Fluffy Homemade Cake Donuts Recipe: Sweet Morning Joy

Soft and pillowy cake donuts promise a delightful escape from ordinary breakfast routines.

Sweet memories of childhood bakery visits dance through my mind with each sugary bite.

Fluffy rings of golden goodness beckon from the plate, tempting you to indulge.

Crisp exteriors give way to tender, melt-in-your-mouth centers that spark pure joy.

Home bakers can easily master this simple yet magical treat with just a few ingredients.

Sprinkled with powdered sugar or glazed to perfection, these donuts will make you the star of any morning gathering.

Dive into this recipe and create a batch that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Cake Donuts Soft Fried Rings Of Sweetness

• Overnight Breakfast Magic: Transforms simple pancakes into a gourmet casserole with minimal morning effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Serves multiple people simultaneously, perfect for family gatherings or weekend brunches.
• Stress-Free Preparation: Assemble the night before and wake up to a delicious breakfast that requires zero morning cooking stress.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance, freeing up precious morning time for relaxation and enjoyment.

Cake Donut Batter Breakdown

• Pancakes: Soft, pillowy base that soaks up the rich egg mixture for a delicious breakfast casserole.

• Eggs, Milk, Heavy Cream: Creamy mixture that provides moisture, richness, and binding for the casserole.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds deep, aromatic vanilla flavor with beautiful vanilla specks.

• Sugar, Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Butter: Adds richness and creates a golden, glossy surface when melted.
• Maple Syrup: Classic sweet drizzle that complements the breakfast casserole's flavors.

• Cooking Spray: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking to the baking dish.
• Foil: Helps control baking temperature and prevents excessive browning.

Bake Cake Donuts With This Guide

Step 1: Prep Baking Space

Grab a 13×9-inch baking dish and give it a light spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

This ensures your donuts will slide out perfectly when they’re ready.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Ground nutmeg
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients until they’re thoroughly blended and free of any lumps.

Step 3: Create Wet Mixture

• Whole milk
• Eggs
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract

Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and well incorporated.

Step 4: Form Donut Batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture.

Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined.

Don’t overmix – a few small lumps are perfectly fine and will help create a tender texture.

Step 5: Shape Donuts

Use a piping bag or spoon to carefully fill a donut pan with the batter.

Fill each cavity about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the donut pan in a preheated oven at 375°F.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.

Step 7: Cool and Decorate

Remove donuts from the pan and let them cool on a wire rack.

Once cooled, dip in your favorite glaze or dust with powdered sugar for extra sweetness.

Donut Baking Tips For Classic Cake Style

• Use day-old pancakes to absorb the egg mixture without becoming too mushy, ensuring a perfect texture.
• Sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg, or add a handful of chopped nuts between pancake layers for extra depth and crunch.
• Prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, letting flavors develop and simplifying your morning routine.
• Swap heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a lactose-free version that's equally delicious.
• Cut into squares before serving for neat, easy individual servings that look professional and taste amazing.

Cake Donuts Stay Soft for Second Servings

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
• Warm individual portions at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out. The foil helps retain moisture and restore the casserole's original texture.
• Reheat single servings on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stopping halfway to stir and ensure even heating. Add a splash of milk to prevent the casserole from becoming too dry.
• Wrap portions in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.

Warm Matches For Cake Donuts

Elevate Breakfast Bliss: Perfect Pairings

• Brew Rich Coffee: Dark roast espresso or smooth Colombian coffee complements the sweet, custardy pancake casserole with robust flavor depth.
• Fresh Citrus Burst: Serve orange segments or grapefruit wedges to cut through the richness and provide a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet dish.
• Crispy Bacon Side: Salty, crisp bacon strips create a delightful savory counterpoint to the sweet maple-drenched pancake casserole.
• Fruit Smoothie Companion: Blend strawberry and banana smoothie for a refreshing drink that balances the hearty casserole and adds nutritional variety.

Soft Cake Donut Alternatives

• Gluten-Free Delight: Swap regular pancakes with gluten-free pancakes and use almond milk instead of dairy milk for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Option: Replace heavy cream with coconut cream and use plant-based milk to create a lactose-free version of the breakfast casserole.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia and use sugar-free maple syrup to reduce overall sugar content for diabetic-friendly meal.
• Vegan Version: Use plant-based pancakes, replace eggs with silken tofu or commercial egg replacer, and select coconut cream as dairy alternative for complete vegan adaptation.

FAQs

• Can I use store-bought pancakes for this recipe?

Yes, you can use pre-made pancakes from the store. Ensure they are thick and fresh for the best texture and flavor.

• Is it necessary to refrigerate the casserole overnight?

Refrigerating helps the pancakes absorb the egg mixture completely, creating a richer, more cohesive dish. If you’re short on time, a minimum of 4 hours will still work.

• Can I make this casserole gluten-free?

Use gluten-free pancakes or substitute with gluten-free bread to create a similar breakfast casserole that accommodates dietary restrictions.

• How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?

The center should be set and not jiggly, and the top should be golden brown. Use a knife inserted in the center to check for doneness – it should come out clean.

Cake Donuts Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible cake donuts bring sweet comfort with classic bakery charm, delivering pure nostalgic pleasure. Light, fluffy rings promise delightful moments you’ll savor down to the last delectable crumb.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 24 pancakes (homemade or store-bought)
• 6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Finishing and Cooking Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• Cooking spray
• Unsalted butter, for serving
• Maple syrup, for serving

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Instructions

1. Grease a rectangular baking vessel with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the final dish.
2. Create a layered foundation by positioning pancakes in three parallel rows, allowing slight overlap from one extended edge of the pan.
3. Craft a rich custard-like base by whisking eggs with heavy cream, milk, sugar, vanilla bean paste, and salt until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
4. Carefully cascade the prepared liquid mixture over the pancake layers, guaranteeing comprehensive and even saturation of each pancake surface.
5. Seal the baking dish with a secure cover and transfer to the refrigerator, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop deep flavors for a minimum of 8 hours or throughout the night.
6. Initiate oven warming to 350°F, then shield the dish with aluminum foil for the initial 25-minute baking phase, followed by an uncovered 25-minute segment to achieve a perfectly set central region.
7. Allow the casserole a brief 5-minute resting period post-baking, then embellish with delicate butter dollops and a lavish maple syrup drizzle before serving.

Notes

• Swap out heavy cream for lighter alternatives like half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calorie content.
• Create gluten-free version by using gluten-free pancakes or substituting with alternative bread like brioche or challah.
• Customize flavor profile by adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or orange zest to the egg mixture for enhanced aromatic complexity.
• Prepare ahead by assembling the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, making it perfect for stress-free breakfast entertaining.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 352
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 108 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 149 mg