Sugar Coated Baked Donuts

Here’s a complete guide for making Sugar Coated Baked Donuts! This will walk you through every step, with tips for success and suggestions to personalize your donuts.

Sugar Coated Baked Donuts – Complete Guide

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup golden or granulated sugar (plus 2 tablespoons for coating)
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Equipment:

• 2 (6-cavity) donut pans (essential for the proper donut shape and texture)
• Non-stick cooking spray (for greasing the pans)
• Piping bag or ziplock bag (for easily filling the donut pans)
• Plastic bag (for tossing the donuts in sugar)
• Oven (preheated to 350°F)
• Toothpick (for checking doneness)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your donuts will bake evenly and achieve that golden-brown exterior.

Step 2: Prepare the Donut Pans

• Lightly spray two 6-cavity donut pans with non-stick cooking spray. This prevents the donuts from sticking to the pan as they bake. If you don’t have donut pans, you can use a muffin tin, but the texture and shape will be different.

Step 3: Melt the Butter

• Melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stove over low heat. Allow it to cool for a minute or two so that it doesn’t cook the eggs when added later.

Step 4: Mix the Wet Ingredients

• In a large bowl, whisk in the melted butter with 1/2 cup sugar until smooth.
• Add 3/4 cup milk, 1 large egg, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix well until all the wet ingredients are fully combined.

Step 5: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• In the same bowl, add 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Stir until the flour is fully incorporated, and the batter is smooth with no lumps. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donuts tough.

Step 6: Fill the Donut Pans

• Transfer the batter into a piping bag (or a ziplock bag with the tip cut off) to easily pipe the batter into the donut pan cavities.
• Pipe the batter into each donut cavity, filling each about 2/3 full. Overfilling can cause the donuts to overflow while baking, while underfilling may lead to flat donuts.

Step 7: Bake the Donuts

• Place the pans in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown. Check the doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a donut. If it comes out clean, they’re ready.

Step 8: Cool the Donuts

• Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. This helps the donuts set and makes them easier to remove from the pans.

Step 9: Coat the Donuts with Sugar

• After the donuts have cooled, remove them from the pans and place them in a plastic bag.
• Add 1 tablespoon of sugar to the bag and seal it shut. Gently toss the donuts inside the bag to coat them evenly with sugar. Repeat this process with the second batch of donuts and the remaining sugar.

Tips for Success:

• Butter Tip: Let the melted butter cool slightly before adding it to the batter. This prevents the eggs from scrambling when mixed in.
• Piping Tip: If you don’t have a piping bag, you can also use a spoon to fill the donut pans, but piping gives a cleaner and more even result.
• Donut Pan Tip: Make sure to spray your pans generously with non-stick cooking spray to ensure the donuts come out easily.
• Sugar Variations: Experiment with different sugars! If you want a deeper flavor, try using golden sugar instead of regular granulated sugar. You can also add cinnamon to the sugar mixture for a cinnamon-sugar coating.
• Check Doneness: Don’t skip the toothpick test! Donuts can go from perfectly baked to overdone quickly, so check early to avoid drying them out.

Optional Variations:

1. Glazed Donuts: Instead of coating with sugar, dip the donuts in a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
2. Chocolate-Coated Donuts: Melt chocolate chips and dip the donuts in the melted chocolate for a delicious coating.
3. Flavor Add-ins: Add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or fresh fruit to the batter for extra flavor.
4. Fruity Coating: Toss the donuts in powdered sugar mixed with a little fruit zest (like lemon or orange) for a refreshing twist.

Storing and Freezing:

• Storage: These donuts are best eaten fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Freezing: Freeze the cooled donuts in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature and coat them with sugar just before serving.

Why You’ll Love These Donuts:

• Quick and Easy: With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can whip up these donuts in no time.
• Baked, Not Fried: These donuts are healthier than traditional fried versions, with a light and fluffy texture.
• Customizable: Add your favorite flavors, coatings, or toppings for a personalized donut experience!

Enjoy your homemade sugar-coated baked donuts — perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a sweet treat any time of day!

Let me know if you need any more tips or variations! 😊