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Home » Recipes » Donuts

Red Velvet Donuts

By Rebecca Swanner | January 16, 2017 | Updated on February 11, 2022 | 20 Comments
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These baked red velvet donuts are light, fluffy, and super easy to make. They're they perfect Valentine's Day donuts! #redvelvet #donuts #bakeddonuts #baking #valentinesday #donut

Like red velvet? Then you’re going to love these red velvet donuts… arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Red Velvet Donuts - Valentine Donuts

I love red velvet. And I love Valentine’s Day.

The cheery red and white and pink decorations and the whimsical heart-shaped everything and the adorable drawings of twitterpated creatures.  Usually that night, I prefer picking up a themed craft beer or bottle of wine and watching a cute comedy or a horror film to going out to dinner. Or I’ll make a five-course dinner. Or throw a fondue party. And, if gifts are exchanged, they’re certainly of the silly variety. I think one year I gave my other half a painting of two zombies in love.

So, in that spirit, I’m making a few different Valentine’s treats! First up, red velvet donuts plus two more other types of Valentine’s donuts! I made some Valentine’s donuts last year when I made these Baked S’mores donuts (I’m all about baked donuts because while fried donuts are deeeeelicious, they are awfully messy. And, even in making these, I managed to get donut batter on the cat.). This year, I made more and am giving them their very own post. I added a few more varieties to the mix, including red velvet donuts. Because what donut is more Valentine’s Day than red velvet?

Red Velvet Donuts - Valentine Donuts

Red Velvet Donuts - Valentine Donuts

Baked Donut Recipes

This year, I made three different baked cake donut recipes: Vanilla, red velvet, and chocolate. All three baked donut recipes are without yeast which means they come together super quickly. In fact, you might spend more time thinking about what designs to make than actually making them!

To make the donuts, you’ll need at least one baked donut pan (though more will save on washing and waiting time) and oodles of sprinkles and things to decorate the donuts with! (And of course the ingredients.) I found these really fun sprinkles by Wilton at Target this year – you may have seen them in my Instagram story – and had to get them. First off, they’re in heart-shaped packaging, so yeah… and then one of them are multicolored candy hearts and the other are cupid arrows and hearts. I also had mini red, white, and pink hearts, red hearts, food coloring for the red velvet donuts and the glazes, and plenty of Valentine-colored jimmies on hand.

Also, before you start, decide what flavor you want the glaze to be. I’ve collected enough flavorings and infused sugars and things to make my pantry feel a little bit like Willy Wonka’s laboratory, so on a whim, I decided to make the glaze for the vanilla donuts cotton candy-flavored, but just saying it might be something you want to ponder while you’re at the store. And, if you don’t decide to flavor them, that’s ok too! The donut glaze is pretty darn tasty on its own.

Red Velvet Donuts - Valentine Donuts

Donut or Doughnut?

Before we get into the recipes, can we take a moment and talk about donut vs doughnut? When I was a kid, it was always doughnut, except for Dunkin’. And, then, suddenly, it seemed to switch. The former is certainly easier to spell. But, why the change? What happened? Which one is correct?

The original spelling dough-nut originated in print around 1809 in Washington Irving’s historical text A History of New York, from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty. These “balls of sweetened dough, fried in hog’s fat, and called dough-nuts, or olykoeks,” They didn’t have holes, likely because they were made in the Dutch tradition of oliebollen. These round balls are made from flour, eggs, leavening, and milk. It’s said that the Dutch ate the oliebollens between during Yule to protect themselves from the sword of Perchta, the Christmas witch.

The shortened, phoentically-influenced donut didn’t appear until the late 1800s as a contraction of the original doughnut and was first printed in Peck’s Bad Boy and his Pa, where one of the characters describes his morning, saying, “Pa said he guessed he hadn’t got much appetite, and he would just drink a cup of coffee and eat a donut.” but took off after the arrival of Dunkin’ Donuts in 1950 and Mister Donut in 1956, like hot apple cider donuts anywhere near my vicinity come September.

Which spelling do you prefer?

Baked Donuts

Red Velvet Donuts

4.82 from 11 votes
Print Recipe
Baked red velvet donuts that are just as light and fluffy as red velvet cupcakes. Easy to make and ready in less than 30 minutes.
Red Velvet Donuts - Valentine Donuts
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Servings: 12 donuts

Ingredients

  • nonstick spray
  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ cup red cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2-3 drops red food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat to 325, spray donut pan with nonstick spray and wipe off excess.
  • Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in small bowl.
  • Beat butter and sugar on medium high until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
  • Add eggs, mixing for 30 seconds in between each addition.
  • Add vanilla. Turn off mixer and scrape down sides. Mix on high for 15-20 seconds.
  • Turn mixer to low. Add 1/3 of flour mixture. Add 1/2 buttermilk. Repeat, ending with flour. Add red food coloring if desired.
  • Transfer donut batter to pastry bag fitted with a round piping tip. Pipe batter into pan, leaving a 1/4” of room.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until they spring back when gently touched. Let rest for 5-7 min, remove from pan.
Nutrition Facts
Red Velvet Donuts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 200
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: red velvet donuts
Author: Rebecca Swanner
Did you make this recipe?Leave a review below, then take a photo and tag @letseatcakeblog on Instagram so we can see it!

Red Velvet Donuts Red Velvet Donuts - Valentine Donuts Red Velvet Donuts - Valentine Donuts

How to Make Donut Glaze

Inspired by As Easy As Apple Pie’s vanilla glaze.

Ingredients:
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
2-4 tbsp. milk, divided
extract flavoring of your choice (optional)
food coloring (optional)

Preparation:
1. Mix powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, flavoring (1/4 tsp.), and 2 tbsp. milk in medium bowl. Add milk, 1 tbsp. at time until glaze is the consistency you desire. Want pink, red, and white? Separate glaze into three bowls and add food coloring to create the pink and red glazes.
2. Place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet.
3. Dip one cooled donut into the glaze then remove and place on rack. Decorate!

Note: It’s best to add the sprinkles and decorations when the glaze is still sticky. However, if you want to add frosting lines on top, wait until the glaze has fully dried. If the glaze becomes too thick when dipping the donuts, warm it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds.

Red Velvet Donuts - Valentine Donuts

How to Make Baked Chocolate Donuts

This recipe was inspired by Joy the Baker’s baked donut recipe, which I used for the Baked S’mores donuts. I adapted it slightly here.
Makes: Approximately 1 dozen donuts

Ingredients:
Nonstick spray (I use olive oil spray)
2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder (regular for chocolate, rouge for red velvet)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup buttermilk

Preparation:
1. Preheat to 325, spray donut pan with nonstick spray and wipe off excess.
2. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in small bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar on medium high until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
4. Add eggs, mixing for 30 seconds in between each addition.
5. Add vanilla. Turn off mixer and scrape down sides. Mix on high for 15-20 seconds.
6. Turn mixer to low. Add 1/3 of flour mixture. Add 1/2 buttermilk. Repeat, ending with flour.
7. Transfer donut batter to pastry bag fitted with a round piping tip. Pipe batter into pan, leaving a 1/4” of room.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until they spring back when gently touched. Let rest for 5-7 min, remove from pan.

Red Velvet Donuts - Valentine Donuts Valentine Donuts

How to Make Baked Vanilla Donuts

Makes: Approximately 1 dozen donuts
Ingredients:
Nonstick spray (I use olive oil spray)
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup milk

Preparation:
1. Preheat to 325, spray donut pan with nonstick spray and wipe off excess.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in small bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar on medium high until fully combined.
4. Add eggs, mixing for 30 seconds in between each addition.
5. Add vanilla. Turn off mixer and scrape down sides. Mix on high for 15-20 seconds.
6. Turn mixer to low. Add 1/3 of flour mixture. Add 1/2 milk. Repeat, ending with flour.
7. Transfer donut batter to pastry bag fitted with a round piping tip. Pipe batter into pan, leaving a 1/4” of room.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until they spring back when gently touched. Let rest for 5-7 min, remove from pan.

Red Velvet Donuts - Valentine Donuts

Red Velvet Donuts - Valentine Donuts

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Rebecca Swanner
Rebecca Swanner
Pleased to meet you. I'm the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Let's Eat Cake: The world's first smart, funny lifestyle site for women.

My background is in publishing (I've worked at Parade, Men's Journal, Us Weekly, Stuff, Blender, Beachbody, and more), mostly with a focus in health, fitness, and entertainment. I've also run my own baking company and competed on Cupcake Wars, so hit me up with your baking questions!

For more details, check out my full bio or follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Rebecca Swanner
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon and other sites that we collect a share of sales from.
32.1K shares

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarGabriella says

    January 17, 2017 at 3:41 am

    Uhm, WHOA. Can I just say these sound and look downright delicious?

    Reply
    • Rebecca | Let's Eat CakeRebecca | Let's Eat Cake says

      January 18, 2017 at 7:31 am

      Thank you so much! I love your cardamom oats and I really needed those tips on how to add some greens to my space. I have a bit of a black thumb, but I could probably manage succulents!

      Reply
  2. AvatarKarly says

    January 17, 2017 at 9:45 am

    There truly is nothing better than a fresh donut. Unless it’s a fresh RED VELVET donut, which explains why I’m sitting in front of my screen right now droolin’ like a fool. Cannot get over how good these look!

    Reply
  3. Rebecca | Let's Eat CakeRebecca | Let's Eat Cake says

    January 18, 2017 at 7:33 am

    Thank you!!! Let me know how you like them 🙂 P.S. Cedar Point is one of my favorite places!

    Reply
  4. AvatarAllyson D says

    January 23, 2017 at 12:30 am

    Hi!
    How much sugar is needed in the Red Velvet donut batch? I couldn’t find it listed in the ingredients on that recipe. I’m assuming it’s the same as the other two, but to be on the sage side, I thought I should ask.

    Reply
    • AvatarAllyson D says

      January 23, 2017 at 12:32 am

      I meant SAFE, silly autocorrect. Not sage.

      Reply
    • Rebecca | Let's Eat CakeRebecca | Let's Eat Cake says

      January 24, 2017 at 8:39 am

      Sorry about that! It’s 2 cups 🙂

      Reply
  5. AvatarNatalie says

    January 23, 2018 at 8:27 am

    What a delicious and beautiful idea for Valentine’s day! I love making donuts and these look absolutely yummy!

    Reply
    • Rebecca | Let's Eat CakeRebecca | Let's Eat Cake says

      January 23, 2018 at 12:22 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  6. AvatarTina Dawson | Love is in my tummy says

    January 23, 2018 at 8:47 am

    Woah!!! Skip the roses and chocolates and hand me a dozen of these instead!!!

    Reply
    • Rebecca | Let's Eat CakeRebecca | Let's Eat Cake says

      January 23, 2018 at 12:22 pm

      Ha! I’m right there with you on that!

      Reply
  7. AvatarRebecca Hubbell says

    January 23, 2018 at 9:07 am

    So many great ways to make donuts and such fun ways to decorate them!

    Reply
    • Rebecca | Let's Eat CakeRebecca | Let's Eat Cake says

      January 23, 2018 at 12:21 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  8. AvatarPam says

    January 23, 2018 at 9:10 am

    I know this is nuts, but I had no idea there was such a thing as a doughnut pan. These look delicious and are definitely beautiful. Great photos!

    Reply
    • Rebecca | Let's Eat CakeRebecca | Let's Eat Cake says

      January 23, 2018 at 12:20 pm

      I am so glad that I got to introduce you to one! They’re great. They make creating perfect donut shapes so easy!

      Reply
  9. AvatarJeni @ Biscuits & Booze says

    January 23, 2018 at 9:53 am

    I LOVE red velvet cake and turning that into a doughnut (or donut 😉 is genius. And these are so pretty. I was never a huge fan of sprinkles as a kid, but they won me over as an adult, ironically!

    Reply
    • Rebecca | Let's Eat CakeRebecca | Let's Eat Cake says

      January 23, 2018 at 12:21 pm

      Thank you! Let me know how you like them! I bet they would be yummy with cream cheese frosting too!

      Reply
  10. AvatarLuciana says

    November 25, 2020 at 4:53 pm

    My mouth is watering just from thinking about these.

    Reply
  11. AvatarCamila Monteiro says

    May 13, 2021 at 8:25 pm

    These donuts looks amazing and so delicious!! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Rebecca SwannerRebecca Swanner says

      May 14, 2021 at 9:32 am

      Thank you! Hope you enjoy them! 🙂

      Reply

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