EASY BAKED DONUT RECIPE -- one-bowl, quick vanilla doughnuts (2024)

Craving doughnuts? This easy baked donut recipe is made in one-bowl!

baked donut recipe

Oh my word. If you’re looking for a quick and easy and perfect-every-time baked donut recipe, here you go.

It can be made in one bowl and is a small enough batch, it’s just right for a last-minute donut craving.

The ingredients are similar to my favorite-ever chocolate cupcake recipe (although, without the chocolate), so as many baked donuts, this recipe is more on the “cake” side than the “deep-fried doughnuts” side of things. It’s moist inside with a light crust outside, without being too heavy.

Scroll to the end for a printable recipe and video.

more donut recipes

If you like this recipe, check out these:

• 2-ingredient pumpkin donuts
• pancake mix donuts
• biscuit dough donuts
• how to make donuts in the Babycakes Donut Maker

doughnut or donut?

Ever wonder why there are two terms, “doughnut” and “donut”? What is the difference?

“Doughnut” is the original spelling, first on record in the early 1800s. “Donut” is typically listed as a variant. The term “donut” appeared in the late 1800s as a contraction of the original, but didn’t really catch on until after 1950, when Dunkin’ Donuts hit the scene.

Traditional doughnut recipes use yeast and are deep-fried, so I personally tend to reserve the word “doughnut” for more traditional versions, since it’s made with, well, “dough.”

how to make baked donuts

You only need one bowl to make this baked donuts recipe. You will also need a donut pan. (This pan has 20 cavities, but they also have a set of two with six cavities. Since this recipe only makes 8 to 10 donuts, either is fine.)

you will need:

• Donut pan
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 16-inch disposable decorating bag (optional)

what to do:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Use non-stick cooking spray on ten of the donut baking pan cavities.

In a large bowl, place the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together.

Add the egg, 1/2 cup of cream, oil, and vanilla extract. Use a large whisk to mix it together. If the dough feels very thick, add up to 1/4 cup additional heavy cream.

Transfer the mixture to a decorating bag and snip 1-inch from the tip. Close with a rubber band. Pipe rings in about ten of the cavities.

Bake until edges are golden and donuts spring back when pressed gently, 12 to 15 minutes. Add toppings if you like.

what toppings can you add to donuts?

easy donut glaze

The easiest donut topping you can make is a simple donut glaze. Combine 1 tablespoon milk or cream with every 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar. Add a pinch of salt (optional). Whisk very well. To glaze all ten donuts in this recipe, combine 3 tablespoons milk with 1 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar.

To make the glaze thicker, add additional confectioner’s sugar. To thin, add additional milk or cream.

Spread on the donuts with a spatula or pipe with a disposable decorating bag. Top with sprinkles immediately, if using.

more donut toppings ideas:

• dust with confectioner’s sugar
• store-bought chocolate or vanilla frosting
• buttercream frosting
• drizzle with melted caramel candies
• drizzle with honey or maple syrup
• spread Nutella on the donuts