{Baked} Strawberry Shortcake Donuts: These baked shortcake donuts are dipped in cinnamon sugar and topped with whipped cream and strawberries to make the ultimate strawberry shortcake! Plus they’re baked, so, breakfast anyone? Winning. Day 5 of the 14 Days of Love!
This is going to be the year of the donuts. Yesss.
I’ve been dying for a donut pan, and haven’t been able to find one. Seriously, what is this world coming to? Donuts are essential to life.
But, I finally found one, on sale no less (!), and the donut recipes have been on repeat in my mind. It’s like a bad rerun of Food Network’s The Best Thing I Ever Ate ADD (attention donut disorder) edition. #HobbyLobbyforthewin
But, donuts just make life a little sweeter. Yep. Pun totally intended.
It’s been a long, looong while since I’ve had a donut, which is just so sad. Back in college, I lived near this 24-hour donut shop, which totally wreaked havoc on my one-dessert-a-day goals (I dreamt big). The small shack looked more like a rundown building than an award-winning donut shop, but this place delivered on the donut front. Have you ever had a fresh donut from the fryer? It’s insane.
And probably really, really fattening (I haven’t looked into it, because ignorance is bliss, but I imagine it’s pretty bad), which is part of the reason I chose to make baked donuts today! I don’t actually know how much healthier it is, but it’s got to be something, right?
When it comes to donuts, I’m not really picky. If I had to choose, it’d probably be a maple bar. I have a real thing for maple glaze.
But, I’ve never met a donut I didn’t like. I mean, I like them all–even the mini grocery store ones that come with powdered sugar on them. Best movie theatre snack ever.
What I love about these donuts is how much they resemble a traditional fried cake donut. They’re not identical, however, they have a very close texture, and it is so delicious. And when rolled in cinnamon sugar? You almost don’t even need to transform them into an epic strawberry shortcake.
Almost. Because, well, when you can do this, why wouldn’t you want to? You won’t regret it.
If you don’t have a donut muffin pan, these can be turned into donut muffins! Mini or regular-sized. I’d either slice them in half and spoon whipped cream and strawberries inside, or I’d top them with a dollop of cream and a strawberry!
Getting down to the logistics, the first rule about this batter is that it’s thick. Like really thick. So do not be alarmed when you make it; it’s supposed to be like that. 🙂
Next, because of its thickness, if you are using a donut pan, it does need to be piped in with either a piping bag or a large ziplock bag. I cut of the tip of the bag so there’s a 3/4″-1″ opening, and pipe the batter straight into the pan. If you are making muffins, you can just scoop it in.
Yields 6 Donuts
10 minPrep Time
10 minCook Time
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Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp butter, softened
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 Tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 Tbsp powdered sugar
- 4-5 Strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a donut pan and set aside.
- With a mixer, cream butter until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add in sugar and beat until well combined and white in color. Add in the egg, and beat until combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix together milk and vanilla extract.
- Alternately stir the flour mixture and milk mixture into the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
- Once just combined (be careful not to overmix), scoop batter into a piping bag and fill each donut cavity about 3/4 of the way full.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- While cooling, melt the butter in a microwaveable bowl or in a pot over the stovetop.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a separate bowl.
- Once the donuts are cool enough to handle, dunk both sides of the donut in the melted butter. Immediately roll the donuts in the cinnamon sugar mix, making sure it is well-coated. Allow to finish cooling on a wire rack.
- With a mixer on medium speed, beat the heavy cream until it begins to thicken. Add in powdered sugar and vanilla, and continue to beat until it reaches a whipped-cream consistency.
- Slice donuts in half, spread whipped cream over one of the halves, add sliced strawberries, and top with the other donut half!
- Enjoy!
Check out the other 14 Days of Love here:
Day 1: Funfetti Blondie Bites
Day 2: Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Day 3: {Healthy and Gluten-Free} Chocolate Peanut Butter Fruit Dip
Day 4: White Chocolate Cherry Almond Cookies
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