Funfetti Cake Donuts Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun and festive treat that combines the best of both worlds—donuts and cake—then these Funfetti Cake Donuts are just what you need! With a light, fluffy texture and colorful sprinkles throughout, these donuts are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. Perfect for birthdays, brunches, or just because, these sweet donuts are an easy and delightful way to brighten up any morning or occasion.

Unlike traditional fried donuts, these cake donuts are baked to perfection, making them lighter and a little healthier (but still indulgent enough to satisfy your sweet tooth). Topped with a sweet glaze and more sprinkles, they’re the ultimate treat for anyone who loves the classic combination of cake and sprinkles. Whether you’re enjoying them with a cup of coffee or serving them at a party, these Funfetti Cake Donuts are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Easy to Make

This recipe doesn’t require any frying, making it much simpler and less messy than traditional donuts. Plus, it’s ready in under 30 minutes!

2. Festive and Fun

The colorful sprinkles not only make these donuts visually appealing, but they also add a pop of fun and cheer to any event or celebration.

3. Soft, Fluffy Texture

With the perfect cake-like texture, these donuts are soft, airy, and perfectly sweet. They’re the perfect balance between a cake and a donut.

4. Customizable

You can use different types of sprinkles to match any theme or occasion, and the glaze can be flavored in countless ways to suit your preferences.

5. Great for Gifting or Parties

These Funfetti Cake Donuts make a fantastic gift or party favor, and their cheerful colors make them an instant hit at any event.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Unsalted butter
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Vanilla extract
  • Rainbow sprinkles (for the dough and decoration)
  • Powdered sugar (for the glaze)
  • Milk or heavy cream (for the glaze)
  • Vanilla extract (for the glaze)

Variations

  • Chocolate Funfetti Donuts: Replace half of the all-purpose flour with cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist on these classic funfetti donuts.
  • Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend to make these donuts gluten-free.
  • Different Glaze Flavors: Instead of vanilla glaze, try making a strawberry glaze, chocolate glaze, or even a lemon glaze to change up the flavor.
  • Add-ins: Try adding mini chocolate chips or nuts like chopped pecans to the donut batter for extra texture.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Donut Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan with non-stick spray or lightly coat it with butter.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until well combined.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, melt the butter and then mix in the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Step 4: Fold in the Sprinkles

Gently fold in a few tablespoons of rainbow sprinkles into the batter. Be careful not to overmix to avoid the colors running.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. Smooth the tops with a spatula.

Step 6: Bake the Donuts

Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Make the Glaze

In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if the glaze is too thick.

Step 8: Glaze the Donuts

Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack and immediately sprinkle with additional rainbow sprinkles.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Let the glaze set for a few minutes, then serve and enjoy your colorful, delicious Funfetti Cake Donuts!

Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can result in dense donuts, so be sure to mix until just combined.
  • Use Fresh Sprinkles: For the best color and texture, use fresh sprinkles. Old sprinkles may lose their vibrancy.
  • Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the donuts as they bake to ensure they don’t dry out. Check with a toothpick for doneness.
  • Cool Before Glazing: Make sure the donuts have cooled slightly before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.

How to Serve

These Funfetti Cake Donuts are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or milk. Serve them as part of a dessert table at a birthday party, shower, or holiday celebration. You can also package them in a cute box for a fun homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week, but note that the glaze may harden a bit in the fridge.

Freezing

These donuts freeze well! Simply place the cooled donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them for a few hours. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. To enjoy, just thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Reheating

To reheat frozen donuts, simply pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or place them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes to warm through.

FAQs

1. Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

Yes! You can also make them as mini bundt cakes or simply shape them into round cakes and bake them on a baking sheet.

2. Can I use a different type of milk?

Yes, you can substitute any type of milk, such as almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk, for the regular milk.

3. Can I use a different type of sprinkles?

Yes! You can use any type of sprinkles, such as chocolate sprinkles, pastel sprinkles, or even nonpareils, to decorate the donuts.

4. How can I make the glaze thicker?

To make the glaze thicker, simply add more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, add a bit more milk to reach your desired consistency.

5. Can I make these donuts gluten-free?

Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular all-purpose flour to make these donuts gluten-free.

6. How do I prevent the sprinkles from melting into the donuts?

Be sure to let the donuts cool completely before glazing them and adding the sprinkles to keep them vibrant.

7. Can I add chocolate chips to the batter?

Yes! Mini chocolate chips would make a great addition to the batter, adding even more sweetness and texture.

8. How can I make these donuts dairy-free?

To make these donuts dairy-free, substitute the butter with a dairy-free butter alternative and use dairy-free milk in the glaze.

9. Can I skip the glaze?

Yes, the donuts are delicious on their own without the glaze. You can also dust them with powdered sugar for a lighter topping.

10. How do I make these donuts more flavorful?

You can add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter to enhance the flavor. You can also experiment with different extracts like almond or lemon.

Conclusion

Funfetti Cake Donuts are the ultimate combination of fun, flavor, and texture. They’re soft, fluffy, and filled with festive sprinkles that make them perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying them for breakfast, sharing them at a party, or gifting them to a friend, these donuts are sure to be a hit. With simple ingredients, quick preparation, and endless customization options, this recipe will become your go-to for a sweet, celebratory treat!

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Funfetti Cake Donuts Recipe


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  • Author: Julie
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 donuts 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Funfetti Cake Donuts are the perfect treat for any celebration! Soft, fluffy, and packed with colorful sprinkles, these donuts are a fun twist on the classic cake donut. Top them with a sweet glaze or enjoy them as they are for a colorful, delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

For the donuts:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2/3 cup buttermilk (or regular milk if you don’t have buttermilk)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles (plus more for topping)

For the glaze (optional):

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 12 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Rainbow sprinkles (for decorating)

Instructions

  • Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan with cooking spray or lightly butter it.
  • Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  • Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
  • Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix. Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles, being careful not to stir too much, so the colors don’t bleed.
  • Fill the Pan: Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 of the way full.
  • Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Make the Glaze (Optional): In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk to reach your desired consistency.
  • Glaze and Decorate: Once the donuts are completely cool, dip them into the glaze or drizzle it over the top. Sprinkle additional rainbow sprinkles on top while the glaze is still wet.
  • Enjoy!: Serve your Funfetti Cake Donuts for breakfast, a snack, or as a fun treat for any occasion!

Notes

  • These donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • You can also add more sprinkles to the batter if you want even more color.
  • If you prefer, you can skip the glaze and simply enjoy the donuts as they are!
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Sweet Treats
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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