Easy Baked Doughnuts

I love a recipe that feels a little extra but is actually very doable, and these easy baked doughnuts are exactly that. They're soft, fluffy, lightly sweet, and topped with the cutest pastel icing, which makes them perfect for Valentine's Day or when you want a sweet breakfast treat.

These doughnuts are made with yeast, so they have that classic bakery-style texture, but they're still beginner-friendly. If you want a fun baking project that feels cozy, cute, and festive, this one is such a vibe.

Things to Know Before Making Home-Made Pink Orange Doughnuts

• Let the dough rise fully so the doughnuts stay soft and fluffy
• A warm spot helps the yeast activate properly
• Don't overcrowd the oil when frying
• Decorating with pink and orange sprinkles makes these perfect for Valentine's Day but you can change the sprinkles to any color.
• This recipe uses caster sugar, which is just super fine sugar that dissolves easily and helps keep the doughnuts soft. Regular granulated sugar works too. The texture will be slightly less tender, but still delicious.

I love making these when I want something homemade that still feels fun and festive. They're especially cute for Valentine's Day breakfast or dessert with friends.

If you love baking up treats like I do, you'll love these too: Red Velvet Truffles, Strawberry Shortcake Trifles, Red Velvet Cake Pops.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Egg yolks: Help create a rich, tender dough
• Self-rising flour: Keeps things simple while giving structure
• Milk: Adds moisture and softness
• Butter: Makes the dough rich and flavorful
• Dry yeast: Gives that classic fluffy doughnut texture
• Caster sugar: You can make your own by pulsing regular granulated sugar in a blender or food processor for about 10-15 seconds until it looks finer (not powdered). You can also use regular granulated sugar as-is if that's what you have. Just know the doughnuts may be slightly less tender.
• Olive oil: Helps bring the dough together
• Oil for frying: Creates golden, crisp doughnuts

Scroll to the recipe card for exact measurements.

How to Make Homemade Doughnuts with Yeast

Step 1: In a medium bowl, mix the self-rising flour, dry yeast, and caster sugar. Add the egg yolks, then slowly mix in the milk, olive oil, and butter. Stir until a soft dough forms, then gently knead until smooth.

Step 2: Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and place it somewhere warm. Let it rise for about 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 3: Lightly flour your surface. Roll the dough into balls, flatten slightly, and cut into rounds using a doughnut cutter. Use a small cutter to remove the center holes. Place the shaped doughnuts on parchment paper.

Step 4: Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer. Fry the doughnuts 1-2 at a time for about 2 minutes per side, until golden. Transfer to a plate and let cool completely.

Step 5: Mix icing sugar with water until smooth. Pour or drizzle the glaze over each doughnut and decorate with pink, orange, and white sprinkles.

Substitutions and Variations

• Add food coloring to the icing for brighter Valentine colors
• Swap sprinkle colors for other holidays
• Add orange zest to the icing for extra flavor
• Skip sprinkles for a simple glazed look

What to Serve with Easy Baked Doughnuts

These doughnuts are perfect with coffee, tea, or a cozy Valentine's Day hot chocolate. They also make a fun addition to a brunch board or dessert spread.

Storage and Freezing

Store doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They're best enjoyed fresh, but you can refrigerate them if needed.

FAQs

Can I make these doughnuts ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare and fry them ahead, then glaze right before serving for the best texture.

Do I need a doughnut pan?

No. These are shaped by hand and fried, so no pan is required.

Can I use regular sugar instead of caster sugar?

Yes. You can use regular granulated sugar if that's what you have on hand. Caster sugar is just a super fine sugar that dissolves more easily and helps create softer, more tender doughnuts. Using granulated sugar will still work, but the texture may be slightly less tender.

How do you make caster sugar at home?

To make caster sugar at home, add regular granulated sugar to a blender or food processor and pulse for about 10-15 seconds until the sugar looks finer but not powdered. Let it settle before opening the lid. The texture should be somewhere between granulated sugar and powdered sugar.

Why are my doughnuts dense?

Dense doughnuts usually mean the dough didn't rise long enough. Give the yeast time to work.

More Easy Breakfast Recipes

• Easy Breakfast Sliders
• Valentine's Day Breakfast Board
• Valentine Cinnamon Rolls for Two