Cranberry Vanilla Donuts are soft, tender, and delicious. They can be made in a jiffy and topped with anything you desire. When you need a quick, homemade breakfast, brunch, or after-school treat, this is a great recipe to have in your hip pocket.
The donut demon has been released. Since making the Dark Chocolate Baked Donuts recipe, I’ve been dreaming up other ways to show my once-neglected donut pan some love. This Cranberry Vanilla Donuts recipe deserves a whole lot of love. Who says you can’t make traditional donuts at home?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Cranberries. Cranberries are delicious and can be used in many ways. It used to be that I bought a bag at Thanksgiving and made a delicious sauce. The small amount that was left went to waste. I don’t like wasting food, so I always think of other ways to use ingredients. Unfortunately, unlike other fruits, they are just too sour to eat as is.
Delicious. Last year, I made Cranberry Orange muffins. They were so delicious that I knew Cranberry Donuts would be delicious too, and I wasn’t wrong. The delicious vanilla flavor comes through and blends so well with the citrus of the cranberry. The crumb is delicate and melts in your mouth. They make a great food gift during the holiday season too.
Versatile Baked Donut. I glazed these babies and dipped a few in-ground walnuts. You could top them any way you please, dust them with powdered sugar, or skip the topping altogether.
Skip the donut shop. Instead of a traditional fried donut, this easy recipe makes perfect vanilla donuts with a soft tender cake-like texture in less than 30 minutes.
Items you may need to make the best Cranberry Vanilla Donut recipe!
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- Donut pans – These non-stick donut pans are so easy to use and the baked donuts pop right out.
- Cooling racks – I love these large racks. I can get an entire batch od cookies on one and they’re tough enough to hold large loaves of bread. It fits into my half-sheet pan for baking bacon too!
Ingredients for Vanilla Donuts
- All-Purpose Flour.
- Sugar.
- Baking Soda.
- Salt.
- Buttermilk. If you don’t have buttermilk, make your own. You can also substitute it with sour cream or plain yogurt. The acidity works with the baking soda making a light and tender donut with a moist cake-like texture.
- Canola Oil. Or another neutral oil such as Vegetable oil would be a great substitution. Use coconut oil for a subtle coconut flavor.
- Eggs. We use large eggs.
- Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Seeds or Paste. I love using pure vanilla extract and fresh vanilla beans or vanilla bean paste. The flecks just mean flavor to me.
- Cranberries. Fresh or frozen, thawed.
Vanilla Donut Glaze Ingredients
- Powdered Sugar.
- Cream. Or milk.
- Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Seeds or Paste.
Please note, that the printable recipe card has ingredient quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.
How to Make Vanilla Donuts
Step One. Get it all ready.
Preheat your oven and prepare the pan by brushing it with oil or cooking spray. Set out all your ingredients ahead of time for the best results.
Step Two. Mix the dry ingredients.
Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together.
Step Three. Mix the wet ingredients.
In a medium bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine egg, egg yolk, and buttermilk. Whisk to combine. Add oil, vanilla, and vanilla bean seeds or paste.
Step Four. Combine the wet and dry ingredients.
Mix the two bowls together first, then fold in the cranberries.
Step Five. Fill the donut pan.
Carefully spoon the donut batter into the donut cavities or use a reclosable plastic bag or disposable piping bag. Fill the prepared donut pan.
Step Six. Bake your cranberry vanilla donuts.
Bake until golden brown. Do not overbake. Cool before glazing.
Step Seven. Glaze the vanilla donuts.
Mix the glaze in a shallow small bowl and dip each donut. Add nuts, coconut, or sprinkles to the tops of the donuts immediately if desired.
Vanilla Donut Recipe FAQ’s
How should I store leftover Vanilla Cake Donuts?
Leftover baked Vanilla donuts without vanilla icing can be stored at room temperature and lightly covered with plastic wrap. After glazing, store in the refrigerator. Glaze can be kept refrigerated and applied right before serving for the freshest flavor.
Can I freeze Homemade Donuts?
Yes, you can freeze homemade donuts with or without the glaze. Freeze donuts on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper in a single layer and then move them to an airtight container after they are frozen. Thaw in the microwave for thirty seconds each or at room temperature.
The vanilla glaze can be frozen separately and applied to thawed donuts.
Hostess Tips and Tricks
When glazing donuts, set the donuts on a cooling wire rack to dry, with a cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper or a paper towel, underneath it to catch the drips. This makes cleaning up a breeze!
If you want to add topping to your donuts, dip the donuts in the topping immediately after dipping the donuts in the glaze. I’ve shared some topping ideas in the “Variations” section.
Variations
Possible donut toppings are infinite! If you don’t love glaze, you can toss the donuts in powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or just plain white sugar by putting the sugar and donuts into a bag and giving it a good shake.
To vary the sweet vanilla glaze flavor, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of another extract such as lemon, orange, vanilla, almond, maple, or your personal favorite. You could also add cinnamon or nutmeg to the donut batter.
You can make a thick glaze or frosting by adding less liquid.
Make mini donuts instead of full-sized donuts using a mini donut pan. You can even use a mini muffin pan.
Instead of fresh cranberries, you can use dried cranberries (Craisins) or another dried fruit.
A fun activity for a birthday party. Instead of cake, pre-bake and cool the donuts. Separate the glaze into two or three bowls and color each with food coloring. Set out separate toppings and gather the kids. Let them make and eat their own sprinkled donut.
Other topping ideas to add to glazed donuts include:
- Crushed walnuts, pecans, or slivered almonds
- coconut flakes
- sprinkles
- crushed cereal such as Fruity Pebbles
- old-fashioned oats
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If you tried this delicious recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave me a comment telling me what you think. I love hearing from you!
Baked Cranberry Baked Donuts Recipe
Ingredients
Batter
- 1-1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 2 eggs (you'll use 1 whole egg plus 1 egg yolk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 vanilla bean Seeds of 1/2
- 1/3 cup cranberries finely chopped
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 5 tbsp cream or milk
- ½ vanilla bean Seeds of 1/2
Toppings
- Ground walnuts or powdered sugar or other toppings as desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F. Oil donut pan and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together to combine.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl combine egg, egg yolk, and buttermilk. Whisk to combine. Add oil, vanilla, and vanilla bean seeds. Whisk again to combine.
- Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Fold cranberries into batter.
- Fill a ziplock bag with the filling and clip the corner of the bag. Squeeze batter into donut pan until 2/3 to 3/4 full.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Don’t over bake.
- Let cool 5 minutes in the pan and then turn out onto a cooling rack. Cool completely.
Glaze
- Add cream to powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until glaze is thin enough to dip donuts. Add vanilla seeds and stir to combine.
- Dip donuts in glaze and immediately into ground walnuts or other toppings.
- Serve immediately
- Store leftovers in a sealed container at room temperature.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
What is your favorite way to use cranberries? I’d love it if you would share your ideas!
This recipe was originally shared on 11/23/2016 and has been updated to share tips and variations. No changes were made to the recipe.
Welcome to #CranberryWeek, hosted by Caroline’s Cooking. We’ll be sharing cranberry-inspired creations all week long in celebration of National Cranberry Day. Search #CranberryWeek to keep up to date and follow the #CranberryWeek Pinterest board for more cranberry inspiration. But first, see all the other cranberry recipes being shared today:
- Braised Short Ribs with Hoisin-Cranberry Sauce and Asian Coleslaw from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Cranberry Borscht from Palatable Pastime
- Cranberry Glazed Pork Loin from Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Mixed Berry Sorbet from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Cranberry Lemon Curd Tart (no bake, GF) from Caroline’s Cooking
- Cranberry Smoothie from The Chef Next Door
- Grilled Brie with Cranberries from Full Belly Sisters
- Cranberry Vanilla Bean Donuts from Hostess At Heart
- Orange Cranberry Turnovers by The Bitter Side of Sweet
- Panko Crusted Chicken with Maple Cranberry Sauce from Family Around The Table
- Sweet Heat Cranberry Spread from Cooking With Carlee
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Kathi
Tuesday 19th of September 2023
Used vanilla bean paste -- oh so good, the house smelled amazing too when baking and not a crumb was left!
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Michaela Kenkel
Wednesday 18th of May 2022
This is my FAVORITE donut recipe!! I make these at least once a month!!
Julie Menghini
Friday 20th of May 2022
Thank you, Michaela!
Cindy Minton
Wednesday 26th of May 2021
I wanted to use up some cranberries in the freezer and being a donut fanatic had to give this recipe a try. My family absolutely loved it and now I'll be stocking up more cranberries so we can have them all year long.
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