Gather 'round, my fellow bakers, for today we shall embark on a culinary adventure filled with sweetness and delight! Allow me to introduce the most scrumptious, marvellous, and, dare I say, health-conscious Baked Doughnuts you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting. They're light, airy, and baked to perfection, sparing you the guilt that often accompanies their fried counterparts. Indeed, these are the very doughnuts we employ for our revered doughnut cakes!

As they're a healthier version of the beloved confection, you may indulge in more than one without a pang of remorse (but who's counting, really?).

To make these heavenly doughnuts, follow the super quick recipe below, and prepare to indulge in their unparalleled taste. These baked beauties can be adapted in a myriad of ways, from glazes and toppings to alternative flavours, so you'll never tire of their enchanting charm. And with our handy storage and serving tips, you'll enjoy them at their very best, whenever the craving strikes.

So, dear bakers, let us raise our piping bags and unite in the pursuit of doughnut perfection. Once you've tried this delightful recipe, you'll be positively chuffed to bits! And remember, our doughnut cakes featuring these very same doughnuts are available for purchase online—because life's too short not to have your cake (or doughnut) and eat it too!

How to Make Baked Doughnuts from Scratch

Ingredients

• 2 Eggs, lightly beaten
• 100g cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 30g melted butter
• 180ml buttermilk
• 200g plain flour
• 40g cornflour
• 150g granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 200g white chocolate chips or grated
• Sprinkles
• Gel food colourings

Making the Batter

1. Preheat the oven to 215 degrees Celsius and spray a 12-hole doughnut pan with cooking oil spray.
2. In a measuring jug, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract, and then beat in the melted butter.
3. Sift the flours, salt, and baking powder into a mixing bowl and stir in the granulated sugar.
4. Slowly pour the buttermilk mixture into the mixing bowl and whisk into a smooth batter until no lumps are visible.
5. Ladle the batter into a piping bag with a 5mm opening and pipe the batter into each doughnut hole in an even circular motion until just over half full.
6. Bake the doughnuts for 8 minutes until they are golden brown and springy to the touch.
7. Once baked, leave to cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
8. Slowly twist out each doughnut and let cool on a wire rack.
9. Gently twist out each doughnut and let them cool on a wire rack.

Decorating the Doughnuts

1. Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler (or a microwave oven in a microwaveable dish, stirring every 10 seconds).
2. Boil the cream in a small saucepan and pour it into the white chocolate, stirring until well combined.
3. Using a cocktail stick, add a small amount of gel paste colouring to achieve the desired pastel shade—a little goes a long way!
4. Once the glaze has cooled to 30-33 degrees Celsius, dip one side of each doughnut into the glaze and decorate with an abundance of sprinkles!

Variations and Additions

Experimenting with different flavours and textures can elevate your doughnuts to the next level. Try these exciting variations and additions to create a unique taste sensation.

Glaze

• Cover your doughnuts with fruit preserves, such as raspberry, strawberry or apricot, to add a sweet and fruity surprise.
• Glaze your doughnuts with Nutella, peanut butter or Biscoff spread for a rich and indulgent twist.
• For a classic touch, pipe some homemade or shop-bought custard or whipped cream.

Toppings

• Experiment with different types of chocolate glaze, such as milk or dark chocolate, to cater to different preferences.
• Try crushed nuts, such as almonds, pistachios or hazelnuts, for added crunch and flavour.
• Use desiccated coconut or crumbled biscuits to create a delightful texture on your doughnuts.
• Drizzle caramel or fruit sauce over the doughnuts for an extra layer of flavour.

Alternative Flavours

• Swap the vanilla extract for almond or lemon extract to create a new taste profile.
• Add spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, to the batter for a warm and comforting flavour.
• Incorporate cocoa powder or coffee granules into the batter for a chocolate or mocha twist.
• Try adding zests of citrus fruits, such as orange or lemon, to give your doughnuts a bright and zesty flavour.

Tips for Storage and Serving

Enjoying your doughnuts at their best is important. Follow these tips to ensure your doughnuts stay fresh and delicious.

• Store your doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Avoid refrigeration, as it can cause the doughnuts to become stale and dry.
• If you want to make your doughnuts in advance, freeze them without any filling or glaze. When you're ready to serve, defrost them at room temperature and then fill and decorate as desired.
• For the ultimate indulgence, serve your doughnuts slightly warm. Simply heat them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.

With these variations, additions, and tips, you can create a delightful array of doughnuts to impress your friends and family. Enjoy experimenting and indulging in your delicious homemade treats!

I hope you enjoyed - we've been using the same recipe for years for doughnut cakes. Buy them online!