Let’s just agree that mini donuts with pink frosting are dang cute. I mean, I have been holding out on buying a mini donut pan because I figured…why? Why, when I already have a normal sized donut pan AND a heart shaped donut pan…does a girl really need one for minis, too? Turns out, yep. This girl sure does…especially when said pan was on sale.
I’m glad I caved…because, um…MINI DONUTS! They totally happened. These ones are vanilla scented, buttermilk tangy, double-strawberry-trouble and they are good. Like, real good.
We’re mixing crushed, freeze dried strawberries into the batter. You could use chopped, fresh berries, but honestly…I have a pretty strong aversion to soggy, strawberry-studded cake situations. Strawberries are just so juicy, you know? I feel like they make the cake surrounding them soggy and gummy and sad…that may just be me, but that’s why we’re using strawberry dust. I know I could have roasted some fresh berries, but…I guess I didn’t really…feel like it? Honesty, it’s happening. Plus, those freeze dried strawberries are unsweetened and tart, yet super concentrated with strawberry flavor — basically making them perfect to add to baked goods. The cake part of these donuts has little freckles of dried strawberry throughout that make for tangy little bursts of berry in each bite. The glaze and topping combines buttermilk (which is also in the batter), a bit of jam, and confectioner’s sugar plus a scatter of more dried strawberries. While it’s my nature to try to eat these the second they leave the oven, the flavors actually intensify as they cool…after dinner they were perfect and just in time for dessert! These mini donuts are so thoughtful that way.
[recipe]
Strawberry Buttermilk Mini Donuts
Adapted from Saveur
Makes about 48 mini donuts
Freeze dried strawberries have a dry texture and concentrated flavor. You can easily crush them with your hands, or in a bag with a mallet. You can find the freeze dried berries at many stores, I always seem to easily find them at Target and Trader Joe’s.
1/2 cup freeze dried strawberries, crushed, plus more for topping
1 1/4 cup cake flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup flavorless oil (like canola or grape seed)
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
glaze:
1 tablespoon buttermilk
1 tablespoon strawberry jam
1/2 to 3/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Lightly spray a mini donut pan with cooking spray.
In a mixing bow combine the crushed, freeze dried strawberries, flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. In a large measuring cup or another bowl, whisk together the oil, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla, to combine. Pour the oil/buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture and fold to combine completely.
Using a spoon or a piping bag, fill each mini donut cup about 1/2 way with batter. Bake in the center of the oven for about 9 minutes. Allow to cool a few minutes before turning out to cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter.
In a small bowl whisk together the milk, jam, and the 1/2 cup of confectioner’s sugar. Add more sugar to get desired consistency. Glaze cooled donuts and sprinkle with additional crushed, freeze dried strawberries. [/recipe]
I’m LOVING everything about this post. Those freeze-dried sprinks are lookin’ good! I want to crumble those on my life.
thanks, girl! strawberry sprinks all day, erryday!
ERMAGERD THE CUTENESS. I love the double strawberry topping, too!
haha, yes! thanks, Stephanie!
Yes, I agree! Mini donuts are so cute. I actually have some coming up on Thursday only mine are fries cause I don’t have a donut pan.
Thinking I really NEED one now that I saw these though. They look so good!
I rarely make fried doughnuts because I love them TOO MUCH. thanks, Tieghan!
These are so dang cute! But that wouldn’t stop me from eating them… ALL!
thanks, Ashley!
I just want to eat that whole stack of doughnuts in that last picture. So cute.
I was so tempted to do EXACTLY that, haha!
Love these! They’ve got to be some of the most beautiful {and yummy} looking doughnuts I’ve seen!
thank you, Sophie!!
Way too cute to eat!! And I love buttermilk in this recipe. Keeps it all super moist!
definitely! thanks, Kiran!
Girl you read my mind! I was just looking yesterday for a baked buttermilk donut recipe. Get out of my head! Way to know how to do it with that donut flag! I think this settles my need for buying a donut pan.
you totes need one, fo sho! we’re just brain twins.
They look lovey and really cute. Perfect flavour for summer.
thank you, laura!
So cute and summery! Time to bring out my mini donut pan 🙂
heck yes! thanks, Rachel!
These sound so freaking good!! LOVE these – they’re so fun!
thanks, Katrina!
OOOOOOH Baby. I used to LOVE the pink donuts when I was a kid. But now, those donut shop pink ones seem a little too processed. This, on the other hand, allows me to indulge my love for pink donuts without being concerned my teeth will fall out! Perfect!
yes! I mean, they are still pretty sugary, but not so much as those packaged ones 🙂
They are just so beautiful and adorable and I really would love a huge stack to just appear. With mini food, you obviously have permission to eat way more b/c it’s just so cute..and mini 🙂
truth!!
I try to not to buy too much specialty cooking stuff since my kitchen is the size of a postage stamp, but they were ON SALE. And those donuts are just too cute. Now I need some mini donut pans.
I hear ya! I only bought 1 mini pan, and it’s small…so, worth it?!
These are beyond gorgeous!!! I love the little flag, since they are mini, I can’t eat double the amount right?
definitely! thanks, Julie!!
These are the cutest doughnuts! Freeze dried strawberries sound like such an interesting addition.
thanks Laura! the freeze dried berries are fun to work with.
those pictures made me craving. <3