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We try to bake at least one sweet treat for every holiday and since we love donuts, and we love red velvet, it seemed appropriate that this year we share our favorite baked red velvet donuts recipe for Valentine’s Day this year.
It also finally gave me a reason to use my mini fluted cake pan! I guess technically, this would make these mini cakes, but they are small and round with a hole in the center so I won’t tell if you don’t tell!
Obviously, in order to make this recipe, you’ll need a donut pan (or in my case, a mini fluted cake pan) of some sort. I also found this donut pan set on Amazon that seems to have excellent reviews if you need one quickly.
No matter which one you choose, make sure to read the directions so you know how much you should fill each section before baking. They may differ. Most will require you to grease them well so that your donuts come out easily.
I use this avocado oil spray which works beautifully and is a healthier alternative to vegetable oil and butter!
What I love most about these baked red velvet donuts is that they are baked and not fried. You won’t miss the oil, I promise!
These donuts come out so moist and delicious and the cream cheese icing provides the exact about of sweetness to balance out the flavors. If you aren’t a fan of cream cheese icing, you’ll be pleased to know that you can’t even taste the cream cheese in this one! Even my youngest daughter thought it was vanilla.
To add the icing, you can use a piping bag or a similar tool. If the icing is a little too runny for your liking, you can always stick our cooling rack and donuts in the freezer for a few minutes and it will help it solidify.
If you make these baked red 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!
Baked Red Velvet Donuts
Baked Red Velvet Donuts with Cream Cheese Icing
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 donuts 1x
Description
Similar consistency to a small cake, these red velvet donuts are baked, not fried. Drizzled cream cheese icing provides exactly the right amount of sweetness. These are perfect for Valentine's Day.
Ingredients
Red Velvet Donuts
- butter or oil (for greasing pan)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2½ tbsp butter (melted)
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp red 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
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 drops red food coloring (liquid) (optional)
- decorating sugar or sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
Red Velvet Donuts
- Melt butter (do this first so that you have time for it to cool down).
- Preheat oven to 350° and grease donut baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Whisk until combined.
- In a smaller bowl, combine melted butter, buttermilk, egg and vanilla and whisk until combined.
- Fold the wet mixture into the dry, making sure not to over mix.
- Add food coloring and stir until evenly distributed.
- Spoon your batter into each donut pan evenly, filling each one approximately 1/2 way.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes. This will depend on your pan. Mine takes 15 minutes. I recommend checking it at 10 minutes. Press lightly on the donut with the back of a spoon. If it's ready, it should spring back. If not, put it back into the oven for a little bit longer.
- Let the baked donuts sit for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a cooling rack to complete the cooling process.
Cream Cheese Icing
- Using an electric mixer, on medium-high speed, combine cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth.
- Lower the mixer to low and gradually add in the powdered sugar.
- Once combined, add the milk. You can adjust the amount of milk depending on how thick you want your icing. The more milk, the runnier it will be.
- If you'd like the icing to be pink, add in your food coloring and mix on medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes.
- Once you're happy with the consistency of your icing, add it to your piping bag or decorating tool and drizzle over your donuts. You can also finish them off with sprinkles or decorating sugar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
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Krystel | Frugal Living
February 17, 2020These look so amazing!! I am on a diet but would love to try this
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen
February 17, 2020Oh my gosh! This looks so delicious! I love Red Velvet!
Christa
February 16, 2020Not only are these gorgeous, but they look delicious, too! I’ve never made donuts at home before. Baking them is such a great suggestion!
Patricia - Grab a Plate
February 15, 2020These look like the ultimate treat for a sweetie! I love these – so adorable!
Nicole
February 15, 2020Ohh this looks so yummy! So cute too!
Megan
February 15, 2020oh yum! red velvet is one of my favourite flavours. what a good idea to turn them into donuts!!
Stella Harper
February 12, 2020These donuts looks so lovely! Sounds great to try for Valentines. I love it’s unique shape so much!!
Elisha
February 12, 2020This is a super creative recipe! I should make my own version!
Ruth I
February 12, 2020Oh we love red velvet! Never tasted is as donut though but I am sure this tastes so good!
Randi
February 12, 2020These baked red velvet donuts look so yummy! I am going to try to make them for my kids this week!
★★★★★
Lecy | A Simpler Grace
February 11, 2020These are so pretty. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Shayla Marie
February 11, 2020These are so pretty! We are not able to have red food coloring due to sensitivities, but I’m going to try these anyways without it!
Lyanna Soria
February 11, 2020I don’t think I’ve tried red velvet donuts yet. They look quite delicious and a great idea to make for Valentine’s Day.
★★★★★
Sara | mshealthesteem.com
February 11, 2020Looks like a gorgeous dessert! Thank you for sharing your recipe 🙂
Catherine
February 11, 2020These look absolutely delicious – I love red velvet!
Angela Campos
February 11, 2020These sound so amazing! They are beautiful too…can’t wait to make them…YUM!!!
Erin
February 11, 2020These donuts look so yummy! I’d love to make these for Valentine’s Day!
Monica Y
February 11, 2020Red velvet is my favorite flavor of cake, so I need to make this recipe ASAP, omg now I am so hungry
Clair
February 11, 2020Omg! So excited about these donuts! I am going to surprise my kids with these Valentine’s Day morning ❤️
Heather
February 11, 2020That’s so exciting! I hope they love them!
Ashley R
February 11, 2020I want to make these with my daughter. Is the only thing different between red velvet and chocolate is the food coloring? Ive always wondered.
★★★★★
Heather
February 11, 2020Yep! It’s basically chocolate with red food coloring 🙂
Nadalie Bardo
February 11, 2020OMG I don’t think I’ve ever seen red velvet donuts. These look so rich and yummy!
★★★★★
Wren
February 11, 2020These look delicious! I love red velvet and donuts are my weakness!
Katrina kroeplin
February 11, 2020Oh that looks really good! I’m going to have to try this out.
Lisa Joy Thompson
February 11, 2020I am obsessed with donuts! And I love red velvet cake, so this donut recipe looks to-die-for. I can’t wait to try this!!!
Nicole Bertrand
February 11, 2020These look AMAZING and so festive! My girls would love to help me bake these! Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Melanie williams
February 11, 2020Oh wow how fab are these. Look perfect for a party table or to bake for family and friends xx
Sarah
February 11, 2020These red velvet donuts with cream cheese icing look absolutely delicious. And right in time for Valentine’s Day! I know what I’m serving!
Marina
February 11, 2020What a lovely recipe for Valentine’s day. Love the colour and the idea x
Sherry
February 11, 2020This are my kind of donuts. They look like mini bundt cakes. I could definitely eat these for breakfast.
Kita Bryant
February 11, 2020These look so delicious! They are just in time for Valentine’s Day too!
Kathy
February 10, 2020These look amazing. They’d be great for a Valentine’s treat too. I may just need to make some of these.
Amy Desrosiers
February 10, 2020These are so pretty and vibrant! I love bold, red colors around this time of year. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Anzise
February 10, 2020Yum! These red velvet donuts look so pretty and delicious 😍 These are absolutely perfect for V-Day or say anniversary day ☺👌 Will try it for sure!
Janel
February 10, 2020These are too perfect for a V-day treat for my kiddos!! Thank you, they look amazing!
Myrah Duque
February 10, 2020Everything about this recipe is perfect. I could eat anything “red velvet.” These Baked Red Velvet Donuts look amazing and with Cream Cheese Icing…..EXCELLENT. I know my entire family will love them! Thanks for the easy recipe.
Lisa
February 10, 2020I’ve tried red velvet cake many times before, but never donuts! This baked version is healthier too.
Brianne
February 10, 2020Those look like Heaven on a plate! I want to try one (or five). I can’t wait to make these!
★★★★★
Tara Pittman
February 10, 2020These would be perfect for Valentines day. I love the red color that they have
Amber Myers
February 10, 2020I love red velvet desserts! These look spectacular. I know my entire family will love them! Plus they’re pretty 🙂
★★★★★
Jessica Collazo
February 10, 2020These Donuts looks delicious. Love the cream cheese icing
Matt Taylor
February 10, 2020Yummy! These look so amazing! I can’t wait to make them.
★★★★★
Heather
February 10, 2020I made your chocolate chip cookies this weekend. SO good!
kathleen
February 10, 2020wow these donuts look so yummy! thank you for sharing, i need to try to make them 🙂