Strawberry Cake Donuts are a celebration of everything we love about a homemade treat: tender, fluffy, and bursting with sweet strawberry flavor in every bite. Imagine the nostalgic comfort of cake donuts upgraded with fresh, vibrant strawberries, finished with a tangy pink glaze that makes each donut look as joyful as it tastes. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up, these donuts come together quickly and never fail to bring a smile, whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or savoring a quiet moment to yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Strawberry Cake Donuts is in their simple ingredient list—every item is chosen for maximum flavor and that iconic, soft cake-like texture. Fresh strawberries bring natural sweetness and color, while buttermilk makes each bite lusciously tender.
- All-purpose flour: The base for the perfect cakey crumb, giving structure without heaviness.
- Baking powder: Helps the donuts rise, ensuring they’re soft and pillowy inside.
- Baking soda: Reacts with buttermilk to add lift and a slight tang, balancing sweetness.
- Salt: Just a pinch intensifies the sweet and fruity flavors—not to be skipped!
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and also helps create a tender, golden finish.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Brings rich flavor and moisture, so your donuts never taste dry.
- Large egg: Binds everything together for a cohesive, springy texture.
- Buttermilk: The hero for ultra-moist, fluffy donuts with that signature tang only buttermilk provides.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors and gives a warm bakery aroma.
- Fresh strawberries, finely chopped: The star of the show—use the ripest you can find for the most flavor and color.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): Creates a thick, sweet glaze with a classic donut shop shine.
- Fresh strawberry puree (for glaze): Adds real berry flavor and that beautiful blushing pink hue.
- Vanilla extract (for glaze): Balances the glaze and ties the whole donut experience together.
How to Make Strawberry Cake Donuts
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly greasing your donut pan. This little prep ensures that the Strawberry Cake Donuts come out without sticking and that your kitchen smells amazing as soon as they hit the oven.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, combine your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Whisking them together evenly disperses the leaveners and sugar, so every donut bakes up perfectly fluffy with uniform sweetness in every bite.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. The buttermilk and egg create richness, while the vanilla adds that classic bakery aroma—pure comfort in a bowl.
Step 4: Combine and Fold in Strawberries
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and gently stir just until combined. The key to ultra-tender donuts is to avoid overmixing. Next, gently fold in your finely chopped strawberries, making sure to distribute them evenly for bursts of berry in every bite.
Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan
Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each well about two-thirds full. Piping with a zip-top bag is my favorite mess-free trick for even, pretty donuts.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 7–8 minutes, just until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. The donuts should look set and lightly golden. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack.
Step 7: Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh strawberry puree, and vanilla extract. The result is a glossy, berry-packed glaze that sets to a beautiful pink finish.
Step 8: Glaze and Enjoy
Once the donuts are cool, dip each one into the glaze or drizzle it over the tops. Let the glaze set for a few minutes—it’s the hardest part, but so worth it for that shiny, picture-perfect finish every Strawberry Cake Donut deserves.
How to Serve Strawberry Cake Donuts
Garnishes
A fresh strawberry slice or a light shower of freeze-dried strawberry crumbles takes these donuts from homemade to absolutely bakery-worthy. You can even add a sprinkle of colorful sprinkles or a dusting of powdered sugar for that special touch.
Side Dishes
Pair Strawberry Cake Donuts with a creamy iced latte, a tall glass of cold milk, or even a tangy citrus fruit salad. The balance of flavors is delightful, and they’re perfect as the centerpiece of any brunch spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack donuts on a pretty cake stand, tie them with twine for party favors, or arrange them in a donut tower for a whimsical brunch display. For special occasions, alternate donut flavors or colors for a playful effect that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Strawberry Cake Donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen is especially warm, store them in the fridge—just let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
To freeze, place completely cooled and unglazed donuts in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to two months. Glaze after thawing for that glossy, fresh finish.
Reheating
Warm donuts briefly in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds to restore their soft, just-baked quality. If you’ve refrigerated or frozen them, this little trick brings all the coziness right back.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but be sure to thaw and pat them dry to avoid excess moisture, which can make the donuts soggy. Fresh strawberries will always give the brightest flavor and best color.
How do I keep my Strawberry Cake Donuts extra moist?
Avoid overmixing your batter and don’t overbake—the key is to mix just until combined and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Buttermilk in the batter also helps keep every donut deliciously tender.
What’s the best way to make the glaze extra pink?
Add a little freeze-dried strawberry powder to the glaze or increase the amount of strawberry puree for a vibrant pink hue and an extra boost of berry flavor.
Can I make these Strawberry Cake Donuts gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Keep an eye on the texture as you may need to adjust the baking time slightly.
Why did my donuts come out dense?
Dense donuts are usually the result of overmixing the batter or not enough leavening. Make sure to gently combine your ingredients and check that your baking powder and baking soda are fresh for the fluffiest results.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly something magical about the combination of fresh berries and soft, pillowy cake, all wrapped up in a cheerful, pink-glazed donut. Give these Strawberry Cake Donuts a try the next time you crave something special—it’s a little burst of happiness you’ll want to make again and again!
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Strawberry Cake Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Cake Donuts are a delightful treat that perfectly captures the essence of fresh strawberries in a baked, fluffy donut form. Topped with a luscious strawberry glaze, these donuts are bursting with fruity flavor and make for a perfect breakfast or dessert indulgence.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
For Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh strawberry puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a bowl.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Whisk melted butter, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla in another bowl.
- Combine and Bake: Mix wet ingredients into dry, fold in strawberries, fill donut pan, and bake for 7–8 minutes.
- Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, strawberry puree, and vanilla for glaze. Dip or drizzle over cooled donuts.
Notes
- Use ripe, fresh strawberries for optimal flavor.
- Avoid overmixing batter for tender donuts.
- Enhance glaze with freeze-dried strawberry powder for extra flavor and appearance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
