Our local farmers market opened up last week and we could not wait for all the fresh berries and produce. We love to incorporate it into our baking and cooking.
These strawberry donuts are perfect for a summer morning breakfast or even for an afternoon treat. Made using our vanilla cake mix and vanilla frosting mix as the base they are top 14 allergen free, gluten free and vegan – yet no one will believe that.
These are super easy to make too with no hot oil needed, just a donut pan and your oven. Plus in addition to our mixes and ingredients needed for those you’ll also need some strawberries of course, and we also use a secret ingredient in them… freeze dried strawberries. These are so moist and super strawberrtastic (yea, that’s a new word I am coining.)
The batter is fairly quick and easy to put together. The first step to make these is to gather all your tools and ingredients.
Strawberry Donuts
Tools Needed:
- Mixing Bowl(s)
- Spatulas
- Mixing Spoon(s)
- Whisk
- Stovetop and Saucepan
- Blender
- Measuring Cups / Spoons
- Piping bag or Ziploc bag
- Donut Pan
- Non-Stick Cooking Spray
This recipe will make 12 donuts plus 3 cupcakes and can be easily converted down to a half batch.
Strawberry Donut Ingredients Needed:
- 1 x Kate’s Safe & Sweet Vanilla Cake Mix
- 3 1/2 tbsp canola oil
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup reduced strawberry puree* (made with fresh strawberries)
*Strawberry Puree Instructions (this will make enough for the donut and glaze):
- Puree 1 cup of strawberries. Stirring occasionally simmer the puree over low-medium heat until you’re left with 1/2 cup or a little over a 1/2 cup. This process can take about 20 minutes and is something you can do ahead as you want to use it when it is cool. We don’t add any sugar here just the puree made of pure strawberries. Once you remove from the heat allow it to cool. You can cover and place in the fridge overnight just bring out a little before making the donuts so it’s closer to room temperature.
Donuts Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray the sides and bottom of your donut pan and set aside.
- Stir together the milk and apple cider vinegar.
- In a large bowl, blend the cake mix, oil, vinegar and milk mixture, and strawberry puree together until smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Using a piping bag or ziplock place batter inside. Snip a small end of the bag and pour evenly into donut pan.
- Bake on middle rack for 12-15 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove the baking pan(s) from the oven and place a wire cooling rack.
- While the donuts are cooling prepare the glaze below.
Tip: You want to bake until the donuts and donut holes are cooked through, set, and springy to the touch. Let the donuts cool slightly while you make the strawberry glaze.
Strawberry Glaze Ingredients Needed:
- 1 cup of Kate’s Safe & Sweet Vanilla Frosting Mix
- 3 tablespoons reduced strawberry puree, or as necessary for consistency* (see above for how to make this)
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries*
Above recipe can be doubled or tripled which would be using the entire bag of frosting mix which is ~3 cups.
*Freeze Dried Strawberry Instructions:
- You can find freeze-dried strawberries at the regular grocery store in the dried fruit aisle. Be sure not to use chewy or gummy dried strawberries, these won’t work.
- Grind the freeze-dried strawberries in a blender to fine powder.
Glaze Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl add the frosting mix.
- Slowly drizzle the strawberry juice while whisking until smooth and combined.
- Fold in the find powder of the freeze-dried strawberries
You may need to play with the frosting mix and strawberry juice amounts slightly as necessary for desired consistency and flavor.
Dip the top of each donut in glaze and return the donuts back to the cooling rack to sit until the glaze has set, about 10 minutes. If you can’t wait for the glaze to harden that is fine too- they are yummy both ways. Enjoy!
You can also make a cake with this recipe – we will be sharing a new recipe page for that soon. And if you’re looking for more strawberrtastic recipes you can grab our strawberry frosting recipe here.
Leave us a comment and let us know how you like to use fresh berries and fruits in your baking and cooking.
