Author: Heather
Category: Desserts
Published Date: 03/17/2021
Comments: 48
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These green velvet donuts were not supposed to be. Truth is, I had planned a totally different baked good for this St. Patrick’s Day. But things don’t always turn out the way you want them to.
I decided to make a green velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing and a rainbow design on top. I planned it out for weeks. I purchased all of the ingredients and then I got to work.
The first batch was incredibly thick. It wasn’t the right consistency. I triple checked the recipe and couldn’t figure out what I missed, so it went down the drain and I promised to try again the following day.
The second batch of green velvet donuts was even worse. They were more like muffins than cupcakes. They weren’t the right color green, instead they were more of a split pea soup color.
The rainbow decorations I had planned were too flimsy. There was no way they were going to sit on top of a cupcake longer than thirty seconds.
Then that night, feeling defeated, I got into bed, closed my eyes and suddenly my brain remembered my red velvet donut recipe. Why couldn’t I just take that recipe and use green food coloring instead of red?! Donuts are just as yummy as cupcakes and they are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day too!
The next morning, I pulled out my donut pans, because baked donuts are everything and got to work. I only wish I had thought of this sooner.
Using that red velvet recipe, you can create just about any dark color donut. It’s super important that you use liquid food coloring and not gel. It will make all the difference in the end.
I was going to dip these green velvet donuts in my favorite cream cheese icing, but then realized we had some leftover fruity cereal in the pantry. I am loving the way they turned out and I’m sure you will also!
Once the green velvet donuts have cooled off, you’ll want to put your cream cheese icing into one deep dish bowl and then your topping (fruity cereal in our case) in a second deep dish bowl. First, dip the top of the donut into the icing and then place it straight into the topping. When you turn it over, it should be a beautifully fancy looking donut!
You’ll want to make sure that the cream cheese icing is a good consistency. Too thick and it won’t go on the donut easily. Too runny and it won’t stay on the donut.
It’s easy to fix it. If it’s too thick, add more milk. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar. Be sure to do all of that before you remove it from the electric mixer and put it into the dish for dipping.
Make sure to fill your donut pan halfway. The green velvet donuts will rise in the oven. I have found that this particular recipe makes 12 donuts, so make sure to distribute the batter evenly.
To get the batter into your donut pan, you can either use a spoon, a small scoop or a piping bag. I have found that the piping bag is your quickest method. They have great disposable options which makes cleanup so much easier.
Depending on the donut pan you have, you may not need to grease it, but I do it just in case. I always use avocado oil spray. It’s a great, healthier alternative and it works perfectly.
These green velvet donuts were a hit with my family! They are incredibly moist and fluffy and the cream cheese icing adds a sweet element that forms the perfect combination.
If you are looking for a way around the food coloring, there are ways to naturally color them. I found a natural green food coloring recipe on Leite’s Culinaria that calls for spinach and water. It seems easy enough. I have not tried it yet, so I can’t say whether or not the color will work or if it changes the flavor or consistency of the cake, but it is a great option if you don’t like using the store bought food coloring.
The steps in the photos above, show exactly how I make my baked green velvet donuts.
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until combined.
Step 2: Dry mixture completely combined.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine buttermilk, egg, vanilla, and melted butter and whisk until combined.
Step 4: Wet mixture completely combined.
Step 5: Fold the wet mixture into the dry.
Step 6: Batter is combined.
Step 7: Add food coloring to the batter.
Step 8: Batter is combined and green.
Step 9: Either pipe or spoon your batter into your donut pan, filling each space approximately halfway.
Step 10: After cooling in the pan for five minutes, you’ll move the donuts to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Now that you know a little bit about these baked green velvet donuts, I’m excited to share our recipe.
Baked Green Velvet Donuts
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Baked Green Velvet Donuts
Description
A fun twist on the classic red velvet cake donut, these baked green velvet donuts are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day but can be enjoyed all year long.
Ingredients
Scale
Green Velvet Donuts
- 2 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- avocado oil spray (or something to grease your donut pan)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp iodized salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp green food coloring (liquid)
Cream Cheese Icing
- 3 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3–4 tbsp milk
Instructions
Green Velvet Donuts
- Melt butter and set aside so that it cools down a bit.
- Preheat oven to 350º and grease your donut pan.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until combined.
- In a medium bowl, combine buttermilk, egg, vanilla, and melted butter and whisk until combined.
- Fold the wet mixture into the dry until it’s combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add food coloring and stir until the batter is evenly green.
- Either pipe or spoon your batter into your donut pan, filling each space approximately halfway.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Press lightly on the donut with the back of a spoon. If it’s ready, it should spring back. If it doesn’t, put it back into the oven for a couple of extra minutes.
- Let the donuts sit for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a cooling rack until completely cool.
Cream Cheese Icing
- Using an electric mixer, on medium-high speed, combine cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth.
- Lower the mixter to low and gradually add in the powdered sugar.
- Add milk. You can adjust the amount depending on how thick you want your icing. The more milk, the runnier it will be. If it gets too runny, add in more powdered sugar.
- Once you are happy with the consistency of your icing, set it aside until your donuts are cool.
- Dip one side of the donut into the icing. If you are using a topping, like the fruity cereal, place the frosted side of the donut into a bowl full of decorations and then let rest on your cooling rack.
If you make these baked green velvet donuts, we’d love to hear your thoughts. If you post it on social media, we’d love for you to tag @thesupermomlife! Don’t forget to check out all of our family-friendly recipes and our other fun St. Patrick’s Day ideas!
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Although I am a bread baker, I have never made donuts because I always thought they were too difficult. But your recipe makes it look not too hard at all. I love the “green velvet”. Your donuts look perfect! And with the toppings, fun for the kids
These look fun! I know we’d all love them. We’re big on donuts here.
You are a genius. First, you took donuts, which are already awesome, then you added Fruity Pebbles to them. Booyah!
Your tutorial is so neat. I love that you shared pics of the raw ingredients, makes it look easier to follow.
Looks great. I love your idea, it’s so colorful, kids will love it.
OMGoodness, these donuts look so delicious and are so pretty! We are a family of sweet “tooths” so this is a must try. Thank you for laying out the steps out so visually.
These donuts look amazing. I love how you made them green that is very different and really fun to make these with the kids. I will be using this recipe.
I love EVERYTHING about these donuts, EVERYTHING. In fact, you’re making me wanna make donuts, SO BADLY!