Ever feel like you’re running a restaurant where the only menu item is plain pasta? I get it. Some days, getting a “yum” instead of a “yuck” feels like a major win.
That’s why I’m so excited to share our family’s new favorite trick: Strawberry Shortcake Donuts Baked. They sound fancy, but I promise they’re the opposite. They’re a simple, fun bake that turns breakfast or snack time into a tiny celebration. And the best part? My pickiest critic gave them two sticky thumbs up. If you love strawberry desserts, you should also try our Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow for another easy, crowd-pleasing treat.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Breakfast Dessert / Morning Treat
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 12 donuts
Why Even My Picky Eaters Love This!
Let’s be real. The word “donut” does most of the work. But these are a secret superhero in our house. They’re baked, not fried, so they feel a bit lighter. The cake is soft and sweet, and the fresh strawberry glaze is like a pink hug on top.
Kids love the fun shape and the sprinkle of crumb topping. It feels like a dessert, but it’s perfectly acceptable for a Saturday morning. It’s a win-win that makes everyone smile.
Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List
I bet you have most of this in your pantry right now. No fancy trips needed!
For the Baked Donuts:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder & salt
- Milk (any kind you have)
- Egg
- Melted butter or neutral oil
- Vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Glaze & Topping:
- Fresh strawberries
- Powdered sugar
- A little milk or cream
- Shortbread cookie crumbs (or graham cracker crumbs!) for that “shortcake” feel
How to Get the Kids Involved in Cooking This
This is a fantastic first baking project. The steps are simple and the reward is delicious.
My little ones love to help with the jobs that feel big but are totally safe. Their favorite task is mixing the glaze. Let them mash the strawberries with a fork—it’s a great way to get out any leftover after-school energy!
Strawberry Shortcake Donuts Baked Recipe
Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List
The Full Step-by-Step Instructions
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Strawberry Shortcake Donuts Baked Recipe!
Nutrition Information
They also take their job as “sprinkle manager” very seriously. Handing them the bowl of cookie crumbs to sprinkle over the glazed donuts gives them a real sense of pride in the final product. For another great family meal where everyone can help, check out our simple Baked Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken.
The Full Step-by-Step Instructions
Don’t let the donut pan scare you. This comes together faster than you can find a missing sock.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your donut pan well. This is the key to easy release!
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Gently stir until just combined. A few lumps are totally fine; overmixing makes tough donuts.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut cavities, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the donuts spring back when lightly touched.
- Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- For the glaze, mash 4-5 strawberries until juicy. Whisk in powdered sugar and a splash of milk until you have a thick, pourable glaze.
- Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze, let the excess drip off, and place back on the rack.
- Immediately sprinkle with the shortbread cookie crumbs before the glaze sets. Enjoy!
Fun Twists for Different Tastes
Got a kid who hates “chunks”? No problem. Use a blender to make the strawberry glaze completely smooth.
You can also serve the glaze on the side as a dip. Sometimes, having control is everything to a little one.
For a fun variation, swap the strawberries for blueberries or raspberries. For the adults, a tiny bit of lemon zest in the batter or a drizzle of white chocolate is amazing.
Storing & Reheating (Perfect for Busy Nights)
These are best the day they’re made, but they store well for a quick morning treat.
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. If you need to keep them longer, pop them in the fridge.
You can also freeze the unglazed donuts! Just wrap them well and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and glaze when you’re ready.
Nutrition Notes
This is a treat, but it’s nice to know what’s inside. Here’s a simple breakdown per donut (approximate):
- Calories: ~180
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 2g
- Using whole milk adds calcium and vitamin D.
- Fresh strawberries provide a boost of vitamin C!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I don’t have a donut pan. Can I still make these?
Absolutely! You can bake this batter in a muffin tin. Just fill the cups halfway and adjust the bake time to about 15-18 minutes. You’ll have delicious strawberry shortcake “muffin tops” instead. If you’re looking for another fantastic muffin recipe, our Pumpkin Banana Muffins with Strawberry Lemon Glaze are a moist and flavorful favorite.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
You can, but thaw and drain them very well first. The extra liquid can make your glaze too runny. I find fresh berries work best for a bright, strong flavor.
My glaze is too runny/thick. How do I fix it?
This is super common! If it’s too runny, whisk in more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thick to dip, add more mashed berries or a tiny bit more milk. You’ve got this.
So there you have it. A simple, joyful recipe that might just become your new secret weapon. It turns an ordinary morning into something a little special, and sometimes that’s all we need.
I truly hope these baked donuts bring as much happiness to your kitchen as they do to mine. I’d love to know if this was a hit with your family! Please leave a comment and rating below!
