Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe

If you adore bakery-style treats but crave the coziness of home baking, these Blueberry Cake Donuts are your new go-to! Bursting with juicy blueberries and crowned in a dreamy blueberry glaze, they’re delightfully soft, moist, and brimming with big flavor—no frying required.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The wonderful thing about Blueberry Cake Donuts is that they call for a handful of classic pantry and fridge staples—plus those juicy blueberries, of course! Every ingredient plays a special role in achieving that tender crumb, vibrant color, and unforgettable taste.

• All-purpose flour: The backbone of our donuts, creating that signature cake-like texture.
• Baking powder: Ensures fluffy, airy donuts with a beautiful lift.
• Salt: Just a touch sharpens all the flavors and balances out the sweetness.
• Ground cardamom (optional): For subtle aromatic warmth—it’s optional, but I highly recommend trying it at least once!
• Fresh blueberries: Star of the show; they pop with juicy sweetness in every bite.
• Additional all-purpose flour (for berries): Tossing blueberries in flour helps keep them suspended evenly in the batter.
• Unsalted butter, melted: Adds rich flavor and keeps the crumb melt-in-your-mouth tender.
• Granulated white sugar: Sweetens the donuts and helps them get that lovely cake donut crust.
• Eggs, at room temperature: Bind the batter and add structure without making the donuts dense.
• Vanilla extract: For classic donut bakery aroma and flavor.
• Sour cream, at room temperature: Infuses extra moisture and a gentle tang, complementing the berries perfectly.
• Whole milk, at room temperature: Loosens the batter just enough for a soft, tender result.
• Powdered sugar: Creates the smooth, glossy base for our sweet blueberry glaze.
• Blueberry jam: Intensifies the blueberry flavor and gives the glaze its beautiful purple color.
• Vanilla (for glaze): Adds a lovely fragrant finish to the glaze.
• Milk (for glaze): Helps achieve that perfect dipping consistency for a dreamy glaze coating.

Variations

The beauty of Blueberry Cake Donuts is how easily you can put your own spin on them! Whether you’re switching things up for allergies, diet, or just because you’re feeling adventurous, these donuts are ready to adapt to your cravings.

• Swap the Berries: Try raspberries, blackberries, or diced strawberries in place of blueberries for a fun flavor twist.
• Lemon Zest Boost: Stir finely grated lemon zest into the batter or glaze for a zippy, citrusy kick.
• Gluten-free Option: Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour—the flavor still shines!
• Dairy-Free Donuts: Use plant-based butter, dairy-free milk, and coconut yogurt or vegan sour cream for a completely dairy-free treat.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Skip the blueberry glaze and instead drizzle with a quick chocolate ganache for a totally different (but equally delicious) topping.

How to Make Blueberry Cake Donuts

Step 1: Prep and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready when you are. Give your donut pan a generous coating of nonstick spray or butter—nobody likes donuts that stick! Gather all your ingredients and measure them out for buttery, stress-free baking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and (if you’re feeling fancy) a pinch of ground cardamom. This quick step ensures even distribution, giving your donuts perfect texture and flavor in every bite.

Step 3: Prepare the Blueberries

Tumble the fresh blueberries into another bowl and sprinkle them with a tablespoon of flour. Toss gently until the berries are coated—this nifty trick keeps them from sinking and helps them bake up beautifully throughout the donuts.

Step 4: Whisk Wet Ingredients

In your largest mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, sour cream, and milk. The mixture should become thick, pale, and creamy—this combo is what delivers that classic old-fashioned donut flavor!

Step 5: Combine the Batter

Add the dry mix into the wet bowl. Whisk or stir gently—just until barely combined. Don’t overmix! Finally, fold in your floured blueberries with a soft hand to keep the batter tender and the berries intact.

Step 6: Fill the Donut Pan

To ensure gorgeous, even donuts, scoop the batter into a piping bag (or use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off). Pipe the mixture into each donut well to about three-quarters full. This keeps them rising into that signature donut shape.

Step 7: Bake

Slide your pan into the preheated oven and bake for 11–12 minutes, just until the donuts are set and golden on top. Let them rest in the pan for about 10 minutes, then gently turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely—it’s worth the wait!

Step 8: Make the Blueberry Glaze

Whisk together the powdered sugar, blueberry jam, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of milk in a medium bowl. If the glaze feels too thick, add more milk a tiny splash at a time until it’s silky and dip-able—a little goes a long way.

Step 9: Glaze and Set

Once cool, dunk each donut into the bright blueberry glaze, turning or swirling gently for an even coating. Return them to the rack and let the icing set (about 30 minutes), then get ready to enjoy—these Blueberry Cake Donuts absolutely shine!

How to Serve Blueberry Cake Donuts

Garnishes

You can keep things classic with just the glossy blueberry glaze, or take it up a notch with fresh blueberries, powdered sugar dust, or a sprinkle of lemon zest on top. If you want a bakery-inspired finish, try a light drizzle of white chocolate or a few pastel sprinkles for a playful touch.

Side Dishes

Blueberry Cake Donuts pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk, a latte, or a hot cup of tea. For a weekend brunch spread, serve them alongside savory egg bakes, fresh fruit salad, or even a bright citrusy yogurt parfait for a sweet-savory balance.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your donuts on a rustic wooden board or a tiered dessert stand for maximum wow factor. For parties or showers, wrap each donut in parchment and tie with twine for charming favors. Or make a vibrant “donut tower” centerpiece by stacking glazed donuts and garnishing with mint springs and edible flowers!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These donuts are at their fluffiest and most tender the day you bake them, but any leftovers will stay soft for up to three days in an airtight container at room temperature. Just make sure the glaze is fully set before stacking or storing!

Freezing

To freeze, let the glazed donuts set completely, then wrap each in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay delicious for up to two months! Defrost at room temperature (still wrapped) to help prevent the glaze from sweating.

Reheating

For that “just-baked” feel, warm unglazed donuts in the microwave for 10–12 seconds, or wrapped in foil in a low oven (about 250°F/120°C) for a few minutes. If already glazed, keep reheating to a minimum—just enough to soften them up without melting the icing.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about the sweet-tart pop of blueberries tucked inside a fluffy cake donut—especially when you’ve made them yourself! I hope these Blueberry Cake Donuts bring a little joy and bakery magic to your kitchen. Once you taste that homemade blueberry glaze, you’ll want to make them again and again. Happy baking!

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