Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe
Say hello to your new favorite treat: Blueberry Cake Donuts! Imagine tender, bakery-style donuts bursting with wild blueberries and finished with a glossy, natural blueberry glaze. Every bite is a celebration of juicy berries and soft, cakey sweetness. Whether you’re baking a batch for weekend brunch or a quick weekday snack, these Blueberry Cake Donuts are delightfully simple and sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t need anything fancy for these donuts — just a few staple ingredients and some juicy blueberries. Each one plays a role in creating that perfect crumb and vibrant glaze. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a tip for each ingredient to guarantee success every time.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter for the richest flavor, and don’t forget to reserve a little extra for greasing your donut tin.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the batter and helps give structure to the donuts.
- Whole Milk: Whole milk keeps the crumb moist while adding delicious richness.
- Egg: A single large egg helps the donuts rise and adds a lovely tender texture.
- Vanilla Extract: This adds warmth and fragrance, both in the batter and in the glaze — don’t skip it!
- All-Purpose Flour: Standard all-purpose flour keeps things simple and dependable.
- Baking Powder: This is your main leavener, assuring a light, cakey donut every time.
- Salt: Just the right amount of salt balances the sweetness and brings all those flavors to life.
- Wild Blueberries: Opt for wild blueberries if you can — they’re small, super sweet, and pack in much more flavor (fresh or frozen both work!).
- Powdered Sugar: Also called icing or confectioners sugar, it creates the luscious glaze on top.
How to Make Blueberry Cake Donuts
Step 1: Prep Your Pan & Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF (180ºC) so it’s ready to go once your batter is mixed. Lightly grease a 6-hole donut tin with melted butter to keep your Blueberry Cake Donuts from sticking, then set up a piping bag with a large round tip. Trust me, this step makes the donut shaping super simple and mess-free!
Step 2: Melt the Butter
Place your butter in a large, microwave-safe mixing bowl, and heat it until melted — this usually takes about 20 to 30 seconds. Using a large bowl means you can mix everything in one place and cut down on dishes later.
Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
Into the melted butter, whisk in the sugar, milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is completely smooth; this ensures your Blueberry Cake Donuts stay light and fluffy, not dense.
Step 4: Sift and Add Dry Ingredients
Using a fine mesh sieve, sift the flour directly over your wet mixture, then add the baking powder and salt. Gently fold everything together with a rubber spatula until the flour is only partially mixed in. Folding gently keeps the texture soft and cake-like.
Step 5: Fold In the Blueberries
Scatter in your wild blueberries and continue folding gently until everything is just combined — no streaks of flour should remain. If you’re using frozen berries, don’t worry if the batter turns a little purple; it only adds to the charm of these Blueberry Cake Donuts!
Step 6: Fill the Donut Tin
Spoon the donut batter into your prepared piping bag and pipe a neat ring into each donut mold. This method gives the donuts their perfect shape. Use a bit of water on your fingertip to smooth the top of each donut for the most beautiful finish once they’re baked.
Step 7: Bake
Bake the donuts in the preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes, just until they’re lightly golden and spring back when touched. Let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing. This helps preserve their delicate, cake-like texture.
Step 8: Make the Blueberry Glaze
Gently heat your reserved blueberries (about 15 to 20 seconds in the microwave), then mash and strain to get that gorgeous, naturally colored juice. Sift the powdered sugar into a bowl, add the vanilla, then slowly stir in the blueberry juice until you have a thick, runny glaze — exactly the consistency of honey. This glaze is the finishing touch that makes Blueberry Cake Donuts pop with berry flavor and color.
Step 9: Glaze & Set
Spoon the glaze generously over the cooled donuts, letting any extra drip down the sides for a truly bakery-style look. Give the glaze about 20 minutes to set so it forms that lovely, shiny finish. Now your Blueberry Cake Donuts are ready to devour!
How to Serve Blueberry Cake Donuts
Garnishes
Don’t underestimate the power of a pretty finish! Try adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a few extra fresh blueberries, or even a little lemon zest on top of the glaze. These simple touches really highlight the vibrant look and flavor of your Blueberry Cake Donuts and make them feel special, even on an ordinary day.
Side Dishes
Pair your Blueberry Cake Donuts with a tall glass of cold milk, a hot cup of coffee, or some tangy Greek yogurt to balance the sweetness. If you want to go all out, add a generous fruit bowl or a platter of sliced oranges for a fresh, colorful brunch spread that everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Who says donuts need to be boring? Stack your Blueberry Cake Donuts on a tiered stand for a wow-worthy centerpiece, or serve them in cupcake liners for easy grabbing at a party. You can even cut them in half and fill with a dollop of whipped cream or lemon curd for a decadent twist that will surprise and delight your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Blueberry Cake Donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They stay wonderfully moist — just make sure they’re fully cooled and the glaze has set before stacking. If it’s particularly warm in your kitchen, pop them in the fridge to help keep the glaze firm.
Freezing
Blueberry Cake Donuts freeze beautifully, even with the glaze! Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep their gorgeous color and flavor for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter before serving.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy your donuts warm, a quick ten seconds in the microwave will bring them back to life. Just keep in mind the glaze may get a bit soft, but the flavor will be just as dreamy. Reheating from frozen? Let them thaw first for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I use regular blueberries instead of wild blueberries?
Absolutely. While wild blueberries are prized for their intense flavor and cute small size, regular blueberries work well too. You might want to halve larger berries so they don’t weigh down your Blueberry Cake Donuts.
What if I don’t have a donut tin?
No worries! You can spoon the batter into lined muffin tins instead and bake slightly longer for tasty blueberry cake “muffin-donuts.” They’ll still bring all the flavor you’re after.
My glaze is too thick or too thin — how can I fix it?
If your blueberry glaze seems too thick, add a few extra drops of blueberry juice or milk to loosen it. Too thin? Stir in a spoonful of extra powdered sugar until it reaches that perfect, creamy consistency for drizzling on your Blueberry Cake Donuts.
Can I double or triple this recipe for a crowd?
Go for it! This recipe doubles or even triples without any issues. Just make sure to bake in batches and enjoy a kitchen full of the sweet, homey aroma of Blueberry Cake Donuts.
Can I make these donuts gluten free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The Blueberry Cake Donuts should come out just as soft and flavorful, but double-check your other ingredients to make sure everything is gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for a bright, bakery-style treat that’s easy to whip up any day of the week, Blueberry Cake Donuts will become your new go-to. Try them once, and you’ll be hooked on the juicy bursts of blueberry and that gorgeous, sweet glaze. Go ahead — gather your ingredients and let your kitchen fill with the scent of fresh-baked donuts. Enjoy!
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Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Blueberry Cake Donuts are a delightful treat that are perfect for a sweet breakfast or a snack. Made with fresh blueberries and topped with a delicious blueberry glaze, these donuts are sure to be a hit with everyone!
Ingredients
Doughnut Batter:
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (plus extra for greasing the donut tin)
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup wild blueberries
Blueberry Glaze:
- 2 tablespoons wild blueberries
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Grease a donut tin with butter and prepare a piping bag with a large round tip.
- Mix wet ingredients: Melt butter in a bowl, then add sugar, milk, egg, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Sift in flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold gently.
- Add blueberries: Fold in blueberries until evenly distributed.
- Fill donut tin: Pipe batter into the donut tin and smooth the tops with wet fingers.
- Bake: Bake for 13-15 minutes, then cool on a rack.
- Make glaze: Mash and strain blueberries, mix juice with powdered sugar and vanilla until thick and runny.
- Glaze donuts: Spoon glaze over cooled donuts and let set for 20 minutes.
Notes
- If using frozen blueberries, the batter may turn purple.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Blueberry, Cake Donuts, Dessert, Breakfast, Baked Goods
