The Zesty Baked Lemon Donuts Recipe Everyone Will Love

Zesty lemon donuts have transformed my weekend breakfast routine into a burst of citrusy excitement.

These delightful treats combine the bright, tangy essence of fresh lemons with a soft, pillowy texture that melts in you.

Fragrant and light, each bite promises a sunshine-filled moment of pure joy.

The delicate glaze adds a sparkling finish that makes these donuts irresistible.

Simple ingredients come together quickly, creating a bakery-worthy dessert right in your kitchen.

Home bakers will adore how effortlessly these donuts come to life with minimal effort.

Grab a cup of coffee and let these golden, citrus-infused delights become your new morning ritual.

What Makes Baked Lemon Donuts So Good

• Quick Weekend Breakfast: Whip up these zesty lemon donuts in just 30 minutes, perfect for lazy weekend mornings when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Master this simple recipe with basic ingredients and easy steps, making it ideal for home bakers who are just starting their baking journey or want a foolproof donut recipe.
• Bright Citrus Celebration: Enjoy a burst of sunshine with these tangy lemon donuts that bring a refreshing twist to traditional baked treats, perfect for lifting spirits on dreary days or adding a pop of flavor to brunch gatherings.
• No-Fuss Baking Method: Skip the deep-frying mess and opt for these baked donuts that are healthier, easier to make, and require minimal cleanup, making them a stress-free option for home cooks.

Baked Lemon Donuts Ingredients You’ll Need

• All-Purpose Flour: The base for donut structure, provides a soft and tender crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning, choose fine-texture sugar for smooth mixing.
• Baking Powder: Helps donuts rise and become light, ensure it's fresh for best results.
• Baking Soda: Contributes to leavening and balances acidic ingredients like lemon juice.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Buttermilk, Eggs: Provide moisture and richness, create tender texture in donuts.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds flavor and helps create a soft crumb, use room temperature butter for easy mixing.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Bring bright citrus flavor, fresh lemons are best for most intense taste.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavor profile, pure extract recommended for best quality.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet glaze with perfect consistency.
• Yellow Sprinkles or Sanding Sugar: Optional decorative touch, adds visual appeal and slight crunch.

How To Bake Baked Lemon Donuts

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 180C (350F). Grab a donut pan and give it a quick spray with non-stick cooking spray or rub it down with a butter coating.

Step 2: Whip Together Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• A pinch of salt

Whisk these dry ingredients until they’re perfectly blended.

Step 3: Create Wet Ingredient Magic

• Buttermilk
• Fresh eggs
• Melted butter
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Bright lemon zest
• Vanilla extract

Stir until the mixture looks smooth and inviting.

Step 4: Marry the Ingredients

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Gently fold everything together – be careful not to overmix! The goal is a smooth, happy batter that’s just combined.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Molds

Transfer your batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off. Carefully pipe the batter into each donut cavity, filling them about two-thirds full.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the donuts turn a beautiful golden color. To check doneness, insert a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Rest

Let the donuts hang out in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Craft the Lemon Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Fresh lemon juice
• Lemon zest

Keep stirring until the glaze looks smooth and drizzle-worthy. Add more lemon juice if it needs to be more pourable.

Step 9: Glaze and Decorate

Dip each cooled donut into the glaze, letting the excess drip off. Place them back on the wire rack. For an extra touch of fun, sprinkle some yellow sprinkles or sanding sugar on top.

Enjoy your sunshine-packed lemon donuts – a burst of citrusy happiness in every bite!

Tips To Help With Baked Lemon Donuts

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour and sugar to ensure light, fluffy donuts every time. Digital kitchen scales work best for accuracy.
• Zest with Care: Grate lemon zest carefully, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. Use a microplane or fine grater for the most delicate and flavorful citrus shavings.
• Prevent Overmixing: Stop stirring the batter as soon as ingredients are combined. Overmixing creates tough, dense donuts by developing too much gluten in the flour.
• Glaze Temperature Trick: Let donuts cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from becoming runny. Room temperature donuts help the glaze set beautifully and stick smoothly.
• Storage Wisdom: Store these lemon donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For maximum freshness, enjoy within 24 hours of baking.

How To Store Baked Lemon Donuts Easily

• Preserve the delightful flavor of these lemon donuts by storing them carefully.
• Keep freshly glazed donuts at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days, ensuring they remain soft and delicious.
• Refrigerate the donuts if you want to extend their life to 3-4 days, placing them in a sealed container to prevent drying out.
• For longer storage, wrap individual donuts tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 2 weeks.
• Thaw frozen donuts at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying their zesty goodness again.

What Goes With Baked Lemon Donuts

• Brew Citrus-Infused Tea: Complement the lemon donuts with a refreshing Earl Grey or lemon herbal tea, enhancing the citrusy notes and providing a light, aromatic pairing that balances the sweetness of the glaze.
• Serve Creamy Yogurt Parfait: Create a side of Greek yogurt topped with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey, offering a tangy and cool contrast to the warm, zesty donuts while adding a nutritious element.
• Match with Limoncello Spritzer: Prepare a light limoncello cocktail mixed with sparkling water and a lemon slice, amplifying the lemon flavor and creating a sophisticated, bright accompaniment that elevates the dessert experience.
• Pair with Lavender Lemonade: Craft a homemade lavender-infused lemonade that echoes the citrus theme while introducing a subtle floral complexity that beautifully complements the donuts' bright lemon profile.

Fun Ways To Change Baked Lemon Donuts

• Lavender Lemon Dream: Infuse the batter with dried lavender flowers for a fragrant herbal touch, creating a sophisticated and delicate flavor profile that complements the bright lemon notes.
• Coconut Citrus Crunch: Fold shredded coconut into the batter and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top of the lemon glaze for a tropical-inspired texture and additional layer of flavor complexity.
• Almond Zesty Splash: Replace half the all-purpose flour with almond flour and add a splash of almond extract to the batter, then garnish with sliced almonds for a nutty and aromatic variation that enhances the lemon's brightness.
• Blueberry Lemon Burst: Gently fold fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter before baking, creating pockets of fruity sweetness that contrast beautifully with the tangy lemon glaze.

FAQs About Baked Lemon Donuts

• Why use buttermilk in this donut recipe?

Buttermilk helps create a tender, light texture and adds a subtle tangy flavor. It also interacts with baking soda to help the donuts rise and become fluffy.

• Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?

Yes, you can use a muffin tin as an alternative. The shape will be different, but they’ll still taste delicious. Just fill the muffin cups about 2/3 full with batter.

• How do I prevent my donuts from sticking to the pan?

Generously grease the donut pan with non-stick spray or butter before adding the batter. You can also use a light dusting of flour after greasing for extra insurance.

• What if I don't have fresh lemons for zest?

You can use bottled lemon juice and omit the zest, but fresh lemon zest provides the most vibrant and authentic lemon flavor. If possible, use fresh lemons for the best results.

Baked Lemon Donuts Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Zesty “baked lemon donuts” bring sunny Mediterranean charm to classic pastry perfection. Delicate citrus notes and tender crumb create a delightful breakfast or dessert companion you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Dry Ingredients:

• 200 g (1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
• 100 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 120 ml (½ cup) buttermilk (or milk + ½ tablespoon lemon juice)
• 2 large eggs
• 60 g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from ½ lemon)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze and Topping:

• 150 g (1 ¼ cups) powdered sugar
• 23 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
• Yellow sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by warming it to 180C (350F) and coating a 6-hole donut pan with a light layer of non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Create the dry mixture by thoroughly whisking flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl until uniformly combined.
3. In a separate container, blend buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, ensuring the liquid ingredients are smoothly integrated.
4. Gently fold the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring carefully to avoid overmixing, which can result in dense donuts.
5. Transfer the batter into a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a trimmed corner, allowing precise and clean filling of the donut pan cavities to approximately two-thirds full.
6. Position the filled donut pan into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring until the donuts develop a delicate golden hue and a toothpick emerges clean when inserted.
7. Allow the freshly baked donuts to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature.
8. Craft the lemon glaze by whisking powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until achieving a silky, smooth consistency, adjusting liquid as needed for optimal pouring texture.
9. Once donuts have completely cooled, immerse each one into the prepared glaze, letting excess drip away, and optionally sprinkle with yellow decorative sugar for added visual appeal.

Notes

• Precision Matters: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and consistent texture in your donuts.
• Zesting Technique: Grate lemon zest carefully, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath for a pure, bright citrus flavor.
• Mixing Magic: Fold wet and dry ingredients gently to prevent tough donuts, stopping when just combined to keep the texture light and tender.
• Glaze Perfection: Create a glossy, even glaze by whisking powdered sugar and lemon juice until silky smooth, adjusting liquid as needed for the right drizzling consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg