkling water infused with fresh mint leaves and a squeeze of lime or lemon offers a bright, palate-cleansing counterpoint to the sweetness of the donuts.
- A Light Breakfast Spread: Consider serving these wonderful treats alongside a small portion of scrambled eggs or a veggie frittata for a balanced and indulgent weekend brunch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Emma knows that clarity and confidence in the kitchen come from having your questions answered. Here are some common inquiries about these delightful Baked Strawberry Donuts, ensuring your baking journey is smooth and successful.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, you absolutely can use frozen strawberries when fresh ones are out of season! However, there’s a crucial step: ensure you thaw them completely first, then pat them very, very dry with paper towels.
Excess moisture from frozen berries can thin your donut batter, which might affect the light and fluffy texture of your delicious baked treats. For an extra precaution, you can toss the dried thawed strawberries with a tablespoon of the flour from the recipe before folding them into the batter; this helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
How long do these donuts stay fresh?
When stored correctly in an airtight container at room temperature, these delightful treats will retain their wonderful freshness and tender texture for up to two days. If your kitchen is particularly warm or you wish to extend their life, refrigerate them for up to four days. Just be mindful that the glaze might soften slightly in the cooler environment of the fridge. For the absolute best texture and flavor, Emma always recommends enjoying them within 24 hours of baking.
Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Certainly, adapting this recipe for a gluten-free diet is straightforward and successful! To make wonderful gluten-free Strawberry Donuts, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. It’s important to choose a blend that already contains xanthan gum, as this ingredient is vital for providing structure and tenderness in gluten-free baking. The rest of the recipe steps and ingredients can remain the same, ensuring you still achieve that light, fluffy, and incredibly flavorful result without gluten.
Baked donuts are a healthier alternative to their fried counterparts, often incorporating a variety of flavors and ingredients, like fresh fruit, for added deliciousness. This baking method allows for lighter treats that are perfect for breakfasts or snacks, showcasing the versatility of this beloved pastry style in modern desserts.
Final Thoughts
These Baked Strawberry Donuts embody the simple joy of homemade treats. They remind us that small indulgences can be wholesome and incredibly satisfying. Share them with loved ones or savor a quiet moment. They bring warmth and delight to any day, a true taste of spring and summer, baked with love, from Emma’s heart to your home.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Approximate nutritional values for one Baked Strawberry Donut (excluding glaze, as glaze thickness can vary). Please note these are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredient brands and preparation methods, reflecting Emma’s commitment to transparency without overly precise claims.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 35mg |
| Sodium | 150mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 27g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 15g |
| Protein | 3g |
Baked Strawberry Donuts
These Baked Strawberry Donuts offer a healthier twist on a classic indulgence, bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. They are light, fluffy, and perfectly moist, making them an ideal breakfast pastry or charming afternoon snack.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut baking pan.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the diced strawberries gently.
- Fill each donut cavity about two-thirds full with batter.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the glaze by whisking the powdered sugar with the strawberry puree and optional vanilla extract until smooth.
- Dip the cooled donuts in the glaze and let set before serving.
Notes
Ensure strawberries are finely diced and avoid overmixing the batter to maintain texture. Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
