Cake Donuts

Whether you are a deep-fried cake donut or a yeast donut person, you cannot deny this oven-baked cake donut recipe's simplicity, taste, and versatility.

You can whip up the batter in 2 minutes, plus our recipe is without eggs and so easy to adapt for vegans. For chocolate lovers, here's our easy chocolate glazed donuts recipe.

Cake donuts bake in 20 minutes, meaning you can make them last minute in less than half an hour, which is fantastic!

They hold up perfectly and have a firm, yet airy cake-like texture. They are excellent for dunking in milk or latte, lasting for several days, and are fulfilling and delicious.

Louise loves cake donuts, while I prefer a light and airy yeast donut. Here are a couple of quotes from an entertaining article from the Huffington Post on cake vs. yeast/raised donuts:

“Cake donuts are just alternatively shaped cupcakes or muffins. They live an existence of lies.”

“Cake donuts 4 life. <― also going to be my new tattoo”.

Thompson, J. R. (2017, June 2). Which Is The Superior Donut: A Cake Donut Or A Yeast Donut? Huffington Post.

So which team are you on - cake or yeast donut?

Flour

All-purpose flour is all you need.

Sugar

You can use white or brown sugar.

Milk

Any milk will do. We use almond milk. Other plant milks work equally well, including soy milk, oat milk, and rice milk.

Vegetable oil

We recommend neutral-flavored vegetable oil such as sunflower or canola oil.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract helps infuse the batter with a cozy warm vanilla flavor. You can substitute the seeds of a real vanilla pod for vanilla extract.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a key ingredient in our cake donuts; we add it to the batter and topping.

If you make a winter edition donut close to the holidays, you can add other spices such as grated nutmeg, all-spice, and ginger.

Salt

A pinch of salt helps tie together the other flavors and make the cake donuts more delicious.

Baking powder

Baking powder is the raising agent in this recipe, and it's essential.

If unsure if your baking powder is still active, you can test it by pouring one cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoon of baking powder in a small bowl. If the powder foams, it means it's active, and you can use it.

This recipe does not require baking soda or vinegar.

Sugar and cinnamon coating

We like to top our donuts with a simple cinnamon-sugar mix. You'll need a little milk to make the top of the donut wet, sugar, and cinnamon.

You can, of course, top them with a simple glaze and sprinkles, too, if you like.

Equipment

You'll need a 12-donut baking pan.

Make the donut batter

Preheat the oven to 340°F or 170°C. Brush your donut baking pan with butter or dairy-free butter.

To a large mixing bowl, add flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Whisk to combine.

Add milk, oil, and vanilla extract and whisk the donut batter until combined, without overmixing.

With the help of a spoon, pour the mixture into the donut pan, filling the molds a little over half full.

Tip: fill the mold less than you think, and never more than ¾ to the top, or your cake doughnuts will turn out without holes.

Bake the donuts

Bake at 340°F or 170°C for 20 minutes. Let them cool down for 10 minutes in the pan, then take them out and serve or coat them in cinnamon sugar.

Apply cinnamon sugar

Fill one bowl with milk and the other with cinnamon stirred in sugar.

Dip the top of the donuts in the milk, then dip it in the cinnamon sugar and arrange them on a wire rack to cool.

You can serve them immediately with tea, coffee, milk, or a latte.

Chocolate glazed donuts

If you like chocolate and chocolate glaze, try these 30-minute chocolate glazed donuts that are easy to make and perfect for a lazy Sunday.

Homemade Yeast Donuts

Soft, light, and airy, our easy vegan yeast donut recipe will produce the best donuts you'll ever have. It's excellent for baking in the oven or deep-frying.

Check out our vegan donuts recipe.

Carrot and orange cake donuts

These are original, moist, delicious cake donuts made with our orange and carrot cake batter. These are perfect for you if you are looking for a new donut flavor.
Check out our carrot and orange cake recipe.

Make Ahead: this recipe is excellent for making ahead because the donuts keep very well for several days.

Room temperature: store donuts in a food-grade plastic bag or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 - 5 days. If they get a little dry on the last day, warm them in the microwave for 1 minute to bring out the moisture in the dough.

Freezer: cake donuts are great for freezing. Let them cool down completely, arrange them in a freezer-friendly bag and freeze them for up to 6 months.

Thaw: defrost in the microwave for a couple of minutes or fridge over several hours.

More Easy Baking Ideas

If you love no-fuss baking, get inspiration from these easy and tasty baking ideas:

• Easy vanilla cake with vegan cream cheese frosting and a light and airy crumb.
• 1-bowl banana bread with just 7 ingredients, a super easy sweet treat.
• 30-minute apple muffins: with tender pieces of apple, a wholesome snack, and a dessert idea.
• Favorite apple cake: a reader's favorite easy cake with apple, cinnamon, and a moist and light cake crumb.
• Cinnamon-sugar-covered pear cake: an Italian-inspired sweet and pear-tender cake.

Get ready for your next Sunday brunch with these bright and easy brunch recipes:

• Potato frittata with chickpea flour and leek, perfect for meal prep and healthy breakfast.
• Oatmeal pancakes with apple compote, an easy 20-minute recipe.
• 5-minute tofu scramble: pairs perfectly with toasted bread and sliced avocado.
• Banana pancakes: ready in 20 minutes, with an airy and light pancake consistency.