Baked Red Velvet Cake Doughnuts.
I didn’t want to buy a doughnut pan.
I didn’t want to bake doughnuts.
I especially didn’t want to bake doughnuts and post them on my blog.
I reallllly didn’t want to succumb to the doughnut pan trend.
I didn’t want to do something that I didn’t want to do.
You can see how well that all worked out. Obviously.
But seriously, I didn’t want to bake doughnuts when, let’s be real… they are pretty perfect all on their own after a big bath in the fryer. And they come out with a somewhat funky shape that looks like a doughnut but isn’t a real doughnut. See above.
And while we are on this topic, is it “doughnut” or “donut?” Is it maybe only “donut” because Dunkin’ Donuts says so? I like “donut” better but that’s simply because I’m lazy and would rather not type out an extra “ugh.” Truth!
So, remember when Ashley brought me those doughnuts last week? Yeah. The day after that I had to pack for a trip and work on a few recipes and do a bunch of other stuff that I normally do, but instead of that I drove over an hour just to buy a doughnut pan. Oh and that place didn’t even have a doughnut pan. So I had to drive somewhere else.
Then instead of doing all of the work I was supposed to do, I made about six batches of doughnuts. I took them to my parent’s house that night where they were promptly demolished. Then the next day, the morning of the day we were leaving for our trip, when I should have been doing laundry/cleaning/packing/showering/working, I made two more big batches of doughnuts to take as road trip snacks.
I was all excited and junk because now not only had I decided that I really loved doughnuts, but Mr. How Sweet already loved them. I mean… loved. I figured he’d be pumped. Until he came home from the airport that morning and relayed his breakfast and “power” snacks consisting of one jumbo blueberry muffin, one Cinnabon bun and two Krispy Kremes.
Anyway.
All I could think about on our trip was doughnuts. I wanted to make more and wanted to experiment and wanted to bake a billion apple cider doughnuts and live on them alone. But there were two very specific flavors that I couldn’t get out of my mind; two flavors that were really gnawing at my brain: mint chocolate chip and red velvet.
Mint chocolate chip was my number one choice, but someone in this house hates the chocolate + mint combo. And given my doughnut fixation, I did not think it would be wise to bake a large batch of doughnuts for me, myself and I. Apparently… doughnuts do not an everyday dinner make. Uh… who makes the rules here?
So. Instead of doing anything important last week, I baked red velvet doughnuts. I’m a total sellout. They were way too good not to share, and the good news is that I already own a deep fryer. Fried doughnuts coming up next! Me and the treadmill are BFF’s.
Baked Red Velvet Cake Doughnuts
[adapted from the doughnut recipe of the back of the Wilton pan]
makes 10-12 standard-sized doughnuts
1 cup cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup granulated sugar + 2 tablespoons
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup buttermilk + 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon red food coloring (I used “no taste red” gel)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, sugar, salt and baking powder, then mix with a spoon. Add in buttermilk and egg, mixing to combine. Stir in butter. In a small bowl, mix baking soda and vinegar together, then add in vanilla. Add the mixture to the doughnut batter, then stir in red food coloring. Using a pastry bag or spoon (I found a spoon was easier since this batter is more cake-like) fill each doughnut mold 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 7-8 minutes, thne let cool for 5 minutes before removing.
Notes: I tried these with all-purpose flour and while they did work, they weren’t nearly as cakey as the ones made with cake flour. Also, depending on your red food coloring brand, you may want to add it gradually and go by the color of the batter to determine the amount to add.
Whipped Cream Cheese Glaze
1/4 cup whipped cream cheese, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4-5 tablespoons heavy cream, or more depending on texture
In a bowl, whisk cream cheese vigorously until it smoothes out. Add in sugar, vanilla and cream one tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly. This glaze will be a bit thicker (almost like a thin frosting), so add more or less cream depending on your desired consistency. Either dip doughnuts or frost them with a small spoon, then cover in sprinkles or shaved chocolate.
P.S. The whipped cream cheese glaze will make you overdose. Just sayin’.
353 Comments on “Baked Red Velvet Cake Doughnuts.”
I don’t mind the overdose, in fact I always make extra glaze/icing and I dip almost anything :)
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Oh my lord! These donuts look incredible!!!! I love red velvet so I can only imagine how it tastes in doughnut form! I need to get my hands on a donut pan. :)
Really?!? Really. I also didn’t want to make donuts..but 4 stores later I now own donut pans, used donut pans now because I just pulled these out of the oven and am fighting off the kids and hubby so I can make the glaze. They smell divine…so thanks, really!
Let me know how they are! :)
I didn’t get one, just a bite of hubby as he and the 2 teenagers inhaled them. They were yummy…time to start experimenting ….happy family! Thanks
These look amazing! I’d be living on the treadmill if I baked donuts as I’d eat them all before they probably even cooled! I love this flavor creation and would have never thought up red velvet donuts!!! You rock!
Oh my. It’s official! I need a doughnut pan.
I gave in as well! At first, I thought what a waste of a doughnut!! But, before I knew it, I was purchasing a mini donut pan whipping up faux donut batter. It happens to the best of us but your red velvet ones look pretttty delish. :)
awesome! I love my donut pan, and although I don’t use it very much…when I do the treadmill becomes my bff too.
wow. i will not buy a donut pan (and i think it’s donut – because of dunkin). If i buy one I will not leave the kitchen and I will not eat anything other than donuts. I can see this becoming a winter addiction.
howcome they didnt turn out red?
I totally need a doughnut pan too ;) I like the white sprinkles with the white frosting!
How could anyone hate a mint chocolate combo? That’s just blasphemy. These little red velvet treats look sinfully good. I don’t own a donut pan ….. yet….
I just bought a mini donut pan – even more trendy! But these will be such cute mini donuts. I can;t wait to make them!
haha I did the same thing when I bought my doughnut pan. But I’ve only used the darn thing once! I was obsessing over getting it, couldn’t wait for the pan to show up on my front step, and when it did… well, I made the best batch of doughnuts I’ve ever had but then I forgot it existed. Thanks for the reminder!
so is this like a cupcake with a hole in the middle, or is the consistency different?
The consistency is definitely not as fluffy as a cupcake – it’s much denser like a cake donut! But if you don’t have a donut pan and try baking them in a muffin tin, it may seem a bit fluffier.
Well, even though you didn’t want to make doughnuts, I am glad you did. Now I have a recipe to use when I give in to making some doughnuts as well.
Yum. Just, yum. Your photos are so gorgeous! What’s your secret?
I just ordered mine from amazon. I too have joined the dark side.
And now I have to order a donut pan.
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Getting really into your blog is definitely making me re-consider this whole ‘only having desserts on the weekend’ business – deep fried doughnuts next – they are my FAVOURITE!!! YIKESS!!!!!! xox
You are KILLING me woman !!! I don’t think you realize how excited I get when your blog reaches my inbox, it is the light in my foodie life.
Girl, you did it again, always going above my expectations, every-time I think you couldn’t top your last blog recipe, you do! I am definitely making these! Maybe tonight!! Dam it! I told myself no sugar this week!!!
I must get a donut pan – this after I decided, no swore off, white sugar! Yikes!!
Girl, that ain’t funny! I am totally going to have to buy cupcake pans now. :( Those look tremendously good… and flavors are already rolling in my head!
Hey shout me a holler if you need a workout buddy, these donuts are going down!!!!
Love this red velvet recipe! Check out my mini cake doughnuts! http://kitchen-tested.com/2011/10/03/baked-mini-cake-doughnuts/
I adore these somethin fierce!!! You make the world a better place. :)
yes, please!
I just sold out and bought a donut pan too. I couldn’t help myself. Now I have another delicious recipe to make!
Wow! How could you resist! I’m dying for a donut pan!
Where did you find the donut pan?!? and please oh please, make the mint chocolate chip ones!!!! Anything with mint is my favorite and I cannot even imagine the gloriousness (is that a word?!) of a mint chocolate chip DONUT!!! Elliptical, here I come!
this is so funny! You remind me of me – procrastinating when I’m stressed. :) You should read about that in the enneagram profile (“Enneagram Made Easy” is my favorite book on the subject). I bet you’re a #3. :)
I broke down last month and bought a “donut” pan (btw, I spell it donut too b/c I’m lazy!lol). I made pumpkin oatmeal donuts with a chocolate glaze. I can’t wait to try your version. Did you buy the Wilton donut pan? My donuts were flat on the bottom, not perfectly round, I have the Wilton donut pan. Or did use the Bella Cucina donut maker?
These look beyond delicious! I need to go out and get a doughnut pan!
Bought my pan at 4:00, was making these babies by 5. With my cute apron on, my family loved the whole June Cleaver vibe! Thanks for the great recipe. Oh yeah, we started training for a marathon just yesterday. Best carb loading ever!
I love your blog. I love your writing technique. I love your amazing pictures. I love your recipes. Ok, that’s all. :)
I usually don’t look twice at anything related to donuts only because I already have enough guilt in my life with all of the baking that I do. I don’t need to add fried foods to this guilt! But the fact that these are baked may have me jumping on the donut bandwagon which I have tried so hard to resist! Thanks for sharing.
These look amazing… AND this is the exactly reason I haven’t bought a doughnut pan yet. I know I’d be whipping up a batch of these for dinner tonight. :)
Hey there,
I am glad you procrastinated with all these “donots” ;) hehe. They look delicious!!! Now, I am thinking of getting a doughnut pan as well. Thanks for passing the torch… Grrr.
Hi Jessica,
I’ve been making some of your recipes for quite some time now.. and all I can say is YOU’RE THE BEST! They always turn out well. Thank you so much!!!
I made these doughnuts yesterday and my golly, you’re right, they were finished right away! I also blogged about it here: http://www.barbiekins.com/2011/10/baked-red-velvet-cake-doughnuts.html
Thank you!!!
Can you use this recipe with a donut maker? Like the electric one they sell at king Arthur flour?
I can’t say for sure, I’ve never tried those. But I don’t see why not!
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OK I don’t like glazed donuts but love cake dougnuts. So after seeing your recipe, I ordered a Norton donut pan online (said it didn’t leave the crease around donut). Just got it and can’t wait to try it out today! Thanks for the inspiration.
Your blog is like going to the grocery store hungry. Amazing! It also usually makes me go to the store hungry to buy only the items to make a dessert or meal I shouldn’t be. haha
xoxohannah
These were good but tasted like a cupcake. Wish they tasted more like a cake doughnut. Fun to make and the 9 boys at my house today inhaled them.
Huge fan of red velvet! These looks delicious! I bought a doughnut pan a few weeks ago and made sweet potato baked doughnuts. They were a , huge hit with my family & my friends at work.
Another wonderful use for my doughnut pan! Glad you got sucked in so now I have a new recipe to try. ;-)
Oh my! Now I want a donut pan! Was thinking could be a good Christmas gift idea for my mom, but i dont think I can wait that long! LOL These look heavenly!I will definetely be making these soon!
Maybe you could pipe some of the cream cheese inside the donut…..that sounds yummy to me
Well you did one better than me–I didn’t even bake doughnuts, I just blogged about them! I actually came back to your site to link to your previous post on the gifted doughnuts and am glad (and not at all surprised) you eventually had to succumb to the trend. Cargo miniskirts, crocs–there are worse trends to hop on!