Strawberry Buttercream Frosted Donuts (Printable)
Moist baked donuts with luscious strawberry buttercream frosting, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
# What You Need:
→ Donut Batter
01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
05 - 1/2 cup milk
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar
11 - 3 tbsp strawberry puree (from blended fresh or frozen strawberries)
12 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
14 - Optional: Pink food coloring for a more vibrant color
# How-To:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a donut pan with butter or non-stick spray.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and fold gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donuts dense.
05 - Transfer the batter to the donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
06 - Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
07 - Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter on medium speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating on low until incorporated, then increase speed and beat until light and fluffy.
08 - Add the strawberry puree, vanilla extract, salt, and pink food coloring if using. Beat until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and spreadable.
09 - Once the donuts have cooled completely, spread or pipe the strawberry buttercream frosting generously over the tops. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Baking instead of frying means you get the donut experience without hovering over a pot of hot oil.
- The strawberry buttercream uses real fruit puree, so the flavor tastes like actual strawberries, not candy.
- They come together in under an hour, which makes them doable even on a lazy Sunday morning.
02 -
- These are best eaten the same day because the frosting softens the donut over time, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to two days.
- If your frosting seems too stiff, add one more tablespoon of strawberry puree to loosen it rather than milk, which keeps the flavor concentrated.
03 -
- Freeze dried strawberry powder dissolved into the frosting gives a more intense berry flavor than puree alone without adding extra moisture.
- For cleaner piping, chill the frosted donuts in the fridge for 15 minutes before serving so the buttercream sets firm.