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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Create the dry mixture by thoroughly whisking flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl until uniformly combined.
- In a separate container, blend buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, ensuring the liquid ingredients are smoothly integrated.
- Gently fold the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring carefully to avoid overmixing, which can result in dense donuts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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