How to Make Best Ever Homemade Blueberry Cake Donuts
These blueberry cake donuts are one of my favorite things to make. Light and fluffy and full of fresh blueberries, they are topped with a delicious vanilla cinnamon icing that makes them oh so delicious. They are both simple to make and come together quickly. And the best part? They are made in the oven… no donut cutter or deep fryer needed!
Why I Love Them
I am a big donut fan. I will say, though, that my heart lies with cake donuts. It’s something about the texture, I think. They are more filling, and usually sweetened just enough with the addition of a little icing on top. There is one coffee chain that sells a blueberry cake donut that I particularly love, so I knew I had to figure out how to make a good scratch made blueberry cake donut at home.
And by golly, I think I’ve done it. These blueberry cake donuts were love at first bite.
Baking in Oven + Variations
Possibly my favorite thing about this homemade version of blueberry cake donuts (besides the taste) is that they are baked right in the oven! Making them a healthier (can donuts be healthy…?) option than frying. Now, I love a good fried donut, but I don’t always feel like standing over a hot pan of grease on the stove. The more hands off I can be, the better.
The only specialty equipment needed for this recipe is a donut pan (I bought mine online here). I have found that I like using a donut pan because it helps the donuts to keep a more uniform shape, making for a more picture perfect donut. (Although I will admit I miss the donut holes that you get when cutting out and frying the donuts). Make sure you keep an eye on them in the oven… they bake quickly!
My wheels are already turning on how many variations of this recipe you could do. Chocolate cake donuts, pumpkin donuts… the options are endless! YUM. You could also change up the glaze on the top. I chose to do a vanilla glaze this time around, but next time I think I will try out a lemon glaze. Wouldn’t that be divine?
How to Make Blueberry Donuts
These delicious donuts are very simple and come together super quickly once you’ve gathered all the ingredients. I suggest washing the blueberries to begin, and then setting them aside to dry. Add in melted butter, sugar, egg, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract all to a large bowl, using a whisk to mix together well. Add in the dry ingredients and spices to the wet ingredients, using a spoon to combine. The batter will be very thick and that’s okay!
Once you are ready to add in the blueberries, toss them in a little flour (couple tablespoons), making sure to coat them evenly. Don’t skip this step! Tossing the berries in the flour ensures that they won’t all sink to the bottom of the donut.
Add in the juicy blueberries and flour mixture to the batter, using a rubber spatula to fold them in gently. Emphasis on gentle here, you don’t want to smush the blueberries up too much in the batter 🙂
Once the donut batter is ready, add it to the donut pan. You can do this by either using a piping bag to pipe them evenly into each hole, or by using a spoon to spread them evenly, whatever you prefer. I usually use the spoon method, although you can easily make a piping bag by adding the batter to a Ziploc bag and cutting the corner off to create a tip.
Bake them for around 8 minutes, watching for them to get golden brown on the top. Once baked, let them cool slightly before popping them out of the pan and onto a wire rack. I will usually take a butter knife and run it around the edge of each donut to ensure it comes out nicely. When they come out of the oven, they will look something like this, and your kitchen will smell something like heaven. Or a donut shop. Same thing, right?
Now, time for the best part… the icing! Add powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and cinnamon to a mixing bowl, whisking until smooth. I suggest adding a little cream at a time, whisking until a runny glaze forms and the icing is a pourable consistency. Make sure to place the wire rack with the donuts over a sheet of parchment paper before adding the icing-this will save you clean up time! Add the glaze to the top of the donuts by either spooning it over the top, or by dunking each donut face down into the bowl of icing. Yum yum and yum.
I find the best way to enjoy these donuts is with your morning cup of coffee. Homemade donuts are always a great way to start the day.
Tips for Success
- Store the homemade donuts in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- This recipe can easily be doubled. The more donuts, the better!
- You can use frozen blueberries if that is what you have on hand. I would let them thaw before adding them to the batter, because the donuts have a very short baking time.
- The recipe calls for salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter if you prefer.
Shop this Post for Recommended Tools
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I make a small portion off of them with no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Looking for More Tasty Recipes?
- Chocolate Sweet Rolls
- Simple Strawberry Shortcakes
- Easy Maple Pecan Granola
- Homemade Everything Bagels
- Salted Caramel Brownies
Pin it for Later!
Best Blueberry Cake Donuts
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 cup flour + 3 tbsp for coating berries
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 tbsp oil (I use avocado)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup buttermilk *see note
- 3/4 cup fresh blueberries
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Vanilla Cinnamon Icing
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch cinnamon
Instructions
- Begin by preheating oven to 425 degrees. Lightly grease a donut pan with oil and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix together melted butter, sugar, egg, oil, and milk and stir until combined. Add in vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, mix together one cup of flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix together and then add to wet ingredients, mixing well. The batter will be very thick! Set aside and prepare blueberries.
- Wash and dry blueberries. Add 2-3 tbsp flour to the blueberries and stir gently, making sure all the berries are coated. Add the blueberries to the batter, folding them in gently so they stay intact.
- Add the batter to the pan, filling each hole 2/3 of the way full. You can do this by either putting the batter into a small Ziploc bag, cutting the tip off and piping it in, or by simply using a spoon to spread the batter evenly into each hole. Either works fine.
- Bake for 7-8 minutes or until the donuts begin to brown lightly on the top. While the donuts are baking, prepare the icing by mixing together powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and cinnamon. You may add more heavy cream if needed. You want the icing to be slightly pourable.
- Once the donuts are done, let them cool slightly before popping them out of the pan and onto a cooling rack. I will sometimes run a butter knife around the edge of each donut before removing them from the pan to ensure they come out nicely.
- Add icing to each donut by either using a spoon to spread over the donut, or by dipping each individual donut into the icing face down.
- Enjoy!
Notes
If you do not have buttermilk on hand, you can substitute regular milk and add 1 tbsp of white distilled vinegar. Mix the vinegar and milk together well and let sit for a few minutes before adding to the batter. I do this often!
The heavy cream in the icing recipe can be easily substituted with milk or half and half. Use whatever you have on hand.
If you loved this recipe, I would appreciate it if you came back and gave it 5 stars! I would love to know how it turned out for you.
What is your favorite way to enjoy donuts?
I will enjoy every last crumb of those blueberry donuts – and never be shy to come back for seconds!
Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely! Thank you.
Oh my goodness, these blueberry cake donuts sound delicious! I love that they are baked in the oven rather than fried. I’ve pinned this post to refer back to when I’m ready to bake these. Thanks for sharing!
Me too, thank you! I hope you love them!!
Oh my gosh these look so good! The last time I attempted to make donuts it was a major fail. I will have to save your recipe and try again now!
Thank you!! Let me know how they turn out for you. I hope you love them!
Oooh these sound so yummy! My kids would love these!
Thank you!! Yes, definitely kid approved!
I love cake donuts! This recipe sounds delicious and easy enough to make! Thanks!
Thank you! Let me know how you like them!