If you have a sweet tooth and love all things fruity, you are in for a real treat with this Strawberry Donuts with Fresh Strawberry Glaze Recipe. These donuts are soft, moist, and bursting with vibrant strawberry flavor inside and out. The fresh strawberry glaze adds a luscious, natural fruitiness that elevates these from ordinary to absolutely irresistible. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an anytime snack, these donuts deliver a delightful balance of sweet and fresh that will quickly become a beloved favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to making these strawberry donuts truly shine. Each component plays a key role, from the cake mix that ensures a tender crumb, to fresh strawberries that bring authentic flavor and color to your glaze.
- 15.25 ounces Strawberry Cake Mix: The foundation of our donuts, providing that lovely strawberry base and perfect texture.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add richness to the batter.
- 2 tablespoons melted butter: Adds moisture and a subtle buttery note for softness.
- ¾ cup heavy cream: Keeps the batter rich and tender while contributing to the glaze’s creamy consistency.
- 2 cups powdered sugar: Essential for a sweet and smooth glaze that coats the donuts beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream (plus extra as needed): Used to adjust the glaze texture to perfection.
- 1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries: The star ingredient in the glaze that infuses vibrant color and fresh strawberry flavor.
How to Make Strawberry Donuts with Fresh Strawberry Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures a hot, even temperature so your donuts bake perfectly with a tender crumb and just the right lift.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a large bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, eggs, melted butter, and heavy cream by hand. Mix until the batter is smooth and evenly combined. Trust me, this simple batter creates donuts that are incredibly fluffy and bursting with strawberry goodness.
Step 3: Fill the Donut Pan
Grease your donut pan well and pour the batter in, filling each cavity only about halfway because these donuts rise quite a bit. Overfilling might cause overflow, so a careful eye really pays off here.
Step 4: Bake the Donuts
Bake your donuts for 8-10 minutes. To check doneness, insert a toothpick into a donut; if it comes out clean, they’re ready. You’ll notice a lovely golden-pink hue and a sponge-like softness that’s just perfect.
Step 5: Cool the Donuts
Allow the donuts to cool on a wire rack before glazing. This step is crucial so the glaze sticks beautifully without melting away or becoming too runny.
Step 6: Prepare the Fresh Strawberry Glaze
While your donuts cool, it’s time for the magical glaze. Using a hand mixer, beat powdered sugar, one tablespoon of heavy cream, and finely chopped fresh strawberries until well combined. Adjust the thickness by adding more cream if needed — the glaze should be thick enough to cling but still easy to dip.
Step 7: Glaze the Donuts
Dip each cooled donut face down into the fresh strawberry glaze, allowing excess to drip away. Set the donuts back on the wire rack and let the glaze firm up a bit. It might not harden completely because of the moisture in the strawberries, but it will become perfectly pleasantly tacky and flavorful.
How to Serve Strawberry Donuts with Fresh Strawberry Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your strawberry donuts by garnishing with a few halved fresh strawberries or a light sprinkle of powdered sugar. A small mint leaf adds a pop of green and an extra refreshing aroma that complements the strawberry glaze beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve these delicious donuts alongside a cup of hot coffee, tea, or even a creamy latte for a cozy morning treat. Fresh fruit salad or a bowl of vanilla yogurt with berries can balance the sweetness while keeping it light and fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
Present your donuts on a tiered tray for gatherings or dust the plate lightly with freeze-dried strawberry powder for a colorful flourish. You can even place them in pastel cupcake liners and tie with a ribbon for a charming gift idea that will wow friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Because of the fresh strawberry glaze, refrigeration might cause sogginess, so it is best to enjoy them fresh or within a couple of days.
Freezing
You can freeze the donuts without glaze by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag for up to one month. When ready, thaw at room temperature and then prepare the fresh strawberry glaze just before serving for maximum freshness.
Reheating
To warm, pop the donut in the microwave for about 10 seconds or until slightly soft but not hot. Avoid reheating glazed donuts with fresh strawberries to prevent the glaze from melting excessively.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for the glaze?
Fresh strawberries are best for the glaze as they provide the brightest flavor and color. Frozen strawberries release extra water, which can make the glaze too runny. If using frozen, thaw and drain well before chopping.
What if I don’t have a donut pan?
You can bake the batter in a muffin tin for small cakes or use silicone molds if available, but expect a different shape and slightly altered cooking times.
How do I make the glaze thicker?
Add more powdered sugar gradually to the glaze until you reach the desired consistency. You can also reduce the amount of cream or let the glaze sit a few minutes to thicken naturally.
Are these donuts gluten-free?
These donuts rely on pre-packaged strawberry cake mix, so check the package label for gluten-free status. Gluten-free alternatives can work but might alter texture. Always choose a certified gluten-free cake mix if needed.
Can I skip the glaze?
While you can enjoy the donuts plain, the fresh strawberry glaze is what makes this recipe truly special. The combination of sweet, fresh strawberry glaze with the tender donut is the hallmark of this recipe’s charm.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Strawberry Donuts with Fresh Strawberry Glaze Recipe enough if you want to wow your taste buds and impress your loved ones with a stunning treat. It’s simple to make, bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, and wonderfully moist with the perfect glaze finish. Whether for a weekend brunch or a special occasion, these donuts are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Give it a try—you’ll want to make them again and again!
Print
Strawberry Donuts with Fresh Strawberry Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 18 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious homemade strawberry donuts made with a moist strawberry cake mix and topped with a fresh strawberry glaze. Perfect for a sweet breakfast treat or dessert, these donuts combine the convenience of a cake mix with the fresh flavor of strawberries for a delightful, crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Donuts
- 15.25 ounces Strawberry Cake Mix (432 grams, 1 box)
- 2 large eggs (100 grams)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (28 grams, ¼ stick)
- ¾ cup heavy cream (170 grams)
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar (226 grams)
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream (14 grams, plus more if needed)
- 1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries (167 grams)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the donuts evenly.
- Mix Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, eggs, melted butter, and heavy cream. Stir by hand until the batter is well combined and smooth.
- Fill Donut Pan: Grease a donut pan thoroughly and pour the batter into the molds, being careful not to overfill as the donuts will rise during baking.
- Bake Donuts: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Cool Donuts: Remove the donuts from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely before glazing. Repeat the baking and cooling process if making multiple batches.
- Prepare Glaze: While the donuts cool, prepare the strawberry glaze by beating powdered sugar, heavy cream, and finely chopped fresh strawberries with a hand mixer until fully incorporated. Adjust the consistency by adding more or less cream as needed.
- Glaze Donuts: Dip the cooled donuts face down into the strawberry glaze to coat them. Place glazed donuts on a wire rack to allow the glaze to set. Note that the glaze may not harden completely due to the fresh strawberries but will firm up nicely.
Notes
- Do not overfill the donut molds, as the batter rises significantly during baking.
- Adjust glaze thickness by varying the amount of heavy cream.
- The fresh strawberry glaze may not harden completely but will still provide a beautiful finish and fruity flavor.
- Use a cooling rack to ensure donuts cool evenly and glaze sets properly.
