These baked red velvet donuts are covered in cream cheese frosting and have that classic red velvet flavor. If you're looking for a quick and easy breakfast treat to make on Valentine's Day, then you've got to make these donuts!
These red velvet doughnuts are pillowy soft and have a cake-like texture.
They're smothered in cream cheese glaze, which is the perfect compliment to the chocolate and vanilla flavors of red velvet.
Looking for more red velvet recipes? Then check out these: red velvet cupcakes, red velvet cookies, and mini red velvet cake.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love These Donuts
- All you need are simple ingredients.
- They're baked, not fried.
- They're a perfect treat to make for Christmas morning or Valentine's Day.
- In just 30 minutes, you can have a fresh doughnut for breakfast!
Whether you're looking for a special breakfast treat or have always wanted to make homemade donuts, I highly recommend this donut recipe!
All you need is a donut pan. I would suggest either these nonstick pans or these silicone ones.
Ingredients Needed
Here are some notes on the ingredients we'll be using. For the full ingredients list, look at the recipe card below.
- Flour: I used all purpose flour.
- Cocoa Powder: I used unsweetened cocoa powder but you could also use any dutch-processed or natural cocoa powder (like Hershey's).
- Baking Powder: I find that donuts rise better with baking powder instead of baking soda.
- Buttermilk: This is a necessary ingredient for red velvet. It adds tanginess and creaminess.
- Red Food Coloring: My favorite food coloring to use for any red velvet recipe is Wilton's red food gel. It works so well!
- Vinegar: Using white vinegar is also a necessary ingredient.
- Cream Cheese: Always use the block-style cream cheese for baking.
- Sprinkles: I added some fun Valentine's sprinkles to the tops of my donuts.
Instructions
Here are the step by step instructions on how to make this red velvet donut recipe.
Step 1: Dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Step 2: Wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, sugar, buttermilk, vanilla extract, vinegar, and red food coloring until fully combined.
Step 3: Combine ingredients. Add the dry ingredients into the wet and gently fold together using a rubber spatula until combined.
Step 4: Pipe the donut batter. Scoop the batter into a piping bag and pipe the donut batter into each donut cup, filling it up just barely to the top.
Step 5: Bake. Bake the donuts for 9-11 minutes. Allow them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully removing them and setting them on a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Cream Cheese Glaze
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese and butter until light and creamy.
Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk and beat on med-high speed for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Once the donuts have cooled, dip them into the glaze and place them back onto the wire rack. Then sprinkle on some fun Valentine's Day sprinkles (optional).
Once set, serve immediately and enjoy!
Storage Tips
Although donuts are best consumed the same day they are made, they will last for a short amount of time.
Keep leftover donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Expert Baking Tips
- Baking Pan: You'll need a 6-count donut pan like this one or this wilton donut pan. I have both of these and use them interchangeably. Be sure to spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
- Measuring Flour: To help ensure you don’t add extra flour, follow these three simple steps: 1) Fluff up the flour using a fork. 2) Spoon the flour into your measuring cup. 3) Scrape a knife across the top of the measuring cup to level out the flour.
- Donut Batter: I find it so much easier to scrape the donut batter into a piping bag or a large ziplock bag and pipe the batter into the donut cups. This method makes it less messy too.
- Donut Glaze: Be sure the donuts are completely cooled before dipping into the icing. If not, the glaze will slide off and not stick to the donuts properly.
Recipe FAQs
Yes you can! You will have a total of 12 donuts. Just be sure to bake each pan separately.
I have not tried this before, so I can't say for sure how they would turn out.
You should be able to taste both chocolate and vanilla flavors within a red velvet dessert. Then, it's almost always paired with a tangy cream cheese frosting.
If you made this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below. I love hearing from you! Also, please tag me on Instagram and check out my Pinterest for even more recipe ideas.
It brings me so much joy to see you make my recipes. 🙂
Happy Baking!
More Donut Recipes
📖 Recipe
Red Velvet Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting
Equipment
- Donut Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Piping Bag
- Electric Stand Mixer
Ingredients:
Red Velvet Donuts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, room temperature preferred
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature preferred
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon white distilled vinegar
- ½ teaspoon red food gel
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 2 ounces cream cheese (block-style), room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablesoons milk
- valentine's day sprinkles, optional
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 6-count donut pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
Red Velvet Donuts
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, sugar, buttermilk, vanilla extract, vinegar, and red food gel until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet and gently fold together using a rubber spatula until combined (be careful not to over mix).
- Scoop the batter into a piping bag or a zipped-up sandwich bag. Simply cut a corner off of the bottom of the bag and pipe the donut batter into each donut cup, filling it up just barely to the top.
- Bake the donuts for 9-11 minutes. Use a toothpick to check the center. If it comes out clean, then they're done. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully removing them and setting them on a wire rack to finish cooling.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese and butter until light and creamy (about 1 minute). Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk and beat on med-high speed for an additional 1-2 minutes. If the frosting is too thick, add a ½ tablespoon of milk at a time until desired consistency. Scrape the glaze into a small bowl and if it's slightly lumpy, heat in the microwave for about 8 seconds. Use a whisk to mix everything together.
- Once the donuts have cooled, dip them into the glaze and place them back onto the wire rack. Then sprinkle on some fun Valentine's Day sprinkles (optional). Once set, serve immediately and enjoy!
- Keep leftover donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes:
- Baking Pan: You'll need a 6-count donut pan like this one or this wilton donut pan. I have both of these and use them interchangeably. Be sure to spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
- Measuring Flour: To help ensure you don’t add extra flour, follow these three simple steps: 1) Fluff up the flour using a fork. 2) Spoon the flour into your measuring cup. 3) Scrape a knife across the top of the measuring cup to level out the flour.
- Donut Batter: I find it so much easier to scrape the donut batter into a piping bag or a large ziplock bag and pipe the batter into the donut cups. This method makes it less messy too.
- Donut Glaze: Be sure the donuts are completely cooled before dipping into the icing. If not, the glaze will slide off and not stick to the donuts properly.
Leave a Reply