If you’re craving a treat that blends fluffy, tender pastry and a pop of bright berry flavor, these Strawberry Glazed Donuts will absolutely steal your heart (and your tastebuds!). Imagine a just-baked donut, golden and light, enveloped in a glossy homemade strawberry glaze that actually tastes like real berries—because it is real berries. These are a celebration of fresh strawberries and the kind of sweet, satisfying pastry you want to impress with at brunch or savor with your morning coffee. Let’s take these donuts from oven to glaze, and straight to your favorite plate!

Strawberry Glazed Donuts Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this recipe is carefully chosen to help these Strawberry Glazed Donuts achieve their dreamiest taste and texture. From the light crumb of the donut base to the real fruit in the glaze, here’s how each star ingredient shines.

All-purpose flour: The backbone of any great donut, providing a tender, cake-like structure that holds up to the luscious strawberry glaze.
Baking powder: Adds essential lift, ensuring your donuts rise beautifully and stay light.
Baking soda: Works with the sour cream for a soft crumb and just the right amount of puff.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances all those berry and vanilla notes.
Nutmeg: Just a pinch adds a subtle warmth that makes the donut base irresistible.
White granulated sugar: Gives the donuts their sweetness and helps with that perfectly golden finish.
Large eggs (room temperature): Binds the batter together and keeps it moist—room temp eggs help the donuts bake up fluffier.
Milk (room temperature): Adds moisture and tenderness; using room temperature keeps the batter smooth.
Sour cream (room temperature or Greek yogurt): Makes these donuts extra plush and rich, with a subtle tang to brighten the flavor.
Unsalted butter (melted and cooled): Adds richness and a subtle buttery taste that rounds out every bite.
Pure vanilla extract: A must-have for aromatic, bakery-style flavor that complements the strawberries.
Strawberries (washed and quartered): The star of our glaze—use bright, ripe berries for the best color and flavor.
Powdered sugar: The smooth base for our strawberry glaze—super-fine texture is key for that perfect finish.
Milk: Helps to achieve just the right dipping consistency for your glaze.

How to Make Strawberry Glazed Donuts

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pans

Get started by preheating your oven to 350°F. Give two donut pans a thorough spray with baking non-stick spray so your Strawberry Glazed Donuts release like a dream after baking. A well-greased pan makes all the difference—no sticking, just beautifully shaped donuts every time.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and a pinch of nutmeg. This combination not only ensures the perfect rise, but the nutmeg adds that subtle “bakery magic” so every bite feels like a treat from your favorite pastry shop.

Step 3: Blend the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, eggs, milk, sour cream, cooled melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together until smooth and fully combined—this step is where the richness and moisture is built right into your donuts.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet ingredients into your dry mixture. Stir gently until just combined; don’t overmix, as that can make the donuts dense. The batter should be thick and slightly lumpy, promising lots of airy pockets once baked.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pans

Spoon your donut batter into a piping bag or ziplock bag, snip off the corner, and pipe the mixture into your prepared pans. Aim for each cavity to be about 2/3 full—this gives the donuts room to rise without spilling over, giving you picture-perfect rings every single time.

Step 6: Bake

Slide your donut pans into the oven and bake for 10 to 13 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted into one comes out clean, and the tops spring back when gently pressed. Let them sit in the pans for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely—this sets the crumb and keeps the donuts from breaking apart.

Step 7: Make the Strawberry Glaze

While your donuts cool, whip up that dazzling strawberry glaze. Puree the fresh, quartered strawberries in a food processor until smooth. Transfer the puree to a small bowl, then add half of the powdered sugar and stir to combine. Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix again. Once everything is combined, pour in the milk and stir until you have a thick, glossy glaze—add extra powdered sugar if it seems too thin. The consistency should be thick enough to coat the donut without running right off.

Step 8: Glaze and Dry

Dip each cooled donut face-down into the strawberry glaze, swirl for full coverage, then let any excess drip away. Place them back on your cooling rack and let the glaze set before serving. The color is vibrant and the aroma—well, you might not want to wait!

How to Serve Strawberry Glazed Donuts

Garnishes

For an eye-catching finish, sprinkle your Strawberry Glazed Donuts with a dusting of additional powdered sugar, a few slices of fresh strawberry, or even edible flower petals for a special occasion. A little lemon zest on top gives an extra zing that really pops with the berry glaze!

Side Dishes

Pair these donuts with a cold glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee, or a luscious berry smoothie. If you’re assembling a brunch spread, try adding fruit salad, yogurt parfaits, or even savory options like scrambled eggs to balance out the sweetness of the Strawberry Glazed Donuts.

Creative Ways to Present

Bring out your inner pastry chef and stack your donuts high on a cake stand for an impressive tower, or nestle them in a vintage basket lined with a cheerful napkin. For parties, poke a skewer through mini versions and serve “donut pops.” You can even personalize each donut with initials or themed sprinkles to match celebrations—your guests will love the thoughtful touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any Strawberry Glazed Donuts left, store them in an airtight container at room temperature if you’ll be eating them within a day (the glaze stays freshest this way). For longer freshness, refrigerate for up to 3 days—just let them come to room temperature before serving.

Freezing

To freeze, place the cooled, unglazed donuts into a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready, then dip in fresh glaze for that just-made experience. Freezing with the glaze isn’t recommended, as condensation can make the topping runny.

Reheating

If your donuts have been refrigerated or frozen, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to revive their pillowy texture. If glazed, reheat gently and briefly—just until barely warm—or wait to glaze after reheating to keep things beautiful and glossy.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for the glaze?

Absolutely! If strawberries aren’t in season, frozen ones work well. Just thaw and drain off any excess liquid before blending so your glaze isn’t watery.

Is it possible to make these Strawberry Glazed Donuts gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Check that your baking powder and other ingredients are certified gluten-free for best results.

Can I bake these donuts as muffins instead?

You sure can. Divide the batter evenly into a muffin tin lined with paper liners (filling about 2/3 full) and bake—timing may increase by a few minutes, so check with a toothpick for doneness.

How can I keep my donuts extra moist?

Make sure not to overbake them, as even a minute too long in the oven can dry out the crumb. Using sour cream or Greek yogurt, as this recipe suggests, helps lock in extra moisture that lasts.

What’s the best way to get a thick, glossy glaze?

Use plenty of powdered sugar and add milk a little at a time until you hit a consistency that’s pourable but thick enough to coat. Glazing the donuts once they’re fully cooled ensures the finish will set beautifully.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never made homemade donuts before, this is the perfect place to start! Every step, from baking the golden rings to glazing them with real strawberries, is completely doable—and so rewarding. Let yourself fall in love with these Strawberry Glazed Donuts, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself making another batch right away. Happy baking!

Strawberry Glazed Donuts Recipe