The best Easter treat I make every year is these baked Easter Donuts! They are soft, fluffy, and beautifully decorated with pastel-colored glaze, Easter sprinkles, and mini eggs, making them the perfect springtime dessert. The best part? These donuts are easy to make and healthier than fried ones, making them a great choice for Easter brunch, dessert, or a fun baking activity with kids. I guarantee they’ll be a hit. Check out the VIDEO in the recipe card!
These homemade Easter doughnuts are even better than the ones from Krispy Kreme, Dunkin', or Tim Hortons—I promise! Soft, fluffy, and perfectly glazed, they’re a must-try for your Easter celebrations! Topped with a pastel-colored glaze and festive sprinkles, they bring a fun and delicious touch to any Easter celebration. Don’t forget to check out the VIDEO tutorial in the recipe card!
Interested in more Easter recipes? Check out my Roasted Carrot Hummus—a perfect Easter party appetizer and crowd-pleaser! For delicious side dishes, try Roasted Carrots and Cauliflower or Roasted Carrots and Asparagus—both are amazing additions to your Easter dinner menu!
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Why You’ll Love This Easter Donut Recipe
- Quick & Easy – These donuts come together in just 20 minutes, making them perfect for Easter brunch, dessert, or a fun baking activity with kids. My daughter loves glazing and decorating them with sprinkles—it’s so much fun!
- Light & Airy Texture – These baked donuts are soft, fluffy, and healthier than traditional fried ones, with fewer calories but just as much deliciousness!
- Fun & Festive – Topped with pastel-colored glaze, Easter sprinkles, and mini eggs, these donuts are a perfect springtime treat. After all, who doesn’t love sprinkles on their baked goodies?
- Customizable – Change up the glaze colors and toppings to match any holiday! Try red and green for Christmas, red for Valentine’s Day, or a simple white glaze with rainbow sprinkles for birthdays.
- Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser – Whether for family gatherings, Easter parties, or gifting, these donuts are always a hit! Once you serve them, everyone will be asking for the recipe—no doubt!
What to Serve with Baked Donuts
Pair your baked Easter donuts with these delicious drinks and sides to create the ultimate Easter brunch or dessert spread! Below are my few favorite serving options!
- Vanilla Bean Latte – A smooth and creamy latte that pairs beautifully with sweet donuts.
- Salted Caramel Latte – The perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors to enjoy alongside your Easter treats.
- Freshly Squeezed Juice – Orange juice, lemonade, or a citrus spritzer adds a refreshing balance.
- Fruit Platter – Serve with sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and oranges for a fresh contrast.
- Chia Seed Pudding - Layer Greek yogurt, chia seed pudding, and maple syrup with fresh mixed berries for a balanced addition.
- Deviled Eggs – A classic Easter brunch staple for a protein-packed side.
- Nutella-Covered Strawberries – A fresh and indulgent pairing with donuts.
Ingredients and SUBSTITUTIONS
The below mentioned simple pantry ingredients come together to make the most delightful, fluffy, and festive Easter donuts! Customize them however you like and enjoy a fun holiday treat!
- All-Purpose Flour – The base for soft, fluffy donuts! Want a gluten-free option? Swap with 1:1 gluten-free baking flour or oat flour for a healthier twist.
- Baking Powder – The magic ingredient that makes your donuts light and airy.
- Granulated Sugar – Adds the right amount of sweetness to your donuts. The mentioned sugar is just the perfect amount of sweetness with the glaze. If you are not going to make glaze then I recommend adding ¼ cup more sugar in the donut batter to balance it. For a healthier option, try coconut sugar or a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener.
- Egg – Helps bind everything together while adding richness. Need an egg-free version? Use a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoon water) or unsweetened applesauce.
- Milk – Keeps the donuts moist and tender. You can also use buttermilk instead.
- Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and flavor. Swap it with coconut oil or a neutral oil like vegetable or avocado oil for a dairy-free option.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the flavor and aroma of the donuts. For a twist, you can also use almond or lemon extract for a different flavor profile!
- Powdered Sugar (for the glaze) – Creates a smooth and glossy glaze.
- Milk (for the glaze) – Helps thin out the glaze to the perfect consistency. You can swap it with almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
- Food Coloring & Sprinkles – The secret to that festive Easter look! Use natural food dyes from beet juice or turmeric for a more natural option.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Homemade Easter Donuts Recipe
These Easter baked donuts are lighter than fried donuts but just as indulgent, making them perfect for brunch, dessert, or a kid-friendly baking activity. Decorate them with mini eggs for an extra festive touch, and you’ve got the cutest mini egg donuts that everyone will love! It takes just 8 simple steps:
Preheat & Prep – Preheat the oven and grease the donut pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients – Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Mix Wet Ingredients – Combine the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Combine – Gently mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
Fill the Donut Cavities – Pipe the batter into the donut pan.
Bake & Cool – Bake until golden, then let the donuts cool completely.
Make the Pastel Glaze – Mix powdered sugar, milk, and food coloring.
Dip & Decorate – Glaze the donuts and top with sprinkles or mini eggs.
Lets see them with step-by step instruction images below!
Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl.
Step 2: In a seperate bowl combine the wet ingredients.
Step 3: Folding the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients mixture.
- Step 4: Fill the donut pan cavities with the prepared batter.
Step 5: Prepare the pastel colored glazing in 4 different small bowls.
Step 6: Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze and tap the excess glaze.
Let the glaze fully set for about 10-15 minutes, allowing it to form a smooth, glossy finish that holds the sprinkles and decorations beautifully. Once set, take a bite into these soft, fluffy, and perfectly baked Easter donuts, bursting with a light, airy texture and a sweet, pastel-colored glaze. Whether you’re enjoying them with a hot cup of coffee, serving them at Easter brunch, or sharing them with family and friends, these festive donuts are sure to bring joy and sweetness to your celebration!
Hint: If making ahead, store unfrosted donuts separately and glaze them fresh for the best look and taste!
Variations
- Lemon Glazed Donuts – Add lemon zest and juice to the batter for a bright citrusy flavor, and glaze with a lemon-powdered sugar glaze.
- Chocolate Easter Donuts – Replace ½ cup flour with cocoa powder for a rich, chocolatey twist. Drizzle with white chocolate glaze and top with sprinkles! It tastes amazing!
- Carrot Cake Donuts – Mix in grated carrots, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a carrot cake-inspired treat! Top with cream cheese glaze for extra indulgence. Treat for cake cake lovers!
- Gluten-Free Easter Donuts – Swap all-purpose flour with 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for a gluten-free version that’s just as fluffy and delicious!
Equipment
- Donut Pan – Essential for getting that perfect donut shape! Use a silicone or nonstick metal pan. I have linked the donut pan I used for this recipe.
- Mixing Bowls – You’ll need one for dry ingredients and one for wet ingredients to mix everything smoothly.
- Whisk & Spatula – A whisk helps blend ingredients evenly, while a spatula is great for folding the batter.
- Piping Bag – Makes it easy to fill the donut cavities neatly without a mess. Simply cut the tip and pipe!
- Measuring Cups & Spoons – To measure the dry and wet ingredients accurately.
- Cooling Rack – Helps the donuts cool evenly before glazing, preventing sogginess.
- Small Bowls – For mixing different pastel-colored glazes to decorate your donuts.
Storage
Room Temperature (1-2 Days) – Store unglazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If glazed, they are best enjoyed the same day.
Refrigerator (4-5 Days) – Keep glazed or unglazed donuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezer (Up to 2 Months) – Freeze unglazed donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a ziplock bag or airtight container. Thaw at room temperature and glaze before serving.
Reheating – Warm stored donuts in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to refresh their softness.
Chef Tips for Making the Best Baked Easter Donuts
- Use Fresh Ingredients – Fresh baking powder, vanilla extract, and high-quality butter will give your donuts the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter - Stir until just combined! Overmixing leads to dense and chewy donuts instead of soft and fluffy ones.
- Use a Piping Bag – Spoon batter into a piping bag or ziplock bag, cut the tip, and neatly fill the donut pan for evenly shaped donuts.
- Fill Only ¾ Full – Avoid overfilling the donut cavities to prevent overflow and keep the classic donut shape.
- Grease the Pan Well – Lightly coat your donut pan with baking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Check for Doneness – Insert a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean, the donuts are ready! Overbaking can dry them out.
- Cool Before Glazing – Allow the donuts cool completely on a wire rack before glazing. Warm donuts will melt the glaze and make a mess!
- Decorate Right Away – Add sprinkles, mini eggs, or toppings immediately after dipping in glaze so they stick perfectly.
FAQ
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour with 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for a gluten-free version that’s just as fluffy and delicious.
It’s best to bake the donuts fresh, but you can prepare the dry and wet ingredients separately and mix them just before baking.
Yes! You can freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months in an airtight container. Let them thaw at room temperature and glaze before serving.
Over Mixing the batter can cause dense donuts. Mix until just combined to keep them light and airy.
Yes absolutely! Bake in an air fryer at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. Follw the rest of the instructions for making glaze according to the recipe.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this baked donut recipe:
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Easter Donuts Recipe + VIDEO
Equipment
- Donut pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Cooling rack
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Easter Donuts:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk at room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Easter sprinkles for decoration
- Mini eggs for decoration
- Baking spray to grease the donut pan
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring pastel pink, blue, yellow, etc.
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with butter or nonstick spray to ensure your donuts release easily after baking. Set aside while you prepare the batter.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until well combined. This step ensures an even distribution of ingredients, giving you light and fluffy donuts.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. This mixture brings richness and flavor to your donuts while keeping them soft and moist.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—a few lumps are fine! Overmixing can lead to dense donuts.
- Transfer the batter to a piping bag or ziplock bag, cut the tip, and pipe the batter into each donut cavity, filling about ¾ full to allow room for rising.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown and spring back when lightly touched. A toothpick inserted should come out clean. Mine took exactly 12 minutes to bake but it really depends on the oven.
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Divide the glaze into separate bowls, add a few drops of pastel food coloring to each, and mix well to create beautiful Easter-inspired shades. I used pink, orange, yellow and blue. A tiny drop goes a long way!
- Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze, ensuring an even coat. Lift and let the excess drip off before placing the donuts back on the wire rack. While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle with Easter sprinkles or top with mini eggs for a festive touch. Let the glaze set for about 10-15 minutes.
- The recipe yields exactly 12 donuts! Once the glaze is set, enjoy your beautifully decorated Easter donuts!
Video
Notes
- Stir the batter until just combined to keep the donuts light and fluffy. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough donuts.
- A slightly thicker glaze helps the colors stand out beautifully. If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar; if too thick, add a little milk.
- Lightly spray the donut cavities with baking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy release.
- Want to skip store-bought food colors? Try beet powder, turmeric, matcha, or freeze-dried raspberry powder for beautiful, natural pastel shades!
Abi Guna says
I had so much fun making this recipe with my daughter! Best DIY donuts recipe to enjoy baking and decorating with your family during the spring break for Easter!