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Red Velvet Cake Doughnuts

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Red Velvet Cake Doughnuts bring the rich, cocoa-kissed flavor and signature red hue of the beloved dessert into a soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweetened doughnut. If you’re a fan of red velvet cake, get ready to fall in love with its irresistible doughnut counterpart!

Red-Velvet-Cake-Doughnuts-Complete

Red Velvet Cake Doughnuts Are Delicious Anytime

Whether baked or fried, these indulgent treats are topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze, making every bite a delightful balance of tangy and sweet. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a special occasion, these doughnuts offer a fun and elegant twist on a timeless favorite. Let’s dive into the recipe and create a batch of these stunning, melt-in-your-mouth treats!

What Equipment Do I Need

Ingredients:

Red-Velvet-Donuts-Ingredients


For the donuts

1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1/2 cup granulated white sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

2 tablespoons neutral oil (like canola or vegetable)

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon red gel food coloring

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

For the cream cheese glaze

2 tablespoons cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of sea salt 

How Do I Make Red Velvet Cake Doughnuts


1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray two 6-hole silicone donut pans with non-stick spray (or use one pan and bake in stages). Set aside.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then set aside.

flour-sugar-and-salt-in-bowl

3. In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter and sugar. Use a handheld electric whisk to beat on medium-high speed for a couple of minutes until light and fluffy.

 butter-sugar-in-bowl-mix

4. Add the egg to the mixing bowl and beat again on medium-high speed until fully incorporated. The mixture may look split at this point, which is fine.

5. In a separate bowl, combine the oil, cocoa powder, red food coloring, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully combined into a smooth paste.

6. Add the red paste to the mixing bowl, and beat the ingredients together until completely combined and uniform in color.

 red-gel-added-and-well-blended

7. Add half of the buttermilk to the mixing bowl and fold in by hand.

add-half-the-buttermilk

8. Add half of the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and fold in by hand.

 add-half-the-flour-mixture

9. Repeat until all the buttermilk and flour have been added.

10. Lastly, add the baking soda and white vinegar to the mixing bowl. Fold through the donut batter until fully combined.

Fill The Doughnut Pans For Baking

11. Fill the donut wells almost to the top with batter. You can use a piping bag with the tip cut off to make this easier.

12. Bake in the middle of the preheated oven for 12 minutes, or until the donuts have risen and feel springy to the touch. If, when you touch them, the batter feels soft and sinks, they are not quite ready—give them another couple of minutes of baking time.

fill-the-doughnut-pan-with-mixture

13. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely in the donut pans, then turn out onto a wire rack.

14. Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a large mixing bowl, add all of the glaze ingredients. Beat with a handheld electric whisk until smooth and creamy— this will take about 3 minutes.

15. When the donuts have cooled, dip them one by one into the cream cheese glaze, shaking off any excess. Leave to set for a few minutes before serving. To decorate, you can sprinkle them with red crumbs or add sprinkles. Enjoy! 

FAQs

1. What makes red velvet doughnuts different from regular doughnuts?

Red velvet doughnuts have a hint of cocoa powder, a subtle tang from buttermilk or vinegar, and their signature red color, making them distinct from traditional doughnuts. They are often paired with a cream cheese glaze for a classic red velvet flavor.

2. Are red velvet cake doughnuts baked or fried?

They can be either! Baked red velvet doughnuts have a light, cake-like texture, while fried ones are crispier on the outside and softer on the inside. Both versions deliver delicious results.

 Several-Red-Doughnuts-laying-out

3. How do I achieve the perfect red color?

Using high-quality red food coloring (liquid, gel, or natural alternatives like beet powder) ensures a vibrant red hue. Be sure to balance the color with the right amount of cocoa powder to maintain the classic red velvet flavor.

4. Can I make red velvet doughnuts without food coloring?

Yes! While food coloring gives red velvet its signature look, you can skip it and still enjoy the same delicious taste. Some bakers use beet juice or powder as a natural alternative.

5. What’s the best glaze for red velvet cake doughnuts?

A cream cheese glaze is the most traditional and pairs perfectly with the doughnuts’ rich flavor. However, vanilla or chocolate glaze, dusted powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of white chocolate also work well.

Doughnuts-stacked-in-3

6. Can I make these doughnuts without buttermilk?

Yes! If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by mixing 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5–10 minutes before using.

7. Can I turn this recipe into mini doughnuts or doughnut holes?

Absolutely! Simply adjust the baking or frying time accordingly—mini doughnuts and doughnut holes will cook faster than standard-sized ones.

 Doughnut-with-a-bite-out-of-it

Storage

How do I store leftover doughnuts?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for up to five days. If freezing, wrap them individually and store them for up to three months.

What’s the best way to reheat red velvet doughnuts?

To enjoy them warm, microwave for 10–15 seconds or heat them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes. This helps restore their soft, fresh texture.

Red-Velvet-Cake-Doughnuts-Pin-1
Yield: 9

Red Velvet Cake Doughnuts

Red-Velvet-Cake-Doughnuts-Recipe-Card

Red Velvet Cake Doughnuts bring the rich, cocoa-kissed flavor and signature red hue of the beloved dessert into a soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweetened doughnut. If you're a fan of red velvet cake, get ready to fall in love with its irresistible doughnut counterpart!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the donuts :
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (like canola or vegetable)
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon red gel food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
  • For the cream cheese glaze :
  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray two 6-hole silicone donut pans with non-stick spray (or use one pan and bake in stages). Set aside.

    2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then set aside.

    3. In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter and sugar. Use a handheld electric whisk to beat on medium-high speed for a couple of minutes until light and fluffy.

    4. Add the egg to the mixing bowl and beat again on medium-high speed until fully incorporated. The mixture may look split at this point, which is fine.

    5. In a separate bowl, combine the oil, cocoa powder, red food coloring, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully combined into a smooth paste.

    6. Add the red paste to the mixing bowl, and beat the ingredients together until completely combined and uniform in color.

    7. Add half of the buttermilk to the mixing bowl and fold in by hand.

    8. Add half of the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and fold in by hand.

    9. Repeat until all the buttermilk and flour have been added.

    10. Lastly, add the baking soda and white vinegar to the mixing bowl. Fold through the donut batter until fully combined.

    11. Fill the donut wells almost to the top with batter. You can use a piping bag with the tip cut off to make this easier.

    12. Bake in the middle of the preheated oven for 12 minutes, or until the donuts have risen and feel springy to the touch. If, when you touch them, the batter feels soft and sinks, they are not quite ready—give them another couple of minutes of baking time.

    13. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely in the donut pans, then turn out onto a wire rack.

    14. Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a large mixing bowl, add all of the glaze ingredients. Beat with a handheld electric whisk until smooth and creamy— this will take about 3 minutes.

    15. When the donuts have cooled, dip them one by one into the cream cheese glaze, shaking off any excess. Leave to set for a few minutes before serving. To decorate, you can sprinkle them with red crumbs or add sprinkles. Enjoy! 

Notes

What Equipment Do I Need

1. What makes red velvet doughnuts different from regular doughnuts?

Red velvet doughnuts have a hint of cocoa powder, a subtle tang from buttermilk or vinegar, and their signature red color, making them distinct from traditional doughnuts. They are often paired with a cream cheese glaze for a classic red velvet flavor.

2. Are red velvet cake doughnuts baked or fried?

They can be either! Baked red velvet doughnuts have a light, cake-like texture, while fried ones are crispier on the outside and softer on the inside. Both versions deliver delicious results.

3. How do I achieve the perfect red color?

Using high-quality red food coloring (liquid, gel, or natural alternatives like beet powder) ensures a vibrant red hue. Be sure to balance the color with the right amount of cocoa powder to maintain the classic red velvet flavor.

4. Can I make red velvet doughnuts without food coloring?

Yes! While food coloring gives red velvet its signature look, you can skip it and still enjoy the same delicious taste. Some bakers use beet juice or powder as a natural alternative.

5. What’s the best glaze for red velvet cake doughnuts?

A cream cheese glaze is the most traditional and pairs perfectly with the doughnuts’ rich flavor. However, vanilla or chocolate glaze, dusted powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of white chocolate also work well.

6. Can I make these doughnuts without buttermilk?

Yes! If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by mixing 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5–10 minutes before using.

7. Can I turn this recipe into mini doughnuts or doughnut holes?

Absolutely! Simply adjust the baking or frying time accordingly—mini doughnuts and doughnut holes will cook faster than standard-sized ones.

Storage

How do I store leftover doughnuts?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for up to five days. If freezing, wrap them individually and store them for up to three months.

What’s the best way to reheat red velvet doughnuts?

To enjoy them warm, microwave for 10–15 seconds or heat them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes. This helps restore their soft, fresh texture.

Nutrition Information

Yield

9

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 309Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 47mgSodium 187mgCarbohydrates 42gFiber 1gSugar 29gProtein 4g

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