The Sunny Citrus Swirl: Baked Lemon Donuts Recipe for Joy

Crisp mornings call for freshly baked lemon donuts that dance with zesty brightness on your palate.

Sunlight streams through kitchen windows, promising a delightful treat.

Sweet citrus notes promise pure morning magic.

Soft, pillowy pastries emerge from the oven with golden edges and tempting aroma.

Delicate rings packed with tangy flavor await your first bite.

Subtle hints of lemon whisper through each tender crumb.

These delectable circles will spark joy and make your breakfast feel like a celebration.

Baked Lemon Donuts That Melt In Your Mouth

• Quick Kitchen Magic: Whip up these zesty lemon donuts in under 30 minutes with minimal effort.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Perfect for novice bakers with simple ingredients and straightforward mixing technique that guarantees delicious results every time.
• Family Breakfast Delight: Bright, tangy donuts that kids and adults will love, offering a healthier baked alternative to traditional fried treats.
• Versatile Occasion Treat: Great for weekend brunches, afternoon snacks, or casual gatherings, these donuts bring sunshine to any meal with their fresh lemon flavor.

Mix Used in Baked Lemon Donuts

• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the donut, providing structure and texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with golden-brown color.
• Baking Powder: Helps donuts rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Buttermilk, Lemon Juice: Adds tanginess and moisture, tenderizes the donut.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and subtle sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter, Melted: Provides richness and smooth texture.

• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, fresh citrus flavor to the donuts.
• Baking Spray: Helps prevent donuts from sticking to the pan.

How to Make Baked Lemon Donuts

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 400°F.

Grab your donut pan and give it a quick spray with baking spray to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create the Dry Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Fresh lemon zest

Create a little crater in the center of your dry ingredients like you’re making a volcano of deliciousness.

Step 3: Blend the Wet Ingredients

• Fresh lemon juice
• Buttermilk
• Egg

Whisk everything together until you have a smooth, sunny mixture that looks like liquid sunshine.

Step 4: Add the Final Touches

• Vanilla extract
• Melted butter

Mix until the batter looks silky and irresistible.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

Carefully spoon or pipe the batter into your donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full.

Be gentle and precise.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

You’ll know they’re done when they spring back with a gentle touch and look golden around the edges.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the donuts rest in the pan for 4-5 minutes to settle.

Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Get ready to bite into lemony heaven!

Lemon Donut Baking Tricks

• Use a microplane or fine grater to extract lemon zest without touching the bitter white pith for maximum citrusy flavor.
• If you don't have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes to create a perfect substitute.
• Use a piping bag or a plastic zip-lock bag with a corner snipped off for neat, even donut batter distribution in the pan.
• Insert a toothpick in the center of donuts – if it comes out clean, they're perfectly baked and ready to cool.
• Create a simple lemon glaze by mixing powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice for an extra burst of citrus flavor on top of the cooled donuts.

Best Way to Keep Baked Lemon Donuts Fresh for Days

• Store leftover donuts in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out.
• Place donuts in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality and taste.
• Warm briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes until slightly crisp and heated through.
• Remove from freezer and let donuts sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or gently reheat in the oven at 300°F for 5-6 minutes to restore their soft texture.

Sweet Complements For Lemon Donuts

• Match with Lavender Tea: Delicate lavender tea complements the bright lemon flavor, creating a sophisticated and refreshing flavor harmony that elevates the donut's citrusy profile.
• Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Custard: Creamy, smooth vanilla custard balances the tangy lemon notes, providing a rich and luxurious counterpoint to the light, airy donuts.
• Create a Citrus Beverage Combo: Prepare a sparkling blood orange spritzer or fresh lime-infused water to enhance the lemon's bright essence and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Drizzle with Honey Glaze: Add a thin honey glaze on top of the donuts to introduce subtle sweetness and create a golden, glossy finish that makes the treat even more irresistible.

Lemon Donut Glaze Variations

• Gluten-Free Lemon Donuts: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring a tender texture while maintaining the bright lemon flavor.
• Vegan Citrus Rings: Substitute buttermilk with almond milk, egg with flax egg, and butter with coconut oil for a plant-based version that's just as zesty.
• Low-Sugar Citrus Treats: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of sugar, reducing calories while preserving the donuts' lemony essence.
• Dairy-Free Lemon Rounds: Swap buttermilk with coconut yogurt or oat milk, creating a lighter alternative that still delivers a tangy punch.

FAQs

• Are these donuts healthier than traditional fried donuts?

Yes, these baked lemon donuts are a healthier alternative since they’re baked instead of deep-fried, which significantly reduces the oil content and overall calories.

• Can I make these donuts gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these donuts suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

• How can I intensify the lemon flavor?

To boost the lemon taste, you can add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter or incorporate some lemon extract for a more pronounced citrus flavor.

• What if I don't have a donut pan?

No worries! You can use a muffin tin as an alternative. The texture and shape will be slightly different, but the taste will remain delicious.

Baked Lemon Donuts Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Zesty homemade Baked Lemon Donuts bring Mediterranean sunshine to your breakfast table. Delicate rings of citrusy sweetness deliver a light, refreshing treat you’ll savor with pure morning delight.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups (170 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) buttermilk
• 1 egg

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Binding and Preparation Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Lemon Glaze:

• 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest (optional)

Lemon Sugar:

• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 400°F and lightly coat a 6-cavity donut mold with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Combine dry ingredients including flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and freshly grated lemon zest in a mixing vessel, creating a central depression.
3. Pour the liquid components – lemon juice, buttermilk, and egg – into the well of dry ingredients, whisking gently until a uniform mixture forms.
4. Incorporate vanilla extract and smoothly melted butter, stirring until the batter achieves a silky consistency with no lumps.
5. Carefully distribute the batter into each donut cavity, filling approximately two-thirds of each mold to allow room for rising.
6. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring until the donuts display a golden hue and spring back when delicately pressed.
7. Allow the donuts to rest in the pan for 4-5 minutes, enabling them to set and cool slightly.
8. Gently transfer the donuts to a wire cooling rack, permitting them to reach complete room temperature before serving or glazing.

Notes

• Zesting Technique: Gently scrape only the yellow part of the lemon peel to avoid bitter white pith, which can make your donuts taste harsh.
• Batter Consistency: Whisk ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense donuts; overmixing develops gluten and creates a chewy texture.
• Dairy Swap: Replace buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with lemon juice for a vegan-friendly version that maintains moisture and tang.
• Pan Preparation: Use a non-stick donut pan and spray thoroughly to ensure easy release and perfect donut shapes without breaking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 188
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg