Delicious Baked Cherry Limeade Donuts: A Refreshing Taste of Summer
Indulge in these fluffy, baked cherry cake donuts, perfectly glazed with a tangy lime finish – a delightful treat that captures the essence of a classic cherry limeade!
These irresistible donuts are baked, not fried, offering a lighter yet equally satisfying indulgence. Each bite reveals a fluffy, pink cherry cake donut, lovingly dunked in a vibrant, slightly tart lime glaze. The combination instantly transports you to those warm, sunny days, reminiscent of sipping on your favorite summertime drink: a refreshing Cherry Limeade. They are truly fantastic for breakfast, a lovely addition to any brunch spread, or simply a perfect anytime snack when you crave something sweet and tangy. Imagine starting your day with these delightful pastries – pure bliss!
After what felt like an endlessly long winter, spring has finally graced us with its beautiful presence. The melodic chirping of birds fills the air, the grass is vibrantly green, and colorful flowers are blooming everywhere you look. It’s a truly welcome change, and the arrival of May feels like a breath of fresh air, embraced with open arms by everyone. This time of year brings with it a renewed sense of energy and a desire for lighter, brighter flavors, making these cherry limeade donuts an ideal treat.
This recipe post was sponsored by Family Fare Supermarkets. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own, reflecting my genuine experience with their products.
May is consistently a bustling month in our household. There’s always a flurry of outdoor activities and yard work, school semesters are wrapping up, and our calendars quickly fill with graduation parties and celebrations. Midway through the month, we get to celebrate Mother’s Day, a wonderful occasion to pamper the moms in our lives. And then, before we know it, Memorial Day arrives, signaling the official start of summer! Ah, summer—how truly missed you have been, with your long, sun-drenched days and opportunities for leisurely moments and delicious treats like these donuts.
I don’t know about you, but for us, one of summer’s most delightful guilty pleasures involves trips for frosty slushies or refreshing shaved ice. And my all-time favorite flavor? Without a doubt, Cherry Limeade. Recently, I decided to take on the challenge of making this beloved drink at home, and I’m thrilled to say it was a success. Now, we don’t even need to leave the comfort of our own backyard to enjoy this iconic beverage. While I was experimenting with the recipe for the homemade Cherry Limeades, a brilliant idea suddenly popped into my head. That incredible sweet-tart flavor profile would be absolutely outstanding in a donut!
The wheels of creativity immediately started turning, and I began experimenting with a couple of different donut recipes. However, I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the initial results. Determined to perfect this idea, I decided to fall back on a recipe that has never failed me: my tried-and-true Baked Lemon Glazed Donuts. I carefully tweaked that recipe, substituting key ingredients and adjusting flavors to create these spectacular cherry limeade donuts. And oh, my, oh, my! I was incredibly happy with the outcome! The delicate balance of sweet cherry and zesty lime proved to be a match made in heaven for a baked cake donut, creating a truly unique and delicious treat.
I often have new recipe ideas spontaneously pop into my head, demanding that I get into the kitchen *right now* to bring them to life. During these moments of creative inspiration, I’m always extra grateful that my local Family Fare Supermarket is always so conveniently close. It truly feels like my home away from home some weeks, especially when I need to quickly grab ingredients for an impromptu baking session! I simply popped in and effortlessly gathered everything I needed to get to work on perfecting this new donut recipe.
If you typically stick to name-brand products, I strongly encourage you to consider exploring store brand options. You might be surprised by the significant savings you can achieve without compromising on quality. Whenever it’s an option for me, I consistently choose to buy Family Fare’s “Our Family” brand. The accumulated price differences between their high-quality store brand and the often more expensive national brands add up quickly, making a noticeable impact on my grocery budget. It’s a smart way to save money while still enjoying excellent ingredients for all your culinary adventures.
Just for a bit of fun, I thought I’d share a quick photo of how I typically buy flour for my extensive baking endeavors! Twenty-five pounds at a time ensures I’m always ready for the next recipe inspiration!
Beyond the everyday savings, Family Fare’s YES Rewards Plan offers even more fantastic benefits. Not only does it help you save money on your groceries, but it also provides valuable fuel rewards, giving you discounts on gas. It’s truly a win-win for savvy shoppers and home cooks alike!
To create these delectable Cherry Limeade Baked Donuts, you’ll need a few essential ingredients and tools. Stock up on everyday baking staples like flour, both granulated and powdered sugar, fresh eggs, baking soda, and baking powder, along with a pinch of salt. You’ll also need vegetable oil for moisture and rich sour cream to ensure a tender crumb. For that signature cherry color and flavor, grab some pink food coloring (optional, but highly recommended for visual appeal) and a bottle of high-quality cherry flavored extract – I personally find LorAnn Oil delivers the best, most concentrated cherry essence. And, of course, a couple of fresh limes will be crucial for both their vibrant zest and their tart juice.
For the equipment, a donut baking pan is indispensable for achieving that perfect baked donut shape without the mess of frying. You can typically find LorAnn Oils and donut baking pans in the baking aisle where Wilton Baking Supplies are sold, or conveniently order them online. You can get the cherry extract oil here and the donut pan here on Amazon. A crucial tip: if you decide to use another brand of cherry extract, you may need to adjust the amount, as LorAnn Oils are exceptionally concentrated, meaning a little goes a very long way in delivering an intense, authentic cherry flavor.
These baked cherry limeade donuts are incredibly easy to make, making the process a really fun and rewarding activity to do with children. After they’ve baked up to a fluffy perfection, I like to double dunk them in the tangy lime glaze, ensuring every inch is coated in that delightful sweetness. For an extra pop of flavor and visual appeal, I then give them a delicate dusting of fresh lime zest. I recently received a mini donut baking pan as a gift, and I couldn’t resist making some adorable smaller versions, too. I absolutely adore the vibrant pink color of these donuts, don’t you? They just scream celebration and happiness!
I think these lovely donuts would be absolutely perfect for Mother’s Day, whether you’re baking them as a fun activity with the kiddos or preparing them as a thoughtful, delicious surprise for Mom. Imagine serving these pretty pink donuts with a cup of coffee or tea for a special Mother’s Day breakfast in bed. Any Mom would surely love to receive these beautiful, flavorful treats on her special day, making her feel cherished and appreciated. It’s a simple gesture that speaks volumes!
Mark your calendars! On Saturday, May 12th, 2018, your local Family Fare will be hosting a special kids’ event. Children are invited to create their very own Mother’s Day cards using provided supplies and templated cards, which will be available in each store. It’s a wonderful opportunity for little ones to express their creativity and love for their mothers.
In addition to the card-making fun, Family Fare will be offering all sorts of in-store specials on items perfect for Mother’s Day celebrations. Look out for fantastic deals on Steak and Seafood Dinners, a wide selection of Mother’s Day cards, beautiful balloons, fresh flowers, and fine wines. From selecting the perfect meal to finding thoughtful gifts, Family Fare is dedicated to helping you make Mother’s Day as special and memorable as it can possibly be for the wonderful women in your life.
Once you experience the pure deliciousness of these homemade Cherry Limeade Donuts, you’ll undoubtedly feel inspired to try your hand at other exciting donut flavors! The versatility of a baked donut recipe means your new donut pan won’t be gathering dust in the back of your cupboard. I have several other delightful donut recipes available right here on my website, ready to expand your baking repertoire.
From a comforting Baked Banana Donut dusted with fragrant spiced sugar, which offers a warm, nostalgic flavor, to an incredibly rich and decadent Double Chocolate Baked Donut that will truly blow your mind with its intense cocoa flavor. Both of these, along with my bright and zesty Lemon Glazed Donuts and the seasonal favorite Glazed Pumpkin Donuts, are perfect for keeping your kitchen filled with wonderful aromas and your new donut pan happily in use. Explore these recipes and discover your next favorite baked donut creation!
Love Donuts as much as we do? I have a whole board on Pinterest dedicated exclusively to them!
However you choose to spend Mother’s Day this year, I sincerely hope it’s a day filled with joy, love, and special moments in every way. Take a moment to pause, relax, and indulge a little – you absolutely deserve it! These Cherry Limeade Baked Donuts are the perfect way to add a touch of sweet, tangy happiness to your celebration.
LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!
Print Recipe
Cherry Limeade Baked Donuts
Ingredients
To Make the Donuts:
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup [i]Our Family[/i] sugar
- 1 cup [i]Our Family[/i] sour cream
- 1/4 cup [i]Our Family[/i] vegetable oil
- 1 Tablespoon lime zest
- 2 teaspoons Cherry LorAnn Oil
- Pink food coloring optional, as much as needed for desired color
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon [i]Our Family[/i] baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon [i]Our Family[/i] baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
To Make the Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups [i]Our Family[/i] powdered sugar
- 5 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon lime zest
Instructions
-
Make the Donuts – Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Spray one 6-count donut pan generously with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring a clean release. Set aside.
-
In the bowl of your stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the sour cream, eggs, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, lime zest, and cherry extract. Beat until thoroughly combined and smooth.
-
Gently fold in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just incorporated, being careful not to overmix. Add in pink food coloring, a few drops at a time, until you achieve your desired vibrant pink hue.
-
Carefully fill each cavity of the prepared donut pan about two-thirds full with the batter. Bake for approximately 13 to 15 minutes, or until the donuts are golden around the edges and springy to the touch when gently pressed.
-
Prepare Lime Glaze – While the donuts are baking, prepare your glaze. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar. Gradually drizzle in the fresh lime juice while continuously whisking until the glaze is smooth, lump-free, and has reached your desired consistency. You might not need all of the juice, or you might need a touch more sugar if it gets too thin. Adjust as needed until you’re happy with its thickness.
-
Once the donuts are baked, remove them from the pan. When they are cool enough to handle, carefully dunk the top of each donut into the prepared lime glaze. Allow any excess glaze to drip off, then place them on a wire rack to dry and cool completely. (For an extra thick and shiny coating, I love to double dunk mine!) Finish by topping with a sprinkle of fresh lime zest for an aromatic burst of flavor.
-
Repeat the baking process by spraying and filling the donut pan one more time with the remaining batter, following all the same steps. This recipe yields a total of approximately 10 donuts. (If your glaze starts to harden in between batches, simply pop it in the microwave for a few seconds and give it a quick stir to loosen it up.)
-
These baked cherry limeade donuts are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain their freshness and flavor.
Nutrition
Skip the drive-thru and easily make these famous Copy Cat Sonic Cherry Limeade drinks right in the comfort of your own home. In a matter of minutes, you’ll be sipping on summertime perfection, anytime you desire!
For even more delicious recipes, convenient store locations, and fantastic weekly specials, be sure to visit Family Fare online. They are a valuable resource for all your grocery and cooking needs!