Description
Zesty baked lemon donuts bring Mediterranean sunshine to classic pastry lovers. Sweet-tangy glaze and delicate crumb make these treats perfect for morning indulgence or afternoon tea with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 200 g (1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 100 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 150 g (1 ¼ cups) powdered sugar
Wet Ingredients:
- 120 ml (½ cup) buttermilk (or milk + ½ tablespoon lemon juice)
- 2 large eggs
- 60 g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 23 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Flavoring and Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 1–2 lemons)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- Yellow sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Calibrate the oven temperature to 180C (350F) and prepare a 6-cavity donut mold with non-stick spray or butter coating.
- Create a fluffy dry mixture by whisking flour, granulated sweetener, leavening agents, and seasoning in a spacious mixing vessel.
- In a separate container, blend liquid components including buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, citrus juice, fragrant zest, and aromatic extract until achieving a harmonious consistency.
- Gently cascade wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring with minimal agitation to prevent dense texture formation.
- Utilize a piping mechanism or sealed bag with trimmed corner to distribute batter evenly into donut cavities, ensuring each compartment receives approximately two-thirds full volume.
- Position the donut tray in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring until surfaces transform into a delicate golden hue and a testing implement emerges without residual batter.
- Allow pastries to rest within the mold for five minutes, facilitating initial stabilization, then carefully transfer to a cooling platform for complete temperature reduction.
Notes
- Zest Selection: Choose bright, firm lemons with vibrant yellow skin for maximum citrusy flavor and aromatic punch.
- Mixing Technique: Fold wet and dry ingredients together gently to prevent tough, dense donuts by avoiding overmixing.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these donuts suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Storage Wisdom: Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or refrigerate to extend freshness up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg