HOMEMADE BAKED Sugar Donuts recipe that is easy to make and ready in 15 minutes. These simple and extra soft donuts taste just like raised sugar donuts from your favorite bakery!
Homemade Sugar Donuts Recipe
I love classic donuts. I’m not interested in the Blood Orange, Cafe Au Lait, Hibiscus, Passion Fruit, Horchata, Matcha and more from the donut shop. Give me a sugar donut. Give me a glazed donut. Give me a chocolate frosting donut with sprinkles.
These homemade baked sugar donuts are incredibly soft, fluffy, and absolutely irresistible. Thanks to the buttermilk in the batter, they bake up moist and tender with a light, airy texture—more like a classic raised donut than a heavy cake donut. If you love old-fashioned sugar donuts or warm bakery-style treats, these baked beauties are going to be your new favorite.
The best part? This recipe is simple and uses ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. The only special tool you’ll need is a donut pan (or 2)—and trust me, it’s a $10 investment that pays for itself the moment you pull your first batch of fresh, homemade baked donuts out of the oven.
Buttermilk Substitute With Vinegar
Not everyone keeps buttermilk around the house, but it is easy to substitute if you cannot make a run to the store. I know how it is when you want your donuts NOW! So instead, you can use 1 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to measure 1/2 cup. Stir it and let stand for 5 minutes. Then you’re good to go!
Buttermilk Substitute With Yogurt
Another option is using 1/2 cup of plain yogurt instead of the buttermilk. It’s much more common to have regular milk or yogurt in your house than buttermilk, unless you are someone who bakes all the time.
Storing Sugar Donuts
Let the donuts cool completely before storing. Place them in an airtight container or zip-top bag, separating layers with parchment paper so the sugar coating doesn’t rub off. Store at room temperature for 2–3 days. For longer storage, freeze the donuts (uncoated or coated) in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm for a few seconds in the microwave if you like them soft and warm.
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Homemade Baked Sugar Donuts
PrintIngredients
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
For the sugar coating
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray donut pan with nonstick spray.
- Mix together oil, buttermilk, eggs, sugar, salt, baking powder and vanilla until combined.
- Stir in flour and continue to mix until smooth.
- Fill the donut pans up about 3/4 of the way.
- Bake donuts for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes, then remove donuts from pan.
- Put sugar in a sandwich bag.
- One at a time, drop your donuts in bag and shake lightly to cover.
- Eat right away or store in container.
CS says
changed my life
Pamela says
Hah! Thanks for the smile CS. Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Arty says
My oven is broken. I couldn’t make muffins this morning for my children’s lunch. Instead I made these in my donut maker. They turned out wonderful. My children were thrilled. Next time I’ll cut back the sugar a little, just a personal preference. I would definitely recommend cutting back the sugar if they are to be iced. I think this will become a tried and true recipe in my kitchen.
Pamela says
Hey Arty, thank you so much for commenting and letting me know they turned out well in your donut maker. Keep on enjoying them! 🙂 Take care.
TIa says
Hi, would I be able to use regular whole milk instead of buttermilk? Thanks 🍩❤️
Pamela says
Hey Tla, I would recommend buttermilk to get them extra fluffy. If the issue is not having buttermilk, add 1 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to the milk to make your homemade buttermilk. It’s super easy to do. 🙂
bouthou says
how much is one cup?
Ryan Yeung, Hong Kong says
240 / 250 g.
or 18 tablespoons
Glynis Scott says
I made miniature ones, 7 minutes in the oven. They r so delish and easy to make.
Thanks For sharing your recipe ❤
Pamela says
I’m so happy to hear you liked this recipe Glynis! Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Marti says
Could these work in a muffin tin? Don’t have a donut pan.
Pamela says
Hey Marti, I think they could but I’ve never made them that way so I can’t be sure on times. If you do make them, I’d love to hear how they turned out. Here’s one of my favorite muffin recipes: https://brooklynfarmgirl.com/mini-coffee-cake-muffins/
Melissa says
I just messaged you. Bear bear and BunBun friend. I messaged that I grew up in upstate NY. Then I looked at your map. My mouth dropped. I grew up in Hobart. I went to school in South Kortright. My dad worked in Stamford and my mom grew up in Andes and Bovina. My dream was to have a store in Bovina. Oh I wish you well. If your farm is around there you are truly in God’s country.
Kristy says
I really want to try this recipe. Is the dough sturdy enough to form and bake without a donut pan.
lori says
made little change! added cinnamon to the sugar & brushed w/melted butter prior to shaking in bag. Also made a few munchkins using a mini muffin pan & they were EVEN BETTER! My kids & I were gobbling
them up! Def a keeper! Great recipe for kids – a one bowl wonder.
Pamela says
Hey Lori, thanks for the comment, I’m so happy you and the kids liked this recipe!
Beth says
Can these be frozen? Need to make a bunch for brunch!
Pamela says
Hey Beth – yes, they can be frozen!
Linda says
I just made these and they look awesome. I do not improvise very well, so I followed the recipe to a T. The bottoms were a very nice medium brownish color and the tops were not as brown (but still looked awesome). They covered with sugar awesomely. I did have to go buy donut pans. Walmart was out of stock so went home and got them the next day through Amazon. Now I will be making donuts, maybe even for school functions for my granddaughters. Thanks so much.
Pamela says
Hey Linda, thanks so much for commenting and letting me know you made these donuts! I’m so happy they were a hit! Keep on enjoying them!
christine says
You suggest substituting 1 cup of yogurt for 1/2 cup of buttermilk
Is that correct?
Thanks
Pamela says
Hey Christine, you will use 1/2 cup of yogurt for the 1/2 cup buttermilk substitution. These are 1:1. Hope this helps – enjoy the donuts!
Sunny says
These are delicious!
Pamela says
Thanks Sunny, I’m happy you liked the donuts! Thanks for commenting!
Janet Hopkins-Spalti says
Can I use self rising. Flour and omit the baking powder and salt ?
They look delicious!
Pamela says
Hey Janet, I always use all purpose flour for these donuts, so I can’t tell you if self rising will give you the same delicious donuts. If you do try, I’d love to hear how they turn out!
Pamela Johnson says
Wow, this is a tough one not eating them all. They are so easy and very delicious and putting all kinds of topping on them, from glazed to chocolate with sprinkles was amazing as well. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING!
Pamela says
I’m glad you enjoyed the donuts! I love the idea of adding chocolate and sprinkles on top! 🙂
ServantHeart says
Can I make these without a donut pan? Like just in a muffin pan? Donuts with the holes still in? Will that affect the baking time?
Pamela says
You could try making them as mini muffins. I would do 350 and bake for 10-13 minutes.
Nicole says
Do I use 3/4 cups of sugar in the recipe? Or 2/4 and 1/4 for dipping? I just want to make sure thanks
Pamela says
You will use 3/4 cup sugar for the actual baking of the donuts. The additional 1/4 cup sugar is for coating them. Enjoy the donuts!
Bonnie says
I thought about trying this…but it is the exact same ingredients as my pancake recipe.
Pamela says
What’s wrong with the ingredients? They make delicious donuts! Hope you give this recipe a shot.
Sarah says
Made this snowy morning for my daughter and her friend. I was hesitant to use substitute milk/vinegar for buttermilk, but they T LOVED them. I used my vintage Hamilton Beach donut maker from the 70s. Thanks for the recipe -pinned!!!
Pamela says
Hey Sarah, thanks for commenting and letting me know everyone enjoyed the donuts! They make the perfect snowy morning breakfast! 🙂
Karen says
Very good, but why do they not brown on the top? Otherwise easy & delicious!
Pamela says
Hey Karen, do you want them to brown on the top? If so, you can turn on the broiler when they’re finished baking, but make it quick (I’d start at 15 seconds) and watch them like a hawk.
Gayle says
Do I use a mixer or mix by hand?
Pamela says
Hey Gayle, I usually use a hand mixer for ease, but you can use a spoon if you want!
Oluchi says
Donuts look wonderful and easy to make.can’t find baking pans,can I use donuts silicon pans?
Pamela says
You sure can! Enjoy the donuts!
Sandie says
Easy to make but the sugar wouldn’t stick. Made a butter flavored glaze and then sprinkled on sugared cinnamon. My 4H group loved their “snickerdoodle” treat.
Norma says
I’ve made baked donuts before and they were just, meh. These are absolutely delicious. I made them for coffee hour at my church and they were eaten in 5 minutes. All gone, to rave reviews! I have to restrain myself from making them for myself. Yummy! Thanks for the recipe.
Pamela says
Hey Norma, thanks so much for your kind comment. I’m so happy they were a at a hit for coffee hour! Take care!
Msolorio says
Easy, fast and so yummy
alex says
is the temperature fahrenheit or celsius?
Pamela says
Hey Alex, all recipes on this site are Fahrenheit. Hope this helps!
Sandie says
So easy. Had donuts in a half hour! My Mom is ALWAYS complaining that she hates the glaze and stuff they put on store bought donuts. Now I can whip these up for her as a treat.
Pamela says
Hey Sandie, I’m so happy that you enjoyed these donuts! Thanks for commenting, it made me smile!
Marcy says
These were so easy for my kids to make! We loved them, thank you!
Meikda says
Just put my first batch in the oven.
Pamela says
Hope you enjoy these donuts Meikda!
Kathryn Griffin says
Pamela, these are so pretty! I bet they are divine! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the fan favorites at The Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week’s Showcase. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/sunday-showcase-make-pretty-monday-8-34/ Have a gorgeous week ahead! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Those are the best looking baked donuts I’ve seen! Yum!