Easy Donut Cake Recipe 2024

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Donut cakes are a fun and tasty alternative to traditional cakes and are becoming more popular. Whether you’re planning a birthday, wedding, or simply want to treat yourself to something sweet and unique, a donut cake is a perfect choice. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to make a perfect donut cake at home, from understanding what a cake is, to creating, decorating, and serving one that will impress everyone.

What is a Donut Cake Recipe?

A donut cake recipe is the special treat that blends the best of both worlds—a donut and a cake—into one delicious creation. Unlike traditional donuts, which are usually deep-fried, donut cakes are typically baked, making them lighter and easier to prepare at home.

These cakes are often dense, moist, and tender, with a rich, buttery taste that’s perfect for any occasion. The flavor and texture of a classic cake donut, but in the form of a giant, crowd-pleasing Bundt cake.

Whether glazed with a sweet vanilla drizzle, dusted with powdered sugar, or frosted and topped with sprinkles, doughnut cakes are versatile enough for breakfast, dessert, or even a fun brunch centerpiece. It’s a great choice for celebrations, especially for those who love both donuts and cake.

Why Choose an Easy Donut Cake?

Choosing a doughnut cake is a no-brainer for those who love a sweet twist on classic desserts.

Unique Twist: It combines the best elements of donuts and cakes into one delicious treat. If you love both, you’ll adore this hybrid.
Simple and Delicious: Donut cakes are easy to make with just a few ingredients, yet they deliver rich, buttery flavors and a moist texture that everyone will enjoy.
Versatile: Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, a donut cake fits any occasion. Top it with glaze, powdered sugar, or sprinkles for added fun.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can bake it in advance and store it. Just add the finishing touches before serving, making it a convenient choice for busy schedules.
Crowd-Pleaser: Its oversized, shareable nature makes it perfect for gatherings and celebrations, feeding a group easily and bringing a smile to everyone’s face.
Nostalgic and Fun: With flavors reminiscent of classic donuts and a playful appearance, it’s sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.

Best Ingredients You’ll Need

Flour: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour. For the best results, measure it with a kitchen scale. If you don’t have one, use the spoon-and-level method. Fluff up the flour, spoon it into your measuring cup, and level off the top with a knife.
Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), room temperature. Soft but not melted is the key. Let it sit out for about an hour before baking.
Sugar: 1 cup granulated sugar for the cake and 1 ½ cups powdered sugar for the glaze. I recommend C&H® Sugar for the best results!
Eggs: 4 large eggs, at room temperature. If you forgot to take them out ahead of time, place them in warm water for about 10 minutes.
Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons of high-quality vanilla extract for that classic flavor. Avoid imitation vanilla if you can.
Baking Powder: 1 ½ teaspoons. Make sure it’s fresh for a good rise.
Baking Soda: ½ teaspoon. This helps the cake get that perfect texture.
Salt: ½ teaspoon, to enhance the flavors.
Buttermilk: 1 cup, for a tangy taste and perfect crumb. Don’t substitute with regular milk.
Sour Cream: ½ cup full-fat sour cream. Greek yogurt works too if you’re in a pinch.
Spices: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon cardamom. These give the cake its deliciously donut-like flavor.
Milk: 2-3 tablespoons for thinning out the glaze.

How to Make Your Donut Bundt Cake

Preheat Your Oven: Set it to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10-12 cup Bundt pan generously to ensure easy cake release.
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. Set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract. The batter might look a bit curdled, but that’s okay— it will come together once you add the dry ingredients.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk and sour cream. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined—don’t overmix!
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan, smoothing the top with an offset spatula. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for exactly 10 minutes. Then, invert it onto a cooling rack or platter. Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing.
Make the Glaze: While the cake cools, whisk together 1 ½ cups powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons milk until smooth. Brush the glaze over the cooled cake for that classic donut look and taste.
Set and Serve: Let the glaze set for about 15 minutes before slicing. Then, enjoy your delightful donut cake!

Tips for the best Bundt Cake

Flavor Variations: You can add different extracts like almond, lemon, or even a bit of cocoa powder to the batter for various flavors.
Filling: Consider filling the cake with strawberry jam, cream, or custard for an extra surprise inside.
Decoration: Get creative with the decorations! You can use different types of sprinkles, edible glitter, or even small candies.

Decorating Your Donut Birthday Cake Ideas

Classic Glaze and Sprinkles: For a traditional look, drizzle your cake with a simple vanilla glaze and top with colorful sprinkles.

Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Cover your cake with a rich chocolate glaze and top with chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips.

Fruity Delight: Add a fresh touch by decorating your cake with slices of fruit like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. You can also incorporate fruit into the glaze for added flavor.

Nutty Crunch: For a bit of texture, sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans over the top of the cake.

Holiday-Themed Decorations: Customize your cake for holidays by using seasonal decorations, such as red and green sprinkles for Christmas, or pastel colors for Easter.

Donut Bundt Cake for Special Occasions

Donut cakes are perfect for any occasion, and they can be customized to fit the theme of your event:

Birthday Donut Cake: Stack multiple donut cakes to create a donut tower for a show-stopping birthday centerpiece. Decorate with the birthday person’s favorite colors and flavors.
Wedding Donut Cake: For a wedding, consider a tiered donut cake decorated with elegant white glaze and edible flowers. A donut cake can be a fun alternative to a traditional wedding cake or served alongside it as a dessert option.
Holiday Donut Cake: Decorate your cake with festive colors and toppings to match the holiday. For example, use red and green glaze for Christmas, or orange and black for Halloween.

FAQ’s

Can I make a donut cake without a donut-shaped pan?

Yes, you can use a standard round or square cake pan instead. The shape will be different, but the flavor and texture will remain the same. If using a round pan, you can create a similar look by cutting the cake into a ring shape once baked.

How do I store this cake?

Let the cake cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. For best results, keep it in the refrigerator if you plan to eat it within a week.

Can I freeze this cake?

Yes, you can freeze the cake. Wrap the cake securely in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. You can freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before serving.

What other flavors can I try for a donut cake?

You can experiment with various flavors by adding ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, fruit, or spices. Try adding flavors such as cinnamon sugar, maple glaze, or even a lemon or berry twist to the batter for a unique twist on the classic donut cake.

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