If you have a sweet tooth that craves fresh, fruity flavors wrapped up in soft, cakey goodness, then this Strawberry Donuts Recipe is just for you. These donuts boast a tender crumb infused with the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries, accented by a subtle vanilla aroma and a perfect balance of buttery richness. Whether you’re making them for a weekend treat or a special occasion, these strawberry donuts are guaranteed to brighten your day with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is a breeze for this recipe, and each one plays a crucial role in creating donuts that are moist, fluffy, and packed with strawberry goodness. From the creamy melted butter to the fresh diced strawberries, every element works in harmony to elevate the flavor and texture.
- Unsalted butter: 1/4 cup melted at room temperature to offer richness and tender crumb.
- Vegetable oil: 1/4 cup adds moisture without weighing down the batter.
- Sugar: 3/4 cup for just the right amount of sweetness.
- Eggs: 2 large at room temp to help bind ingredients and provide structure.
- Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons for that warm, sweet fragrance.
- Milk: 1 cup to keep the batter smooth and soft.
- All-purpose flour: 2 1/2 cups as the sturdy base to shape your donuts.
- Baking powder: 1 teaspoon to give the donuts a light, airy lift.
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon to enhance all the sweet flavors.
- Fresh strawberries: 1 cup, hulled and diced for bursts of natural fruitiness.
- Red food coloring (optional): 7 drops to give your donuts a vibrant pink hue.
- Powdered sugar: 2 cups for the sweet glaze.
- Milk (for glaze): 1/2 cup to mix with powdered sugar into a smooth icing.
How to Make Strawberry Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it reaches the ideal temperature for baking your donuts to golden perfection. Meanwhile, lightly spray your donut pans with non-stick baking spray — this helps the donuts release easily after baking without any rips or breaks.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. This dry mixture creates the base of your donut batter, ensuring even rising and that classic cakey texture.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, stir together the milk, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mixing these wet ingredients thoroughly brings moisture and flavor into the batter, setting the stage for tender, rich donuts.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until the batter is smooth and combined. If you want your donuts to have a lovely pink tint, gently fold in the optional red food coloring at this stage.
Step 5: Fold in Fresh Strawberries
Gently fold the diced strawberries into the batter, evenly distributing these juicy bursts of freshness throughout. This is where the strawberry magic truly starts to shine in the donuts.
Step 6: Fill the Pan and Bake
Spoon or pipe the batter carefully into your prepared donut pans, filling each cavity about three-quarters full to allow room for rising. Bake them in the hot oven for 9 to 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool Before Glazing
Once baked, remove the donuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This step ensures they hold their shape perfectly and are ready for glazing.
Step 8: Prepare the Glaze and Finish
Mix powdered sugar with milk to create a smooth glaze. Dip the slightly cooled donuts into the glaze, letting excess drip off before placing them back on the wire rack to set.
How to Serve Strawberry Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance the charm of your strawberry donuts by adding fresh strawberry slices or a sprinkle of crushed freeze-dried strawberries on top of the glaze. A light dusting of powdered sugar can add a delicate touch that feels just like a sweet morning snow.
Side Dishes
Serve the donuts alongside a cup of your favorite tea, coffee, or even a chilled glass of milk. For brunch gatherings, pair them with a fresh fruit salad or yogurt parfait to complement and balance the sweetness of the donuts.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive flair, arrange your strawberry donuts on a tiered dessert stand, garnished with edible flowers or mint leaves. You can also sandwich a little whipped cream and sliced strawberries between two donuts for a delightful strawberry donut shortcake twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover strawberry donuts, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for up to two days, though they are best enjoyed fresh for maximum flavor and texture.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze well for up to one month and thaw quickly at room temperature.
Reheating
To enjoy your donuts warm and fluffy after freezing, simply microwave them for about 15 to 20 seconds or warm them in a low oven for a few minutes. Reheating brings back that freshly baked feel and enhances the strawberry flavors.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
While fresh strawberries provide the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen diced strawberries that have been thawed and drained well. Just be mindful that excess moisture might affect the batter slightly.
Is it necessary to use food coloring?
No, the red food coloring is optional and used purely for aesthetic appeal. The strawberries themselves impart a lovely pink color, though it’s more subtle.
Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that is designed for baking. You may need to adjust the liquid slightly, so watch your batter’s consistency.
How long do these strawberry donuts stay fresh?
They are best eaten within two days if stored at room temperature. Beyond that, freezing is the way to preserve their deliciousness.
Can I make a strawberry glaze instead of the powdered sugar glaze?
Absolutely! Blend fresh strawberries with powdered sugar and a bit of milk to create a strawberry glaze that adds an extra fruity punch to these already strawberry-packed donuts.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a batch of homemade strawberry donuts fresh from the oven. Whether you’re sharing them with family, impressing friends, or treating yourself, this Strawberry Donuts Recipe is a joy to make and even more joyful to eat. I hope you try it soon and discover how wonderfully easy and delicious berry-filled donuts can be!
Print
Strawberry Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 14 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Donuts are soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. Baked to perfection, they combine the sweetness of fresh strawberries and a smooth powdered sugar glaze, making for a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted at room temperature
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
- 7 drops red food coloring (optional)
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the donuts.
- Prepare Donut Pans: Spray your donut pans with a non-stick baking spray to prevent the donuts from sticking after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir to ensure they are evenly mixed and set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Mix Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. If using, stir in the red food coloring for a vibrant pink color.
- Add Strawberries: Carefully fold in the diced fresh strawberries to incorporate them evenly without crushing.
- Fill Donut Pans: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pans, filling each cavity almost to the top. Alternatively, use a piping bag for more precise filling.
- Bake: Bake the donuts in the preheated oven for 9 to 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
- Cool Donuts: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze Donuts: Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze, letting any excess drip off. Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack to allow the glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- Make sure strawberries are fresh and diced small to ensure even baking and good distribution in the batter.
- Use room temperature eggs and melted butter for a smoother batter.
- If you do not have red food coloring, the donuts will still have great flavor with a natural strawberry color.
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
- Allow the donuts to fully cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
