Prepare to fall in love with these utterly **Irresistible Baked Red Velvet Cake Donuts**, perfectly crafted for a delightful treat. Unlike traditional fried varieties that can be messy and intimidating, these donuts are baked to golden perfection, offering a moist, fluffy texture without the fuss of hot oil. Each donut is generously crowned with a classic tangy and sweet cream cheese frosting, creating a harmonious balance of flavors that will transport you straight to red velvet cake heaven.

Our recipe expertly recreates the iconic red velvet cake flavor, utilizing the subtle tang of kefir and just the right amount of cocoa powder to achieve that signature hint of chocolate. The result? Stunningly bright red donuts that are not only a feast for the eyes but also a pure joy to eat. They pair impeccably with our homemade cream cheese frosting, making them an ideal dessert for any occasion, from a special breakfast to a festive gathering.

Why You’ll Adore This Baked Red Velvet Donut Recipe

These baked red velvet donuts aren’t just a treat; they’re an experience! Here’s why this recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen:

• Classic Flavor, Fun Form: All the decadent, subtly chocolatey, and tangy notes of traditional red velvet cake are perfectly encapsulated in a delightful, easy-to-eat donut. It’s a playful twist on a beloved classic that makes for a perfect individual serving.
• No Frying Required: Say goodbye to splattering oil and the guilt of deep-fried treats! These donuts are baked, resulting in a lighter, healthier option that’s much simpler to prepare. You’ll achieve a wonderfully moist crumb without any deep-frying hassle.
• Decadent Cream Cheese Frosting: The fluffy, chocolate-flavored donut base is perfectly complemented by a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. This signature pairing is what truly makes red velvet so special, and our frosting recipe delivers on all fronts, providing a luxurious finish.
• Iconic & Vibrant Appearance: The unmistakable bright red color of these donuts makes them a showstopper. They’re not just delicious; they’re visually stunning, making them the perfect Valentine’s Day recipe, holiday dessert, or any occasion where you want to add a pop of color and cheer.
• Enhanced Texture and Moisture: The use of kefir in this recipe doesn’t just add a classic tangy flavor; it also contributes significantly to the incredible moisture and tenderness of these donuts, ensuring every bite is soft and satisfying.
• Easier Than Cake: While offering all the flavors of red velvet cake, these donuts are typically quicker to bake and simpler to frost, making them an excellent choice when you crave red velvet but are short on time.
• A Colorful Alternative: If you’re a fan of my Chocolate Donuts with Sprinkles, you’ll absolutely love this more colorful and equally delicious version, offering a delightful twist on a familiar favorite.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Red Velvet Donuts

Crafting these delectable baked red velvet donuts requires a few key ingredients. Quality matters, so choose fresh products for the best results. Below is a detailed look at the components that make these donuts so special.

• Granulated Sugar: Provides the essential sweetness and contributes to the tender crumb of the donuts.
• Vegetable Oil: A crucial ingredient that keeps these baked donuts incredibly moist and tender. Any neutral-flavored oil like canola or sunflower oil will also work well.
• Large Egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness, structure, and moisture to the donut batter. Ensure it’s at room temperature for better emulsion with other ingredients.
• Lifeway Plain Lowfat Kefir: This is the secret to the classic tangy flavor found in red velvet cake. Kefir also helps to activate the baking powder, resulting in a light and airy texture. It’s a healthier alternative that enhances the traditional taste.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural foundation of our donuts. For best results, measure flour by weight using a kitchen scale or use the spoon-and-level method to avoid a dense donut.
• Cocoa Powder: Just a small amount creates the subtle, traditional chocolatey undertone that is characteristic of red velvet flavor, without overpowering the tang. Use unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Baking Powder: Our primary leavening agent, ensuring the donuts rise beautifully and have that desirable fluffy texture.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and deepening the chocolate notes.
• Red Food Coloring: This gives these red velvet donuts their iconic and vibrant color. I highly recommend using gel food dyes for a more intense color with less liquid, but liquid food coloring will also yield beautiful results. Adjust the amount to your desired shade of red.
• Hot Water: Helps to bloom the cocoa powder, intensifying its flavor and ensuring it disperses evenly throughout the batter.

For the Tangy Cream Cheese Icing:

• Room Temperature Cream Cheese: The star ingredient of our luscious cream cheese frosting, providing its signature tangy flavor and creamy consistency. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free icing.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a stable, pipeable frosting. Like cream cheese, it should be at room temperature for optimal creaming.
• Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): Sweetens the frosting and gives it a smooth, fine texture. Sifting it can help prevent lumps.
• Milk: Used to adjust the consistency of the frosting, making it as thick or thin as you prefer. Start with a small amount and add more gradually.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the frosting, adding a touch of warmth and sweetness.
• Sprinkles (Optional): For a festive touch and extra visual appeal!

See the comprehensive recipe card below for exact measurements and quantities for all ingredients.

Creative Substitutions & Delicious Variations

While this recipe is perfected as is, feel free to experiment with these delicious substitutions and variations to tailor your red velvet donuts to your taste and pantry availability:

• Frosting Alternatives: If cream cheese frosting isn’t your preference, you can substitute it with equal parts butter in place of the cream cheese for a classic buttercream. Alternatively, a simple vanilla glaze made with powdered sugar and milk also makes a delicious, less rich topping.
• Boost the Chocolate Flavor: For an extra dose of chocolate, fold in a handful of mini chocolate chips into the red velvet batter before baking. White chocolate chips would also be a fantastic addition, creating a lovely contrast.
• Color Your World: Not strictly a “red” velvet fan? Feel free to use your favorite color food dye for a fun and personalized twist! Imagine vibrant blue or green donuts for a party, or pastel shades for a spring gathering.
• Kefir Substitute: If Lifeway Kefir is unavailable, full-fat buttermilk can be used in an equal amount. The acidity in buttermilk is crucial for activating the leavening agents and providing that signature tang. Regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar (let sit for 5-10 minutes) can also be used as a makeshift buttermilk.
• Flavor Extracts: While vanilla is classic, try adding a few drops of almond extract to the frosting or a hint of peppermint extract to the donut batter for a festive holiday twist.
• Topping Ideas: Beyond sprinkles, consider topping your frosted donuts with toasted coconut flakes, chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts would be delicious), a drizzle of melted white chocolate, or even a dusting of cocoa powder.

This recipe has not been extensively tested with other substitutions or variations. If you experiment with different ingredients or techniques, please share your results in the comments below! We’d love to hear how it turned out.

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make Baked Red Velvet Donuts

Making these delightful baked red velvet donuts is straightforward and fun! Follow these easy steps to create your own batch of moist, flavorful donuts with a creamy frosting.

Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Donuts

Achieve bakery-quality results with these expert tips, ensuring your red velvet donuts are nothing short of perfect:

1. Combat Red Food Coloring Mess: Red food coloring can be notoriously messy. To protect your hands and clothing, wear an apron and gloves when handling the dye. Immediately wipe up any spills with a damp cloth.
2. Proper Pan Greasing is Key: To ensure your donuts release cleanly from the pan and maintain their shape, thoroughly grease your donut pan. You can use a non-stick cooking spray, or for an even coating, use the wrapper from a stick of butter to grease each cavity.
3. DIY Piping Bag for Easy Filling: For a neat and even distribution of batter into your donut pan, a piping bag is ideal. If you don’t have one, simply fill a gallon-sized Ziploc bag with your donut batter, then snip off a bottom corner (about ½ inch) and pipe the batter into each donut cavity. This method makes filling quick and minimizes mess.
4. Mind Your Donut Pan Size: The quantity of donuts this recipe yields may vary based on the size of your donut pan. I used a standard metal donut pan and got 8 delicious donuts. Adjust baking time slightly if your pan yields larger or smaller donuts.
5. Support Silicone Pans: If you opt for a silicone donut pan, always place it on a sturdy baking tray before filling. This prevents wobbling when you transfer it in and out of the oven, ensuring your batter stays perfectly in place.
6. Measure Ingredients Accurately: Especially for baked goods, precise measurements are crucial. Use a kitchen scale for dry ingredients like flour and sugar (measured in grams) for the most consistent results. This prevents dense or dry donuts.
7. Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix only until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, chewy donut rather than a soft, fluffy one.
8. Cool Completely Before Frosting: Ensure your donuts are entirely cool before applying the cream cheese icing. Warm donuts will melt the frosting, creating a sticky mess instead of a beautifully topped treat.
9. Room Temperature Ingredients for Frosting: For the smoothest, most lump-free cream cheese frosting, make sure both your cream cheese and unsalted butter are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together effortlessly.

Red Velvet Donuts: Your Questions Answered

Have questions about making these delightful red velvet donuts? Here are some frequently asked questions to help you bake with confidence:

Storage Tips for Freshness and Flavor

To keep your red velvet cake donuts tasting their best, proper storage is essential. Here’s how to store them, both frosted and unfrosted:

Room Temperature Storage (Unfrosted)

Red velvet donuts, especially unfrosted, are generally best enjoyed the day they are made for peak freshness and texture. If you have unfrosted donuts, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 to 5 days. Make sure they are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation.

Refrigerator Storage (Frosted)

Since the cream cheese frosting contains dairy, frosted red velvet donuts must be stored in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out or absorbing odors from other foods. They will keep well for up to 1 week. For the best taste and texture, allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

Freezing Instructions

Freezing is a great way to enjoy these donuts later! Once the cake donuts are completely cooled, and before applying any icing, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap individually. Then, place the wrapped donuts in a freezer-safe bag or container to protect them from freezer burn. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw the donuts at room temperature for an hour or two, or briefly warm them in the microwave for 15-30 seconds. Once thawed, you can then frost them with freshly made cream cheese icing and serve.

Discover More Delicious Baking Recipes

If you loved these Red Velvet Cake Donuts, you’ll surely enjoy these other delightful baking recipes from my kitchen. Each recipe is crafted with care to bring you joy and delicious results!

Red Velvet Cake Donuts with Cream Cheese Icing

Kayla Burton