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
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
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 400°F and lightly coat a 6-cavity donut mold with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine dry ingredients including flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and freshly grated lemon zest in a mixing vessel, creating a central depression.
- Pour the liquid components – lemon juice, buttermilk, and egg – into the well of dry ingredients, whisking gently until a uniform mixture forms.
- Incorporate vanilla extract and smoothly melted butter, stirring until the batter achieves a silky consistency with no lumps.
- Carefully distribute the batter into each donut cavity, filling approximately two-thirds of each mold to allow room for rising.
- 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.
- Allow the donuts to rest in the pan for 4-5 minutes, enabling them to set and cool slightly.
- 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