These Baked Lemon Blueberry Donuts are fluffy, packed with citrus flavor and bursting with blueberries and covered in a tangy glaze! Baked donuts are the perfect healthy breakfast or snack. Includes step by step recipe video.
It was a big day here on The Recipe Rebel the day these first appeared: my first successful batch of baked donuts.
I have no idea why it took me so long to get on board.
I first posted this recipe more than TWO years ago (what?!?) but it needed a little love and a new recipe video, and — well — I needed another batch of these doughnuts.
I received a doughnut/donut pan way too long ago for Christmas. I baked doughnuts once, they sucked, and then I put it on the bottom of my stack of baking pans for a couple years.
When we were grocery shopping the other day, my husband told me he’d seen a mini doughnut maker in the clearance section for $9, and I had to buy it. Because if there’s anything better than eating a homemade doughnut, it’s eating a dozen mini homemade doughnuts.
(I also saw a pumpkin shaped cake pop pan for 94 cents, and absolutely wasn’t going to leave it there. But then I thought about sharing some pumpkin cake pops on the blog, and Step 3 being “now whip out your pumpkin-shaped cake pop pan”, and all of you leaving and never returning. So I left it there.)
So I bring home my mini doughnut maker and some blueberries and lemons.
Lemon Blueberry Doughnuts.
I had a big hankering for citrus and warm weather, so I mixed up some doughnut batter, and stir in some lemon zest and blueberries. The batter is thick, and I’m a little worried they’re going to be dense and chewy like my first batch.
Nevertheless, I scoop it into a large disposable piping bag and try piping it into the mini doughnut maker but the blueberries are just too big and it’s not really working.
Back to my trusty doughnut pan.
Turns out, they weren’t dense and chewy at all. They are soft, and cakey, and lemony, and springy, and PERFECT.
And they’ve made me a hardcore believer in the homemade baked doughnut. So there’s a good chance you’ll see about 713 variations of them in the next couple months.
I hope you won’t be mad?
More Lemon Blueberry love:
- Lemon Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
- Cream Cheese Filled Blueberry Lemon Bread
- Greek Yogurt Lemon Bundt Cake
Baked Lemon Blueberry Doughnuts
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar 150 g
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tsp grated lemon zest depending on your tastes
- 1 cup buttermilk or substitute regular milk
- 2 2/3 all-purpose flour 350g
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered icing sugar
- 1-2 tsp lemon zest (optional)
- 7-8 tbsp fresh lemon juice or milk see notes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and grease your doughnut pans with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine butter, oil and sugar and whisk until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add in eggs, vanilla, lemon zest and buttermilk and whisk until smooth.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, and whisk just until combined. Stir in blueberries. Batter will be thick (see notes).
- Spoon batter into a large disposable piping bag or freezer bag (optional method – see notes. You can also spoon batter into doughnut pan). Cut off the end of the bag so your opening is about ½-3/4” wide (big enough for the blueberries to get through). Pipe batter once around each doughnut hole – the batter shouldn’t quite fill the hole as they’ll expand and rise.
- Bake for 7-8 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes before removing from the doughnut pan to cool completely.
- Make the glaze:In a medium bowl (not too deep as you’ll want to be able to dip your doughnuts), combine sugar, zest, and 6 tbsp of juice or milk. Add an additional 1-2 tbsp of liquid if needed. You want your glaze to be thin enough to evenly coat your doughnuts, but thick enough that it will set and become dry to the touch.
- When doughnuts are completely cool, dip tops of doughnuts into the glaze and overturn so the glaze runs down the sides. Set aside for the glaze to set (or, just shove them right in your mouth!).
Notes
*If you like more lemon flavour, use fresh lemon juice for the glaze. If you like less lemon flavour, use milk.
*If you’re making these ahead of time, I recommend baking them, letting them cool, and storing in an airtight container, then glazing up to a few hours before serving them. The glazed doughnuts become softer and stickier when stored in an airtight container. I baked and glazed them in the morning, and let them sit on the counter the whole day so the glaze would stay set.
Nutrition Information
Want to save this recipe?
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.
Tried this recipe?
Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
Tag @thereciperebel
Tonia says
These look perfect! Like a blueberry muffin, but better. I make sure to include doughnuts and donuts in my blog posts for the SEO value…LOL! 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Tonia! Haha, I probably should! If I do it’s only in an “I’m right and you’re wrong” kind of way — mostly I’m just stuck in my ways! Lol
Brittany says
Oh heavens! These look fabulous! And for being donu….I mean Doughnuts, I feel like they lean towards being healthy because, you know…blueberries. I declare them healthy and will be locating a doughnut pan PRONTO.
🙂
Ashley says
Hahaha, they’re baked AND they have blueberries! Which means they’re totally healthy and a perfectly acceptable breakfast 🙂
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
Congrats on your first successful batch of doughnuts! (I had to correct myself from using donuts there) These look beautiful so it looks like a success!
Ashley says
Haha, thanks Shelby!
Stacey @ Bake Eat Repeat says
These doughnuts look amazing, and I completely agree with you on the spelling thing! I cannot change the spelling of doughnut and cheque, it’s just not right! I need to use my doughnut pan more often, I think I’ve only used it twice. I may start with these ones!
Ashley says
Haha, glad you’re on my side! You should definitely give them a go — I think I ate 6 the day I made them :S
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says
Now I need to go back in my posts and change the spelling of donuts to doughnuts, lol! These look so yummy and perfect for spring! Your pictures are beautiful!!
Ashley says
Haha, I’m just stuck in my stubborn ways! Thanks Jen!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
These donuts are GORGEOUS Ashley! Opps…I guess I just say “donuts”. Laziness at its finest 😉
Pinned!
Ashley says
Hahaha, I’m just a snob, that’s all! Thanks Mariah!
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
See, I always wondered about “doughnut” and “donut”. At some point I just thought it was a UK/US difference, haha! Honestly, I don’t even possess a donut pan! I’m all about the deep-frying but I probably need to jump on the bandwagon as well! They’re looking GOOD Ashley!
Ashley says
Haha, I think I’ve deep-fried like twice in my life Nora! Obviously doughnuts. Thanks!
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
I am late to the doughnut baking party too. Not to buying the pan but to actually using it! I made maple/bacon and Heath bar versions and loved them and now want to make doughnuts every day. This flavor combo is on my list; thanks for making it easy on me and providing a recipe!
Ashley says
Maple Bacon and Heath sound amazing! I will have to check those out!
My Kitchen Craze says
These “doughnuts” look perfect. Soft, moist and fruity. I need these in my life! Delicious!
Ashley says
You DO Cyndi!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Haha I’m with Justine when it comes to the spelling too 😉 These are just gorgeous! Love the lemon and blueberry combo!
Ashley says
Thanks Kelly!
Kate @ Diethood says
I’m a “doughnut” girl, too!! I came to the States when I was 11 years old, and because I had to learn English at such an older age, I am a spelling freak!! I cringe when I see misspelled words. 😀
Your doughnuts look fantastic! Thinking about the burst of blueberries is making my mouth water!
Ashley says
Thanks Kate! Glad to have you on my side 😀
Michelle says
Why would anyone be mad about doughnuts?! These look so fantastic, and lemon blueberry is a light and springy variation that you don’t see often – perfection! Also, you write cheques?! Is that really even a word? Spell check is saying it’s not 😉
Ashley says
Haha, what?! Shame on your spell check! Apparently your spell check must be American. Lol. Us Canadians like to do everything the most difficult way possible. Thanks Michelle!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I still need to get a donut pan. Baked donuts sound just too good! Especially these lemon blueberry ones : )
Ashley says
You do Natalie!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
Uh oh, I specialized in English and I think I have been using the term doughnuts/donuts interchangeably! I’ll correct that from now on!I have been wanting to make homemade doughnuts forever. I swear I will one day!
Ashley says
Haha,it might actually be a British/Canadian v. American thing… but even so, I’m Canadian and I stubbornly stick to the longest spelling of all the words. Lol. You need to try homemade doughnuts!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Lemon + blueberry has got to be the BEST combo ever. . after chocolate + peanut butter of course. . and I eat “doughnuts” too. . LOVE these, Ashley!!!!! gorgeous!
Ashley says
Thanks so much Alice!
Justine | Cooking and Beer says
I like to flip flop between “donut” and “doughnut.” It just depends on my mood. 😉 Has anyone figured out which one is better for SEO purposes? I would like to know this! In all seriousness though, I need to bake more doughnuts, and these cuties are right up there on that list! Love!
Ashley says
Haha, it’s probably safest to throw both in the mix for SEO. Thanks Justine!
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles says
Congratulations on some beautiful donuts, Ashley! They look delicious! And for being a donut virgin, and yours turned out pretty fantastic! 🙂
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles says
Yours turned out fantastic. Wednesday morning grammar issues.
Nutmeg Nanny says
I’m one of those weird donut over doughnut girls 😉 However, I LOVE this lemon blueberry combo. So fresh and delicious….yum!
Ashley says
Haha, I’ll forgive you. Thanks!
Beth says
I am a fellow donut lover! However I say donut.. Hope we can still be friends 🙂 🙂
Ashley says
Always! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I don’t think I could ever get enough of donuts, so keep those recipes coming! These donuts looks so gorgeous, Ashley! I love the pretty pops of color from the blueberries. And the flavor sounds perfect for the spring, especially with that glaze!
Ashley says
Thanks Gayle!