If you’re looking for a treat that’s both charming and irresistibly delicious, you’re going to adore this Strawberry Glazed Donuts Recipe. I absolutely love how these donuts come out tender, fluffy, and perfectly sweet, topped with a fresh strawberry glaze that’s bursting with flavor. Whether it’s a weekend brunch or an afternoon pick-me-up, these donuts are a real crowd-pleaser and super fun to make at home. Stick around—I’m going to share all the tips and tricks I learned so your batch turns out flawless every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: These donuts use pantry staples, so you probably have most of what you need already.
- Fresh Strawberry Flavor: The glaze is naturally fruity and bright, adding a perfect touch of summer to every bite.
- Baked, Not Fried: Healthier and less messy, but still unbelievably delicious and soft inside.
- Quick and Easy Prep: From mixing to glazing, the process is straightforward and beginner-friendly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this strawberry glazed donut recipe, the ingredients combine to create a tender crumb and a fresh, sweet topping. I always recommend using room temperature dairy for the best batter texture and picking ripe, fragrant strawberries for that natural sweetness in the glaze.
- All-purpose flour: Spoon and level to avoid compacting, which can make the donuts dense.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents give your donuts that perfect rise and fluffiness.
- Salt and nutmeg: Both enhance the overall flavor; nutmeg adds a gentle warmth.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the donuts but not too much—just enough to balance the glaze.
- Eggs: Use large eggs at room temperature for a smoother batter and better rise.
- Milk and sour cream (or Greek yogurt): They keep the donuts moist and tender.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and cooled for richness and a tender crumb.
- Pure vanilla extract: A little goes a long way to add depth of flavor.
- Strawberries: Fresh and quartered—these become the star of the glaze, so juicy and fragrant.
- Powdered sugar: For a smooth, sweet glaze that just clings to the donuts perfectly.
- Milk (for the glaze): Adjust depending on how thick or thin you want your glaze.
Variations
I love making this strawberry glazed donut recipe just as it is, but sometimes I like to switch things up depending on the season or my mood. Don’t hesitate to personalize the glaze or the donut base—you’ll find it’s quite forgiving and fun to experiment with!
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream: I tried this once and it gave a slightly tangier flavor without sacrificing moistness.
- Blueberry glaze: Swapping strawberries for blueberries makes a lovely, colorful twist that my kids adore.
- Chocolate dip: Adding a chocolate glaze or drizzle ups the indulgence factor for special treats.
- Spiced dough: Try adding cinnamon or cardamom for a cozy, fall-inspired flavor.
How to Make Strawberry Glazed Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Batter Ready
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and giving your donut pans a good spray with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg. This dry mix is the foundation for your donuts’ texture.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine sugar, eggs, milk, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), melted butter, and vanilla. Be sure everything is at room temperature—it really helps the ingredients blend smoothly. Mix until just combined; overmixing can toughen the dough.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet mix into the dry ingredients, gently folding them together until just combined. Don’t worry if you still see a few lumps—this keeps the donuts tender. Then transfer your batter into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off.
Step 4: Fill the Donut Pans and Bake
Pipe the batter into your prepared donut pans, filling each cavity about two-thirds full—that way, the donuts have room to rise without spilling over. Bake for about 10-13 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the donuts comes out clean. Let them rest in the pan for 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.
Step 5: Make the Strawberry Glaze
While the donuts cool, toss your quartered strawberries into a food processor and blend until smooth. Pour the puree into a bowl, then start mixing in half the powdered sugar until combined. Add the rest of the powdered sugar, mixing until the glaze is thick, then drip in the milk to thin it just enough to glide over the donuts without dripping off completely. If the glaze feels too runny, simply stir in a bit more powdered sugar.
Step 6: Glaze and Set
Dip each donut right-side-up into your strawberry glaze and lift it out, allowing the excess to drip off. Place them back on the cooling rack and let the glaze set for at least 15 minutes before digging in.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Glazed Donuts Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Trust me, pulling your eggs, milk, and sour cream out a couple hours ahead prevents clumps and helps the batter mix evenly.
- Use a Piping Bag: It makes filling the donut pans so much neater and more precise, giving you evenly shaped donuts every time.
- Avoid Overbaking: Don’t leave them in the oven too long; the donuts should be soft and springy, not dry or crumbly.
- Adjust Glaze Consistency: If your glaze feels too thin, just add more powdered sugar gradually for that perfect shiny finish that sticks without running off.
How to Serve Strawberry Glazed Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little freeze-dried strawberry powder or finely chopped pistachios on top of the glaze to add an extra pop of color and a lovely crunch. Fresh strawberry slices scattered around for serving also look gorgeous and amp up the strawberry vibe.
Side Dishes
Pair these donuts with a cup of your favorite coffee or a glass of cold milk for the classic combo. For brunch, a bowl of mixed berries or a light yogurt parfait complements the sweet donuts without being too heavy.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or special occasion, arrange the donuts on a cake stand or tiered platter, surrounded by fresh strawberries and edible flowers. You could even dip half in the strawberry glaze and half in chocolate for an eye-catching variety.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, but if your kitchen’s warm, pop them in the fridge to keep the glaze firm. Just be aware that refrigeration can slightly dry out the donuts, so enjoy them sooner rather than later.
Freezing
If you want to freeze these donuts, I recommend doing so before glazing. Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for about 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight and glaze fresh.
Reheating
The easiest way to reheat is in the microwave for 10-15 seconds—just enough to warm them through without melting the glaze completely. If your glaze got a little soft from storing, a quick chill in the fridge will firm it back up.
FAQs
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Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
While a donut pan gives the perfect shape and even baking, you can use a muffin pan if needed. Keep in mind the shape will be different, and you might want to adjust the baking time slightly. Alternatively, shaping by hand and baking on a lined sheet is doable but requires more skill.
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How do I know when the donuts are done baking?
The best test is a toothpick inserted into the donut—it should come out clean or with a few dry crumbs. The donuts should spring back lightly when pressed gently. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and moist.
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Can I use frozen strawberries for the glaze?
Yes, but thaw and drain them well first to avoid making the glaze too watery. You might need to add a bit more powdered sugar to achieve the right thickness.
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Can this recipe be made vegan or dairy-free?
With some substitutions, yes! Replace dairy with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk, use vegan sour cream or yogurt, and swap eggs for flax eggs. Keep in mind that texture and flavor might vary slightly.
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What’s the best way to get a smooth strawberry glaze?
Using a food processor to puree the strawberries until silky smooth is key. Be sure to strain out seeds if you want an ultra-smooth finish, and gradually add powdered sugar to control thickness perfectly.
Final Thoughts
This strawberry glazed donuts recipe quickly became one of my favorites because it’s approachable and delivers that bakery-quality experience right at home. I’ve made batches for family gatherings and quiet mornings alike, and they always bring smiles. If you give it a try, I’m pretty sure you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again. So grab your donut pans and fresh strawberries, and let’s get baking!
Print
Strawberry Glazed Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these soft and fluffy Strawberry Glazed Donuts, freshly baked with a tender crumb and topped with a sweet, vibrant strawberry glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack, these donuts combine classic flavors with a fresh fruit twist for a crowd-pleasing treat that’s easy to make at home.
Ingredients
Donuts
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- Pinch of Nutmeg
- 2/3 cup White granulated sugar
- 2 Large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cups Milk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup Sour cream or Greek yogurt, room temperature
- 4 TBSP Unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
Strawberry Glaze
- 1/2 cup Strawberries, washed and quartered
- 2 cups Powdered sugar
- 1 TBSP Milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Donut Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray two donut pans with baking non-stick spray to ensure easy release after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg. Set this mixture aside for now.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, blend the white granulated sugar, eggs, milk, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), melted butter, and pure vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently mix until just combined; be careful not to over-mix to keep the donuts tender.
- Fill Donut Pans: Transfer the batter into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner cut off. Pipe the batter into the prepared donut pans, filling each cavity about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
- Bake the Donuts: Place the pans in the oven and bake for 10 to 13 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the donuts; it should come out clean. After baking, let the donuts rest in the pans for 5 minutes.
- Cool Donuts: Transfer the donuts carefully to a cooling rack, allowing them to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare Strawberry Glaze: Place the quartered strawberries into a food processor and blend until smooth to form a puree. Pour the strawberry puree into a small bowl and add half of the powdered sugar, mixing until combined.
- Adjust Glaze Consistency: Add the remaining powdered sugar to the puree mixture and stir thoroughly. The glaze should be thick before adding milk. Then add 1 tablespoon of milk and mix until the glaze is smooth but thick enough to coat the donuts without dripping excessively. If too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Glaze the Donuts: Dip each cooled donut into the strawberry glaze, ensuring an even coating. Place the glazed donuts back onto the cooling rack and allow the glaze to set and dry before serving.
Notes
- Flour: Use the spoon-and-level method or weigh your flour to avoid compacting, which can dry out the donuts.
- High Altitude Baking: Add an extra 2 tablespoons of flour to compensate for altitude differences.
- Dairy Ingredients: For best results, bring dairy ingredients like eggs, milk, and sour cream to room temperature about 2 hours before baking.
- Donut Pans: Using non-stick donut pans makes shaping and removal much easier.
- Glaze: Adjust the thickness of the glaze based on preference. Thicker glaze will hold better on the donuts but may be less glossy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
