Description
Delight in these moist and tender Red Velvet Donuts, baked to perfection and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a sweet breakfast treat or an indulgent snack, these donuts combine the rich flavor of cocoa with the classic red velvet taste, creating a beautiful and delicious dessert that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Donut Batter
- 1 cup all-purpose baking flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons red food coloring
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 3 ounces cream cheese, VERY soft
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, VERY soft
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Donut Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose baking flour, cocoa powder, dark brown sugar, salt, and baking powder until well combined. This dry mixture forms the base of your donut batter, ensuring even distribution of flavors and leavening agents.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, melted butter, pure vanilla extract, egg, and red food coloring. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth and uniform, which helps activate the cocoa and enhances the rich red color of the donuts.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in denser donuts. The batter should be thick but pourable.
- Preheat and Prepare the Donut Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a donut pan to prevent sticking. Spoon the batter into the donut pan cavities, filling each about three-quarters full to allow expansion while baking.
- Bake the Donuts: Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean. The donuts should spring back when lightly pressed, indicating doneness.
- Cool the Donuts: Remove the donuts from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring the frosting doesn’t melt when applied.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the very soft cream cheese and unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy. Add the pure vanilla extract and sifted confectioners’ sugar, then continue to beat until fluffy. Adjust the consistency by adding 1-2 tablespoons of milk, as needed, to reach a spreadable texture.
- Frost the Donuts: Once the donuts are completely cooled, spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting onto the top of each donut. Decorate as desired or leave plain for a classic look.
Notes
- Use softened cream cheese and butter for a smooth and creamy frosting consistency.
- Filling donut cavities about three-quarters full prevents overflow and ensures even baking.
- Allow donuts to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
- For a deeper red color, ensure you use good-quality red food coloring and consider using gel-based coloring for more vibrant results.
- Store donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting and consume within 2-3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
