Red Velvet Donuts

Short Description

Indulgent and tender red velvet donuts with a hint of cocoa and a luscious cream cheese glaze—perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich, velvety texture with a delicate cocoa undertone

• Vibrant red hue makes them visually stunning and festive

• Balanced sweetness complemented by tangy cream cheese glaze

• Ideal for celebrations or cozy indulgence

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

• All-purpose flour

• Unsweetened cocoa powder

• Granulated sugar

• Baking powder

• Baking soda

• Salt

• Buttermilk

• Large eggs

• Unsalted butter, melted and cooled

• Red food coloring (liquid or gel)

• Vanilla extract

• Cream cheese (for glaze)

• Powdered sugar (for glaze)

• Milk or cream (for glaze)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and grease a donut pan well.

2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. In another bowl, mix melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined.

4. Beat in eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring to the wet mixture.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined—do not overmix.

6. Fill the donut pan cavities about two-thirds full with batter.

7. Bake for approximately 10–12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.

8. Allow donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

9. To make the glaze, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and enough milk or cream until smooth and pourable.

10. Dip each cooled donut into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off, then return to the rack to set.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: Makes approximately 12 donuts (depending on pan size).

• Timing:

  • Preparation time: ~15 minutes

  • Baking time: ~10–12 minutes

  • Cooling and glazing: ~10 minutes

  • Total time: ~35–40 minutes

Variations

• Chocolate Glaze: Replace cream cheese glaze with a rich chocolate ganache.

• Vanilla Glaze: Use a simple vanilla icing for a different flavor profile.

• Sprinkles: Add colorful sprinkles or crushed nuts to the glazed donuts for a festive touch.

• Spiced Version: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm, spiced twist.

Storage/Reheating

• Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

• For longer storage, refrigerate glazed donuts for up to 5 days or freeze unglazed donuts for up to 1 month.

• To reheat: Warm in a preheated oven at 300 °F (150 °C) for 5–7 minutes, or microwave briefly (about 10–15 seconds) to restore softness.

FAQs

1. Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, substitute regular milk by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice per cup of milk; let sit for 5 minutes before using.

2. Can I make these donuts in a muffin pan instead?

Yes, you can. The batter works well in a muffin pan—bake for about 14–16 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

3. Can I skip the glaze?

Absolutely. Donuts are delicious on their own or lightly dusted with powdered sugar.

4. Can I use oil instead of butter?

Yes, substitute melted oil in a 1:1 ratio for butter; it may slightly alter the flavor and texture.

5. Can I make these donuts vegan?

You can attempt a vegan version by using flax or chia eggs (1 tbsp ground + 3 tbsp water per egg), plant-based milk, vegan butter, and a vegan cream cheese substitute for the glaze.

6. Can I freeze these donuts?

Yes, freeze either glazed (wrapped well) or unglazed donuts in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

7. Why is my batter not red enough?

Gel food coloring usually delivers a more vibrant color than liquid; you can also increase the amount slightly for deeper red hue.

8. How do I avoid dense donuts?

Be careful not to overmix the batter—overmixing develops gluten, which leads to denser texture.

9. Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips?

Yes, fold in mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts gently into the batter before baking.

10. Are these donuts suitable for high-altitude baking?

At high altitude, you may need to reduce baking powder slightly and increase oven temperature by 15–25 °F. Adjust as needed for your altitude.

Conclusion

These red velvet donuts are a delightful and easy-to-make treat with a lovely balance of cocoa richness and creamy sweetness. Their vibrant red hue makes them exceptionally eye-catching, and with endless variation opportunities—from glazes to mix-ins—they’re a versatile favorite. Whether for a special occasion or everyday indulgence, they’re sure to impress.

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