Imagine biting into a soft, fluffy donut, bursting with colorful sprinkles and a hint of vanilla. These delightful Baked Funfetti Donuts are a celebration in every bite, promising joy without the guilt of deep-frying. They are simple to make, perfect for any occasion, and guaranteed to bring smiles. Get ready to bake a batch of happiness right in your own kitchen.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Baked Funfetti Donuts
- Effortlessly delicious: Quick prep, easy baking, and maximum flavor.
- Guilt-free indulgence: Baked, not fried, making them a healthier treat for everyone.
- Kid-friendly magic: Bright sprinkles delight young and old alike, sparking joy.
- Perfect for sharing: A wonderful addition to any family gathering or brunch spread.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For truly exceptional Baked Funfetti Donuts, the quality of your ingredients matters immensely. Each component plays a vital role in creating that perfect flavor and texture we all adore, reminiscent of happy kitchen moments with family.
- All-Purpose Flour: About 1 ½ cups. Always choose a good quality unbleached flour; it truly makes a difference in the tenderness and crumb of your baked donuts, reflecting the care you put into your baking.
- Granulated Sugar: ½ cup. A fine granulated sugar ensures a delicate sweetness that blends seamlessly into the batter, avoiding any grittiness and enhancing the overall joy of these Funfetti Donuts.
- Baking Powder: 1 ½ teaspoons. Fresh baking powder is absolutely crucial for achieving that light, airy rise that makes our Baked Funfetti Donuts so delightfully fluffy.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon. A small amount of salt doesn’t make things salty, but rather wakes up and brightens all the other flavors, creating a more balanced and delicious treat.
- Milk: ¾ cup. Whole milk works wonders for richness and moisture, contributing to a tender crumb. However, feel free to use your preferred milk; the important thing is the love poured into these donuts.
- Unsalted Butter: ¼ cup, melted. Good quality unsalted butter adds a subtle richness and depth of flavor that can’t be replicated, making these delightful treats truly special.
- Egg: 1 large. Room temperature eggs combine more effectively with other ingredients, creating a smoother, more emulsified batter that bakes beautifully. This small detail makes a big difference.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon. Pure vanilla extract is essential for that classic, comforting aroma and flavor that defines a perfect baked good. It’s the soul of these Baked Funfetti Donuts.
- Rainbow Sprinkles: ½ cup, plus more for topping. The star of our Funfetti Donuts! Choose good quality sprinkles that hold their color well during baking, ensuring that vibrant, celebratory look.
For the Glaze:
- Powdered Sugar: 1 ½ cups. Sifted powdered sugar is key to a smooth, lump-free glaze that drapes elegantly over your baked creations, adding that final touch of sweetness and charm.
- Milk: 2-3 tablespoons. Adjust the milk gradually until you achieve a glaze consistency that coats the back of a spoon beautifully, ready to adorn these vibrant treats.
- Vanilla Extract: ¼ teaspoon. A touch more vanilla in the glaze elevates its flavor, harmonizing with the donut itself and creating an irresistible finish.
Substitutions & Variations
Craving healthier Baked Funfetti Donuts? Use whole wheat pastry flour for fiber or unsweetened applesauce for a portion of the butter. Almond milk can replace dairy.
Sweeten glazes with maple syrup. Add lemon zest or a dash of almond extract for unique flavors. These simple swaps keep your Funfetti Donuts wholesome and delicious.
Note: This video is for demonstration purposes and may use a slightly different methode.
If you’re looking for ways to make your Baked Funfetti Donuts even healthier, consider checking out the recipe for Baked Vanilla Bean Donuts, which showcases wholesome ingredient substitutes that maintain flavor while adding fiber.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Donut Pan: A standard 6-cavity donut pan is absolutely essential for baking perfectly shaped Baked Funfetti Donuts, ensuring uniform size and even cooking. It’s a small investment that brings much joy.
- Mixing Bowls: Two medium-sized bowls make the process streamlined, allowing you to keep wet and dry ingredients separate until the perfect moment for combining them.
- Whisk: A good whisk ensures that your dry ingredients are perfectly combined, preventing any pockets of baking powder and contributing to a uniform rise in your donuts.
- Spatula: A flexible spatula is invaluable for gently folding in ingredients and making sure every bit of delicious batter makes it into the pan, minimizing waste.
- Piping Bag (optional): While optional, a sturdy zip-top bag with the corner snipped off makes filling the donut molds much cleaner and easier, resulting in beautifully shaped Baked Funfetti Donuts with minimal mess.
- Wire Rack: A wire rack allows air to circulate around your beautiful creations, preventing them from becoming soggy as they cool and ensuring a perfect texture for glazing.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your donut pan with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking. Preheating ensures an even bake and helps the Baked Funfetti Donuts rise beautifully from the start. Greasing the pan properly is a little act of love, guaranteeing your delightful donuts release without a hitch, keeping their perfect shape.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Thoroughly whisking your dry ingredients ensures the leavening agent is evenly distributed, which is crucial for a consistent, fluffy texture in every bite.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Mixing wet ingredients separately allows for better emulsification. This step prepares a smooth liquid base that will hydrate the dry ingredients beautifully, contributing to a tender crumb.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a spatula until just combined. Remember, a few small lumps are perfectly fine! Overmixing is the enemy of tender baked goods; it develops gluten excessively, making for tough, rather than delicate, Baked Funfetti Donuts.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in the ½ cup of rainbow sprinkles. This delicate touch is key to preventing the colors from bleeding into the batter, preserving the vibrant, celebratory look of your Funfetti Donuts. We want bursts of color, not muddy pastels!
- Fill the Pan: Spoon or, better yet, pipe the batter into the prepared donut cavities, filling each about two-thirds full. Using a piping bag makes this step incredibly neat and helps create perfectly shaped Baked Funfetti Donuts, a true joy to behold.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the Baked Funfetti Donuts are lightly golden around the edges and spring back gently when touched. Resist the urge to open the oven too early! This precise baking time ensures they are cooked through but remain moist and tender.
- Cool: Let the Baked Funfetti Donuts cool in the pan for just 5 minutes to firm up slightly before carefully transferring them to a wire rack. This step is crucial for preventing them from breaking as you move them. Allow them to cool completely; patience is a virtue, especially before glazing your beautiful Baked Funfetti Donuts.
- Prepare Glaze: While the donuts cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until wonderfully smooth. Adjust the milk gradually, a teaspoon at a time, until you achieve a glaze consistency that’s thick enough to coat but still flows elegantly.
- Glaze & Decorate: Once the Baked Funfetti Donuts are completely cool, dip each donut into the prepared glaze, swirling gently. Lift, letting any excess drip off, then immediately place them back on the wire rack. Before the glaze sets, generously sprinkle with extra rainbow sprinkles. This is where the magic happens, making your Funfetti Donuts truly sparkle!
- Set: Allow the glaze to set for about 15-20 minutes, or until firm to the touch. This ensures a clean, non-sticky finish, ready for sharing and enjoying.
For an even richer taste, you might enjoy Baked Chocolate Donuts as an alternative. These variations also require similar prep steps, ensuring your baking experience is smooth and enjoyable.
Pro Tips for Success
- Do Not Overmix: This is perhaps the most important tip for achieving truly light and fluffy Baked Funfetti Donuts. When you overmix, you develop the gluten in the flour too much, which leads to a dense, chewy texture. We want a delicate crumb, so mix only until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined, and a few small lumps are perfectly acceptable.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensuring your egg and milk are at room temperature before mixing is a small step with a big impact. Room temperature ingredients combine more smoothly and evenly into the batter, creating a better emulsion. This leads to a more consistent texture and a beautifully risen Baked Funfetti Donuts, a testament to thoughtful baking.
- Fill Correctly: It’s tempting to squeeze in extra batter, but filling your donut cavities about two-thirds full is the sweet spot. This prevents the batter from overflowing during baking and ensures a well-defined, perfectly shaped donut. Using a piping bag truly makes this task easy and mess-free, resulting in uniformly gorgeous donuts every time.
- Sprinkle Strategy: To keep the vibrant colors of your sprinkles from bleeding into the batter, incorporate them gently at the very end of the mixing process. For that extra festive touch, add the additional rainbow sprinkles immediately after dipping in the glaze, while it is still wet and tacky. This ensures they adhere beautifully, creating that iconic funfetti look on your delightful Funfetti Donuts.
- Cool Completely: Patience is key! Glazing warm donuts will inevitably cause the glaze to melt, run off, and create a messy situation. Allow your Baked Funfetti Donuts to cool completely on a wire rack. This ensures the glaze sets perfectly, creating a beautiful, smooth, and non-sticky coating.
Storage & Reheating Tips
These delightful Baked Funfetti Donuts are truly at their peak the day they are made, offering the freshest taste and texture. However, if you find yourself with any delicious leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. To maintain their pristine condition and prevent the glaze from sticking together, you can place a piece of parchment paper between layers if you need to stack them.
It’s generally best to avoid refrigerating these delightful treats, as the cold air can dry them out and alter their delicate texture. These donuts are truly wonderful when enjoyed at room temperature, making them a convenient and irresistible treat for any time of day.
While enjoying your freshly made Baked Funfetti Donuts, consider exploring The Woman’s Baked Donuts for additional tips on storing and maintaining their delightful freshness.
What to Serve With This Recipe
These charming donuts, bursting with color and sweetness, make a fantastic treat for any time of day. While perfectly delightful on their own, pairing them with wholesome options can beautifully balance the indulgence, turning a simple snack into a memorable occasion, much like the joyful gatherings of my own family.
- Fresh Fruit Platter: A vibrant assortment of fresh berries, crisp sliced melons, and juicy grapes offers a refreshing, light contrast to the sweet glaze, awakening the palate with natural flavors.
- Yogurt Parfaits: Layers of creamy Greek yogurt, crunchy granola, and mixed berries provide a boost of protein and fiber, transforming these treats into a satisfying and well-rounded brunch option.
- Light Green Salad: Believe it’s possible! A simple, crisp green salad tossed with a light lemon vinaigrette can surprisingly cleanse the palate. This unexpected pairing works wonderfully if you are serving these festive donuts as part of a celebratory brunch or luncheon.
- Smoothie: A vibrant fruit and spinach smoothie adds a delightful dose of vitamins and nutrients, creating a perfectly balanced breakfast alongside these joyful, sprinkle-laden delights.
- Hot Beverage: A warm cup of freshly brewed coffee, a comforting tea, or even a classic glass of cold milk perfectly complements the sweetness and flavors of these homemade donuts, enhancing the overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a good quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. It’s important to ensure your chosen blend contains xanthan gum, or add about ½ teaspoon per cup of flour, as it helps with the structure. While the texture might be ever so slightly different, they will still be wonderfully delicious and bring smiles to everyone, just like the traditional version.
Why did my sprinkles bleed into the batter?
Sprinkles can sometimes bleed if they are overmixed into the batter or if the batter sits for an extended period before baking. To prevent this, make sure to fold them in gently and quickly at the very last moment, just before portioning the batter into the donut pan. Additionally, investing in higher quality sprinkles can make a significant difference, as some cheaper varieties are more prone to bleeding their colors into the batter, diminishing that vibrant funfetti effect.
Can I freeze these baked donuts?
Yes, you certainly can! For the best results, I recommend freezing them *before* glazing. Once your baked donuts are completely cooled, arrange the unglazed donuts in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container, and they will keep well for up to 2 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them at room temperature, then proceed with glazing and decorating as usual. While glazed donuts can also be frozen, be aware that the glaze might become slightly sticky or develop small cracks upon thawing, so unglazed is often the preferred method.
Baked Funfetti Donuts are a delightful variation of traditional donuts known for their vibrant appearance and sweet taste. Often made for celebrations or special occasions, these treats can be baked rather than fried, making them a guilt-free indulgence that can delight both kids and adults alike. Learn more about this delightful treat on this Doughnut page.
Final Thoughts
Baking these funfetti donuts brings back childhood joy, reminding me of simple family celebrations and sweet moments shared. They’re more than just a treat; they’re a sprinkle of happiness, a taste of home. Share these delightful creations and create new, cherished memories with your loved ones, just as I hope you do.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Here’s a brief overview of the nutritional values for one Baked Funfetti Donut (approximate values, varies with ingredients and portion size):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180-200 kcal |
| Total Fat | 6-8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4-5 g |
| Cholesterol | 30-40 mg |
| Sodium | 150-180 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 30-35 g |
| Dietary Fiber | <1 g |
| Total Sugars | 20-25 g |
| Protein | 2-3 g |
These are estimates; actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Baked Funfetti Donuts
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your donut pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined.
- Fold in the rainbow sprinkles.
- Fill the donut pan about two-thirds full with the batter.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and springy.
- Cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Dip cooled donuts in glaze and sprinkle with more rainbow sprinkles.
- Let the glaze set for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Notes
Hi there, I’m chef living in New York City. Every morning, I wake up to the sounds of my little one’s laughter and the comforting routine of preparing breakfast for my family my husband, our child, and my beloved mother, who’s become both my rock and my inspiration since my father passed away. As the only daughter left in our family, I feel a deep responsibility to carry on his memory whenever I step into the kitchen.
- Dominique
- Dominique
- Dominique
- Dominique
