The Best Baked Powdered Sugar Donuts: Fluffy, Homemade & Absolutely Delicious

There’s something uniquely comforting about a homemade donut, especially when it’s baked to fluffy perfection and generously coated in a sweet cloud of powdered sugar. These particular treats are a delightful twist on the classic, offering all the joy of a traditional donut without the fuss and mess of deep-frying. Imagine a tender, cake-like texture with a hint of warm spice, just waiting to be savored with your morning coffee or as a special afternoon snack. They are truly a simple pleasure, easy to make, and guaranteed to bring smiles.

Perfect for any celebration or just a cozy weekend morning, these homemade powdered sugar donuts come just in time for Mother’s Day. While they make a fantastic breakfast in bed, they’re also an incredibly fun activity to bake together with your children or grandchildren, creating sweet memories in the kitchen. After all, who doesn’t absolutely adore a donut?

Creating Sweet Memories: The Joys of Motherhood and Homemade Treats

As a mom, I know many of you have cherished memories of waking up to a proudly prepared breakfast in bed – perhaps a slightly crooked stack of toast, a glass of juice, and a lukewarm cup of coffee, all delivered by a bleary-eyed but determined little one. The sheer pride on their face as they watch you take every single bite, ensuring nothing is left, is a feeling unlike any other. It’s those moments, filled with innocent love and effort, that truly define motherhood.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced those precious moments multiple times as a mother. Another favorite memory of mine? The fresh-picked dandelion bouquets presented with such earnestness from the yard. These simple, wild flowers, gathered by tiny hands, always made me feel like I was truly winning at this parenting thing. They were reminders that the most meaningful gifts often come from the heart, not a store. This recipe embodies that same heartfelt simplicity – a beautiful, delicious gesture that says “I care” without needing elaborate fuss.

Today, I’m thrilled to share this particular recipe for homemade baked powdered sugar donuts. They are an ideal choice for a special occasion like Mother’s Day, or simply for adding a touch of sweetness to any ordinary morning. Their ease of preparation also makes them perfect for a fun baking project with kids. Imagine the laughter and sticky fingers as you dust these delightful treats together!

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The Unexpected Origin of My Favorite Powdered Sugar Donut Recipe

The story behind how I discovered this particular recipe for powdered sugar donuts is quite unique. Almost two years ago, I received an unexpected email from someone working for the U.S. Government. I know, it sounds like a strange turn, but bear with me! This individual was compiling a day planner for their employees, and the 2019 edition was going to be titled “United Sweets of America.” The concept was brilliant: each state would be represented by a beloved sweet from its home state. She asked if she could feature my Butter Brickle Cookies for Nebraska. How incredibly cool is that?! Of course, I enthusiastically said yes.

Late last year, I received a copy of the completed day planner. I excitedly browsed through all the delicious recipes from different states, admiring the culinary diversity of our nation. As I flipped through the pages, I landed on the section for “Montana” and discovered the recipe for these incredible Powdered Sugar Donuts. Many of the recipes were credited to various food bloggers, some of whom I even recognized. However, this particular donut recipe had no author listed. To this day, the person who contributed this gem remains a mystery. So, I extend my heartfelt thanks to that anonymous individual for sharing this fantastic powdered sugar donut recipe! They truly are amazing, and I’m so glad they found their way into my kitchen and now, into yours.

What Makes These Powdered Sugar Donuts So Special?

These aren’t just any donuts; they are essentially a homemade cake in donut form, designed to be baked, not fried. This means less oil, less mess, and a wonderfully light and tender result. The batter is subtly spiced with just a touch of nutmeg. Don’t let that fool you into thinking they taste like a “spiced cake” – not at all. The nutmeg simply enhances the flavor, giving them that exact, classic taste you expect when you bite into a perfect powdered sugar donut. It’s a flavor that evokes comfort and nostalgia, without being overpowering.

What truly sets these donuts apart is their texture. They are incredibly fluffy and moist, consistently rising perfectly in the donut pan. This is a significant achievement, as I can attest from countless experiments over the years; not every baked donut recipe delivers such a consistent, delightful rise. Furthermore, the ingredients required are staples that you most likely already have in your pantry: flour, sugar, eggs, butter, milk, and basic leavening agents. This makes them an easy, go-to recipe for when a donut craving strikes!

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Your Fluffy Powdered Sugar Donuts

Before you even begin mixing, make sure your oven is preheating to the correct temperature, and your donut pans are thoroughly prepared. I recommend greasing two, 6-compartment donut pans generously with Crisco or a good quality non-stick spray. This step is crucial to prevent sticking and ensure your beautiful donuts pop out easily. Once greased, set them aside, ready for the batter.

The mixing process is straightforward. In your stand mixer (or with a hand mixer), combine the softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat these together until the mixture is light and fluffy, usually a few minutes. This creaming process incorporates air, which contributes to the donuts’ light texture. Next, crack in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully combined and the mixture is smooth and cohesive. Then, it’s time to incorporate the dry ingredients – baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt – into the wet mixture. Finally, you’ll gradually alternate adding the flour and milk, beginning and ending with flour, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough donuts.

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This recipe is perfectly scaled to make one dozen delicious donuts. Once your batter is ready, carefully spoon it into the prepared donut pans. A trick I find helpful is to use a piping bag with the end snipped off, or a zip-top bag with a corner cut, to neatly pipe the batter into the wells. Alternatively, two spoons work just fine. Make sure to fill each cavity just below the rim – you’ll find you have exactly enough batter for all twelve. This ensures they rise beautifully without overflowing.

Bake the donuts for approximately 10 minutes, or until they are lightly golden and spring back when gently touched. Once out of the oven, let them cool in the pans for about 7 minutes. This short cooling period helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking when you remove them. After 7 minutes, carefully invert the pans to turn the donuts out onto a wire cooling rack to finish cooling. If you’re like me, you might find it hard to resist one warm!

The final, and arguably most satisfying, step is the dusting! While still slightly warm, generously dust both sides of each donut with powdered sugar. I typically use a fine-mesh sieve or a dedicated sugar shaker to get an even, delicate coating. Don’t be shy – the more powdered sugar, the better these delightful treats look and taste! The warmth of the donut helps the sugar adhere slightly, creating that iconic sugary crust.

Just look at them! They are truly so pretty, resembling little snowy crowns. Serve them immediately for the best experience. If you have any leftovers (a rare occurrence!), store them in an airtight container. Keep in mind that the powdered sugar tends to “disappear” or absorb into the donut over time when sealed, so you might want to re-dust them before serving later. It’s a small price to pay for such homemade deliciousness!

Here are some helpful items that make baking these donuts even easier:

• Donut Pan: Essential for perfectly shaped baked donuts.
• Sugar Shaker: For an even and mess-free dusting of powdered sugar.
• Mesh Stainless Strainer: Another great option for dusting, or sifting dry ingredients.
• Mini Rubber Spatula: Handy for scraping down bowls and mixing batter.

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Explore More Delicious Donut Recipes From My Kitchen:

If you’ve fallen in love with these powdered sugar donuts, you’ll be thrilled to know I have a passion for creating a variety of delicious baked donut recipes. Each one offers a unique flavor profile and makes for a fantastic homemade treat. Be sure to check out some of my other favorites:

• Baked Banana Donuts: A delightful way to use up ripe bananas, creating a moist and flavorful donut.
• Double Chocolate Baked Donuts: For the ultimate chocolate lover, rich and indulgent.
• Cherry Limeade Baked Donuts: A bright and zesty option that’s bursting with summery flavors.
• Glazed Baked Pumpkin Donuts: A seasonal favorite, perfect with a warm spiced glaze.
• Baked Glazed Lemon Donuts: Light, refreshing, and topped with a sweet and tangy lemon glaze.
• Baked Chocolate Covered Strawberry Donuts: A romantic and decadent treat, perfect for sharing.

I hope you enjoy making and sharing these delightful baked powdered sugar donuts as much as I do. They are a true testament to the simple joys of homemade baking, perfect for celebrating special occasions or simply elevating an everyday moment into something sweet. Happy Mother’s Day, and now, it’s time to make the donuts!

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Baked Powdered Sugar Donuts

Fluffy homemade cake donuts, baked to perfection, then dusted with powdered sugar.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast/Brunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Powdered Sugar Donuts

Servings: 1 dozen

Calories: 273kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter softened
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 2/3 cups flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar for dusting (I used a little more than this)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees and grease 2 standard sized donut pans. (6 donut size)
• In your mixer, beat together: butter, oil and sugars. Add in eggs, beat until combined.
• Mix in baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, salt and vanilla.
• Gradually mix in flour and milk, alternating, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until it’s all blended together well.
• Spoon the batter into prepared donut pans, filling just below the rim.
• Bake the donuts for 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool in pans for about 7 minutes before turning onto a wire cooling rack.
• Evenly coat in confectioner’s sugar.

Notes

Typically I spray my pans with non-stick spray. This time I used Crisco to grease them.

Best eaten right away, as the powdered sugar will tend to disappear when they are sealed in an airtight container to keep them fresh. Of course, you can just re-sugar them! 😉

I found this recipe in the United Sweets of America, no author was named.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 143mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g