If you’re craving something sweet, fruity, and utterly delightful, I have just the thing for you. This Delicious Strawberry Donuts with Glaze Recipe is an absolute game-changer and one that I love whipping up whenever I want to impress guests or treat my family to something special. They’re soft, flavorful, and topped with a luscious strawberry glaze that’s both irresistible and fresh. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through everything so you can have these beautiful donuts on your plate in no time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: You’ll be amazed how fast these donuts come together using a strawberry cake mix as the base.
- Fresh Strawberry Flavor: The glaze packed with real chopped strawberries takes these donuts to another level.
- Perfect Texture: Soft, moist, and fluffy donuts that aren’t greasy or heavy.
- Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for these, and I bet yours will too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I’ve always found that using a quality strawberry cake mix really simplifies the process while keeping those sweet, fruity notes front and center. Each ingredient plays its role perfectly, so you get that balance of softness, richness, and fresh strawberry zing.
- Strawberry Cake Mix: This is the star of the show, giving you ready-made flavors with little effort.
- Eggs: They help bind everything together and add moisture for the perfect donut texture.
- Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps the donuts stay tender.
- Heavy Cream: Used both in the batter and glaze for extra creaminess.
- Powdered Sugar: Essential for a smooth, sweet glaze that isn’t grainy.
- Fresh Strawberries: Finely chopped to fold into the glaze for that real, fresh fruit flavor.
Variations
I love making this recipe my own by playing around with the glaze or the cake base. Feel free to get creative—this recipe is super forgiving and a fantastic blank canvas for your donut dreams.
- Glaze Twist: Some days, I swap out fresh strawberries for a mix of fresh raspberries or blueberries, which adds a vibrant color and a fun flavor contrast.
- Vegan Version: Try a dairy-free cake mix and swap the butter and cream with coconut oil and almond milk. It won’t be quite the same, but still lovely!
- Frosting Options: Instead of dipping, spread the glaze on with a spoon and sprinkle crushed freeze-dried strawberries for extra texture.
- Mini Donuts: Use a mini donut pan for bite-sized versions perfect for parties or kid-friendly snacks.
How to Make Delicious Strawberry Donuts with Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Mix Up Your Batter
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the strawberry cake mix, two large eggs, melted butter, and heavy cream. I like to stir by hand here—this gives me more control and helps avoid overmixing which can toughen the donuts. The batter might look a little thick, but that’s exactly how it should be.
Step 2: Fill Your Donut Pan Carefully
Grease your donut pan well—you definitely don’t want these beauties sticking. Then, spoon the batter into each cavity, filling them about halfway. I learned the hard way not to overfill because these donuts rise quite a bit while baking and can spill over.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them starting at the 8-minute mark and test doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean. Once done, let the donuts cool completely on a wire rack. You don’t want to dip hot donuts in glaze because it melts off too quickly.
Step 4: Whip Up That Glaze
While your donuts cool, combine powdered sugar, fresh chopped strawberries, and a splash of heavy cream in a bowl. Using a hand mixer really helps make the glaze super smooth and creamy. If the glaze seems too thick, add a little more cream, and if it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. Your goal is a dip-worthy consistency.
Step 5: Glaze and Let Set
Dip each cooled donut face down into the glaze. The fresh strawberries in the glaze add a bit of texture and moisture, so it might not harden fully, but it will firm up nicely. Place glazed donuts back on the rack and let them sit for about 15 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Delicious Strawberry Donuts with Glaze Recipe
- Don’t Overfill: Filling your donut pans just halfway prevents messy overflow and helps your donuts keep their shape perfectly.
- Let Donuts Cool Completely: Patience here is key so the glaze can stick and slightly firm up rather than slide right off.
- Use Fresh Strawberries in Glaze: I once used strawberry jam by mistake and it was way too sweet and gloopy—chopped fresh is the way to go!
- Grease Your Pan Well: This simple step saves you from heartbreak when trying to get your donuts out cleanly.
How to Serve Delicious Strawberry Donuts with Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
When I serve these, I often sprinkle some freeze-dried strawberry powder or a dusting of powdered sugar on top for an extra pretty touch. Fresh mint leaves on the side add a nice pop of color and a subtle herbal contrast to all the sweetness.
Side Dishes
These donuts pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea, especially a fruity tea like hibiscus. I’ve also served them alongside fresh fruit salad or a light yogurt parfait for a balanced brunch spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or gatherings, I like to arrange these donuts on a tiered cake stand with fresh flowers scattered around—it instantly dresses up the table. Sometimes I pop a little edible glitter on the glaze for a shimmering look that kids adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Storing these donuts is pretty straightforward. I keep them in an airtight container at room temperature if I plan to eat them within a couple of days. This keeps them nice and soft without the glaze getting sticky or messy.
Freezing
I’ve frozen glazed donuts by placing them on a baking sheet initially (to let the glaze firm up) and then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature—it’s surprisingly easy and tasty this way.
Reheating
For that fresh-baked feel, I pop a donut in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. It softens up the glaze just a little and wakes up those flavors wonderfully, without melting everything.
FAQs
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Can I use another type of cake mix for this recipe?
Absolutely! While strawberry cake mix gives the best flavor for this recipe, you can experiment with yellow or white cake mixes and add fresh strawberry pieces in the glaze to keep that fresh fruity touch.
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Do I have to use a donut pan?
Using a donut pan is highly recommended because it helps the donuts hold their shape and bake evenly. If you don’t have one, you could try using a mini muffin pan, but you’ll lose the classic donut hole and shape.
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How thick should the glaze be?
The glaze should be thick enough to coat the donut without running off completely, but still pourable for dipping. Add cream little by little until you reach that balance—it’s easier to thin out than thicken once mixed.
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Can I make these donuts dairy-free?
Yes! Swap out the butter and heavy cream for plant-based options like coconut oil and almond or oat milk. Just make sure your strawberry cake mix is dairy-free as well.
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How long do these donuts stay fresh?
Stored at room temperature in an airtight container, they’re best within 2 days. Refrigerated, they last up to a week. For longer storage, freezing them for up to 2 months works great.
Final Thoughts
Making these delicious strawberry donuts with glaze has become one of my favorite baking joys. I love how simple the process is, yet how impressive the results always turn out. They’re a perfect balance of fruity, sweet, and fluffy goodness that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re sharing them with family or just treating yourself, I genuinely believe this recipe will become a go-to for you too. So go ahead, grab that strawberry cake mix, and let these donuts bring a little extra sweetness to your day!
Print
Delicious Strawberry Donuts with Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 18 donuts 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these homemade Strawberry Donuts made with a moist strawberry cake mix base, baked to perfection and topped with a luscious strawberry glaze. Perfectly fluffy with a fresh berry flavor, these donuts are an irresistible treat for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Donuts
- 15.25 ounces (432 grams) Strawberry Cake Mix (1 box)
- 2 large eggs (100 grams)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (28 grams, ¼ stick)
- ¾ cup (170 grams) heavy cream
Glaze
- 2 cups (226 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) heavy cream, plus more if needed
- 1 cup (167 grams) finely chopped fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to fully preheat so your donuts bake evenly.
- Mix the batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, eggs, melted butter, and heavy cream. Stir everything thoroughly by hand until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
- Prepare the donut pan: Grease your donut pan well to prevent sticking. Pour the batter into each cavity carefully, making sure not to overfill, as the donuts will rise significantly during baking.
- Bake the donuts: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into a donut; it should come out clean when they are fully baked.
- Cool the donuts: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the donuts to cool on a wire rack. Repeat the baking steps if you have more batter.
- Make the glaze: While the donuts cool, prepare the glaze by combining powdered sugar, heavy cream, and chopped fresh strawberries in a bowl. Beat them together with a hand mixer until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more cream to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken the glaze.
- Glaze the donuts: Dip each cooled donut face down into the strawberry glaze, ensuring an even coating. Place back on the cooling rack. The glaze will firm up but may remain slightly soft due to the fresh strawberries.
Notes
- Use a donut pan or tin for best shape and even baking.
- Grease the donut pan thoroughly to avoid sticking.
- Do not overfill the donut cavities as the batter rises considerably during baking.
- Make the glaze while the donuts are cooling to save time.
- Dip the donuts face down into the glaze for an even coat.
- Warm donuts for 10-20 seconds in the microwave if you prefer them warm before serving.
- Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, refrigerated for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut (approximate)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
