Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful blueberry cake donuts, perfectly fried to a golden brown and coated with a smooth, sweet vanilla glaze. This ultimate guide walks you through every step for baking perfection, from mixing the batter infused with fresh blueberries to achieving a crispy, tender donut that’s best enjoyed fresh.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh blueberries, gently rinsed and dried
For Frying
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk (or more, as needed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: A few drops of blue food coloring
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening and spices.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk granulated sugar, melted butter, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the donuts.
- Fold in blueberries: Gently fold fresh blueberries into the batter to distribute evenly without crushing them.
- Chill the dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes up to 2 hours to firm the dough for easier handling.
- Prepare surface: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly flour a clean work surface to prevent sticking during shaping.
- Roll out dough: Turn the chilled dough onto the floured surface, patting it into a 1/2-inch thick circle for even frying thickness.
- Cut donuts: Use a donut cutter or two round cookie cutters of different sizes to cut out donuts. Place donuts and holes on the prepared baking sheet.
- Re-roll scraps: Gather scraps, knead lightly, and re-roll to cut out additional donuts to minimize waste.
- Heat oil: Pour about 3 inches of vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven and heat to 350°F (175°C) for optimal frying temperature.
- Fry donuts: Carefully place a few donuts at a time into hot oil. Fry each side 2-3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain donuts: Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove donuts. Place on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil efficiently.
- Fry holes: Fry donut holes for 1-2 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown. Drain similarly on a wire rack with paper towels.
- Prepare glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk as needed for desired thickness.
- Color glaze: Optionally add blue food coloring to the glaze and mix evenly for an attractive tint.
- Dip donuts: While donuts are slightly warm, dip each in the glaze coating completely to create a sweet, glossy finish.
- Set glaze: Place glazed donuts back on the rack and let the glaze set for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow it to firm up.
- Glaze holes: Dip donut holes individually or toss them in glaze ensuring even coating and glaze coverage.
- Serve and store: Serve fresh for best taste. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use fresh blueberries for best texture and flavor; frozen berries may release too much moisture.
- Make sure oil temperature stays steady at 350°F to avoid greasy or undercooked donuts.
- Do not overmix batter to keep donuts light and tender.
- Chilling the dough helps to handle and roll it out more easily.
- Glaze consistency can be adjusted by adding milk gradually.
- Donuts are best enjoyed the day they are made but can be stored briefly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: blueberry cake donuts, fried donuts, homemade donuts, blueberry glaze donuts, sweet breakfast donuts
