Let’s make some delicious Baked Lemon Donuts. These donuts are a perfect blend of tangy and sweet, offering a light and zesty flavor in every bite.

Made with real lemon juice and zest, they are baked instead of fried, making them a healthier option without compromising on taste. Finished with a lemon glaze, these donuts are sure to be a hit for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful snack.

Ingredients Needed for This Recipe

For the Donuts:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt
Zest of 1 lemon
1/2 cup buttermilk

1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon milk

Additional lemon zest for garnish (optional)

Serving Size: Makes about 8 donuts

Instructions for Making Baked Lemon Donuts

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest.
In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, beaten egg, melted butter, and lemon juice. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Spoon the batter into the greased donut pan, filling each one about 3/4 full. You can also use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner cut off to pipe the batter into the pan for neater donuts.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and spring back when touched. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more lemon juice or powdered sugar if needed. The glaze should be thick but pourable.
Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze, then return to the wire rack to let the glaze set. Sprinkle with additional lemon zest for garnish if desired.

Serve and enjoy your homemade baked lemon donuts!

Tips for Perfecting the Recipe

Measure Ingredients Accurately: Baking is a science, so precise measurements are crucial. Use a kitchen scale for dry ingredients if you have one. This ensures that your donuts have the right texture and rise beautifully.

Zest and Juice Your Lemons Properly: The zest and juice of fresh lemons are key to achieving that bright, citrusy flavor. When zesting, only grate the outer yellow skin, not the bitter white pith. For juicing, roll the lemon on your countertop before cutting and squeezing to maximize the juice you get.

Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mix the batter until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough donuts. A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine and will not affect the final product.

Use a Piping Bag for Filling the Donut Pan: For evenly shaped donuts, transfer your batter to a piping bag and pipe it into your donut pan. This method is cleaner and allows for more control than spooning the batter.

Monitor Your Oven Temperature: Oven temperatures can vary, so it’s a good idea to use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate baking temperatures. Baking the donuts at the right temperature is crucial for them to rise properly and cook evenly.

Let Donuts Cool Before Glazing: Allowing the donuts to cool completely before adding the glaze helps the glaze set properly. If the donuts are too warm, the glaze may melt and become too thin, soaking into the donuts rather than coating them.

Serving Suggestions

Breakfast or Brunch: Serve these lemon donuts for a special breakfast or brunch. Pair with fresh fruit, yogurt, or a cup of coffee or tea for a complete meal.

Afternoon Tea: These donuts are perfect for an afternoon tea. Their light, citrusy flavor pairs wonderfully with a variety of teas, such as Earl Grey or chamomile.

Dessert: While these donuts make a great morning treat, they’re also a fantastic light dessert. Serve them after dinner with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special touch.

Customize Your Toppings: Beyond the lemon glaze, consider adding toasted coconut, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of poppy seeds to the glaze for added texture and flavor.

Storage Tips

Room Temperature: Store glazed or unglazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keep them in a cool, dry place to prevent the glaze from melting.

Refrigerating: If you prefer to refrigerate your donuts, they can last up to 5 days. However, be aware that refrigeration can cause them to dry out faster. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Freezing: Un-glazed donuts can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight at room temperature and add glaze before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these donuts without a donut pan? Yes, if you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin. Fill each muffin cup about 1/4 full to make donut “holes” instead of full-sized donuts.

Can I use lemon extract instead of fresh lemons? While fresh lemon juice and zest provide the best flavor, you can use lemon extract in a pinch. Use 1 teaspoon of extract in place of the zest and juice in the batter. Adjust to taste, but remember that extracts are more concentrated in flavor.

Why did my donuts turn out dense? This could be due to overmixing the batter or measuring the flour incorrectly. Be sure to spoon and level your flour or use a kitchen scale for accuracy. Mix the ingredients until just combined for the best texture.

Can I make these donuts vegan? Yes, you can adapt the recipe to be vegan. Use plant-based milk mixed with a teaspoon of vinegar in place of buttermilk, a flax egg instead of a regular egg, and vegan butter or coconut oil instead of dairy butter.

How do I know when the donuts are done baking? The donuts should be lightly golden and spring back when touched. You can also insert a toothpick into one of the donuts; if it comes out clean, they’re ready to come out of the oven.

Baked Lemon Donuts

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Let's make some delicious Baked Lemon Donuts. These donuts are a perfect blend of tangy and sweet, offering a light and zesty flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt
Zest of 1 lemon
1/2 cup buttermilk

1 egg lightly beaten
2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon milk

Additional lemon zest for garnish optional
Serving Size: Makes about 8 donuts

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest.
In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, beaten egg, melted butter, and lemon juice. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Spoon the batter into the greased donut pan, filling each one about 3/4 full. You can also use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner cut off to pipe the batter into the pan for neater donuts.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and spring back when touched. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more lemon juice or powdered sugar if needed. The glaze should be thick but pourable.
Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze, then return to the wire rack to let the glaze set. Sprinkle with additional lemon zest for garnish if desired.