Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts Recipe
If you’ve ever dreamed of warm, fluffy doughnuts bursting with fresh berry flavor, you’re in for a treat with these Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts. This recipe gives you all the nostalgia of a classic doughnut shop, but with a homemade twist: tender baked dough, tangy buttermilk, and a gorgeous strawberry glaze that drips down the sides. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, treating the kids, or just craving something sweet with your morning coffee, Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts are about to become your new favorite bake.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts is in their simplicity—each ingredient plays a role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and rosy color. Let’s break down what you’ll need, along with a few insider tips for best results!
- All-purpose flour: The base of your doughnuts, it provides structure while keeping the crumb soft and light.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the doughnuts brown beautifully in the oven.
- Baking powder: Gives the doughnuts their lovely rise, resulting in a fluffy bite every time.
- Baking soda: Works with buttermilk to create extra lift and tenderness.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances out the sweetness and brings all the flavors together.
- Ground nutmeg: A classic doughnut spice, it adds a warm, aromatic note you’ll notice in every bite.
- Buttermilk: Adds tang and moisture, ensuring the doughnuts are melt-in-your-mouth soft.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add richness to the batter.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Adds flavor and keeps the crumb delightfully tender.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and adds a comforting aroma.
- Fresh strawberries, finely chopped: The star of the show—these juicy bits burst with flavor and color in every doughnut.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): The key to a smooth, sweet glaze that sets beautifully.
- Pureed strawberries (for glaze): Infuses the glaze with real berry flavor and a pretty pink hue.
- Vanilla extract (for glaze): A subtle background note that ties the whole glaze together.
How to Make Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. While it heats up, lightly grease your doughnut pan—this ensures the doughnuts pop out easily once they’re baked, with those signature bakery-style edges intact.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. This blend sets the stage for doughnuts that are perfectly spiced and rise just the right amount.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. This creamy blend is what gives Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts their trademark tenderness and subtle tang.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir gently—over-mixing can make doughnuts tough, so just combine until you no longer see streaks of flour. Then, fold in the finely chopped strawberries, distributing those juicy pockets of flavor throughout the batter.
Step 5: Fill the Pan and Bake
Spoon the batter into your prepared doughnut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the tops spring back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool and Glaze
Let the doughnuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes—this helps them set and makes removing them a breeze. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing, so the glaze doesn’t melt right off.
Step 7: Make and Apply the Strawberry Glaze
For the prettiest finish, whisk together the powdered sugar, pureed strawberries, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy. Dip each cooled doughnut into the glaze, letting the excess drip off. Set them back on the rack so the glaze can set (if you can wait that long!).
How to Serve Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts
Garnishes
For an extra pop of color and flavor, sprinkle the glazed doughnuts with a few more chopped fresh strawberries, or add a light dusting of powdered sugar. If you’re feeling whimsical, a few edible flower petals or colorful sprinkles can make them party-ready.
Side Dishes
Pair your Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts with a creamy vanilla latte, a pitcher of fresh strawberry milk, or a tangy fruit salad for a brunch spread that’s as vibrant as it is delicious. They also shine alongside a scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream for dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the doughnuts high on a cake stand for a show-stopping centerpiece, or thread them onto wooden skewers for a playful doughnut bouquet. You can even cut them in half and fill with whipped cream and extra berries for a “doughnut shortcake” twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers, store your Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The glaze will keep them moist, but to avoid stickiness, layer parchment paper between each doughnut.
Freezing
These doughnuts freeze surprisingly well! Simply freeze the unglazed doughnuts in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature and glaze fresh for best results.
Reheating
To bring day-old doughnuts back to life, pop them in the microwave for about 8–10 seconds. If you’ve frozen them, let them thaw first, then warm gently. Avoid reheating glazed doughnuts in the oven, as the glaze can melt and get messy.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries in Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts—just be sure to thaw and pat them dry thoroughly before chopping. Excess moisture can make the batter too wet.
Do I need a doughnut pan for this recipe?
A doughnut pan gives you the classic shape, but if you don’t have one, you can use a muffin tin. The bake time may be a minute or two longer, but you’ll still get delicious results.
What’s the best way to puree strawberries for the glaze?
Simply blend or mash fresh strawberries until smooth. For an extra-smooth glaze, strain out the seeds with a fine mesh sieve before whisking into the powdered sugar.
Can I make these doughnuts gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Just be sure the mix contains xanthan gum for structure.
How can I boost the strawberry flavor even more?
For an extra punch of berry goodness, add a few drops of natural strawberry extract to the glaze or fold in a handful of freeze-dried strawberry pieces before baking.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a doughnut devotee or a berry lover, these Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts are sure to enchant your taste buds and brighten your table. I hope you’ll give them a try and share the joy (and maybe a few doughnuts) with your favorite people!
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Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 doughnuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these moist and fluffy Strawberry Buttermilk Doughnuts, baked to perfection and topped with a luscious strawberry glaze. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat, these doughnuts combine the tangy richness of buttermilk with the fresh burst of chopped strawberries, finished with a smooth strawberry-infused glaze.
Ingredients
Doughnuts
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons pureed strawberries
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a doughnut pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg until thoroughly combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, eggs, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Form Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the doughnuts.
- Add Strawberries: Carefully fold in the finely chopped fresh strawberries, ensuring even distribution without breaking them down.
- Fill Doughnut Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared doughnut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the doughnuts spring back when lightly pressed.
- Cool: Allow the doughnuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, pureed strawberries, and vanilla extract until smooth and slightly runny.
- Glaze the Doughnuts: Dip the cooled doughnuts into the glaze, letting the excess drip off, then place back on the wire rack to set before serving.
Notes
- For an extra boost of strawberry flavor, add a few drops of natural strawberry extract to the glaze.
- Store glazed doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 doughnut
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
