Description
Indulgent Red Velvet Donuts bring Southern charm to your dessert table with their rich cocoa and crimson hue. Creamy cream cheese glaze and delicate crumb make these treats irresistible for weekend brunches or special celebrations you’ll want to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups (157 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) buttermilk (or ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk + ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) vinegar)
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
Dry Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) baking soda
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt
Flavoring and Coloring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) red food coloring
Frosting Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) milk
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a 6-cavity donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, whisking flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
- In a separate large bowl, blend sugar, buttermilk, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, white vinegar, and red food coloring until the mixture is smooth and vibrant.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just incorporated to prevent overmixing.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity approximately three-quarters full for optimal rising.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 11-13 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that should come out clean.
- Allow donuts to rest in the pan for 4-5 minutes to set their structure, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack.
- Prepare the cream cheese glaze by whipping cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until silky and smooth.
- Adjust the glaze consistency by adding small amounts of milk if it seems too thick.
- Carefully dunk each cooled donut into the glaze or artfully drizzle the topping over the surface.
- Embellish with festive red sprinkles or delicate crushed red velvet crumbs for visual appeal.
- Serve immediately and savor the rich, decadent flavor.
Notes
- Achieve vibrant color by using gel food coloring instead of liquid for more intense red hue.
- Prevent dry donuts by avoiding overmixing the batter and not overbaking beyond 12 minutes.
- Swap buttermilk with regular milk and vinegar if unavailable by mixing 1 tablespoon vinegar with 1 cup milk and letting sit for 5 minutes.
- Make gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for celiac or wheat-sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 196
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg