Description
Red Velvet Donuts are a decadent, cake-like treat that combines the rich flavor of classic red velvet cake with the convenient shape and texture of a donut. These baked donuts are soft, moist, and topped with a creamy cream cheese glaze, giving them a sweet, tangy finish that complements the deep, cocoa-rich flavor of the red velvet batter. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or any special occasion, these donuts bring the best of both worlds together—delicious red velvet flavor and a fun donut shape!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Donuts:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredient Highlights
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk helps to keep the donuts moist and tender, adding a slight tang that complements the sweetness of the red velvet flavor.
- Cocoa Powder: A small amount of cocoa powder adds a rich, chocolatey undertone to the donuts, which is characteristic of red velvet.
- Red Food Coloring: The red food coloring gives these donuts their signature vibrant red hue, making them visually appealing for any occasion.
- Cream Cheese: The cream cheese glaze adds a creamy, tangy touch that balances the sweetness of the donuts perfectly.
Instructions
Prepare the Donut Batter:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan with non-stick spray or lightly oil it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg and sugar until smooth. Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar, mixing until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
- Fill the Donut Pan: Spoon the donut batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full. Smooth the tops with a spoon or spatula.
Bake the Donuts:
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- Make the Glaze: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Glaze the Donuts:
- Glaze the Donuts: Once the donuts have cooled completely, dip the tops into the cream cheese glaze. Let any excess glaze drip off, and place the glazed donuts on a wire rack to set.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 150-170 kcal
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Protein: 3g