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Lemon Donuts

Featured in Sweet Treats & Baked Goods.

These Lemon Donuts are the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, with a soft cake-like texture that melts in your mouth. Made from scratch with fresh lemon zest and juice in both the batter and icing, these donuts deliver authentic citrus flavor in every bite. The recipe creates 16 donuts that are baked rather than fried, making them a lighter alternative to traditional donuts. The process is straightforward - mix your dry ingredients, combine your wet ingredients, pipe the batter into donut pans, and bake for just 10 minutes. Once cooled, a simple lemon icing adds the perfect finishing touch, with extra lemon zest sprinkled on top for an additional burst of flavor and beautiful presentation. These donuts are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon treat.
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Comfort Cravings Recipes
Updated on Sun, 23 Mar 2025 23:59:10 GMT
Lemon Donuts Pin it
Lemon Donuts | comfortcravingsrecipes.com

These vibrant lemon donuts deliver sunshine in every bite with their perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The tender, cake-like texture practically melts in your mouth while the bright citrus notes wake up your taste buds. Unlike heavy, fried donuts, these baked treats offer a lighter experience without sacrificing satisfaction. The luscious lemon glaze creates a thin, crackling shell that gives way to the soft interior, making each bite a delightful textural experience you'll want to repeat again and again.

I first made these lemon donuts for a spring brunch when I wanted something special but not overly complicated. My mother-in-law, who typically declines desserts, asked for the recipe before leaving. Several friends commented that they tasted more vibrant and fresh than bakery versions. The natural lemon flavor seems to cut through the sweetness in a way that makes them irresistible even to those who don't consider themselves dessert lovers.

Essential Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 2 cups (spooned and leveled)
  • Baking powder: 2 teaspoons (check freshness)
  • Baking soda: ½ teaspoon
  • Granulated sugar: ⅔ cup
  • Eggs: 2 large (room temperature)
  • Lemon zest: From 2 lemons (yellow part only)
  • Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons (fresh squeezed)
  • Powdered sugar: 2 cups (sifted for glaze)

Baking Instructions

Oven Preparation:
Preheat to 350°F. Grease donut pans thoroughly
Dry Mix:
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar
Wet Mix:
Combine eggs, milk, sour cream, melted butter, vanilla, lemon zest and juice
Batter Creation:
Fold wet ingredients into dry until just combined
Pan Filling:
Pipe batter into pans, filling halfway
Baking:
9-11 minutes until springy to touch
Glazing:
Dip cooled donuts in lemon glaze, garnish with zest
Zesty Lemon Glazed Donuts Pin it
Zesty Lemon Glazed Donuts | comfortcravingsrecipes.com

These donuts became my signature bring-along item after my daughter's graduation brunch. The bright lemon flavor elevates any occasion, continuing my grandmother's tradition of lemon desserts. My teenage son marveled at how zest alone creates such vibrant flavor, sparking kitchen science discussions.

Serving Suggestions

Pair with Earl Grey tea or medium roast coffee. Arrange on tiered stands with fresh berries. Offer lemon curd or mascarpone for dipping.

Creative Variations

  • Lemon Blueberry: Fold 1 cup berries into batter
  • Lemon Lavender: Infuse sugar with culinary lavender
  • Tropical Twist: Use lime zest + coconut extract
  • Winter Spice: Add ginger and nutmeg

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Dense texture: Check leavener freshness
  • Dry donuts: Avoid overbaking/overmixing
  • Uneven browning: Verify oven temperature
Citrus-infused Lemon Donuts Pin it
Citrus-infused Lemon Donuts | comfortcravingsrecipes.com

These lemon donuts prove simple ingredients create extraordinary joy. Their sunny appearance and balanced flavors turn ordinary moments into celebrations—a reminder that remarkable food need not be complicated to make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these lemon donuts without a donut pan?
While a donut pan gives the classic shape, you can use a muffin tin to make lemon donut muffins. Fill each cup about halfway and adjust baking time as needed (typically 12-15 minutes).
→ How do I store these lemon donuts?
Store these donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, but they're best enjoyed fresh.
→ Can I freeze these lemon donuts?
Yes, you can freeze the unglazed donuts for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add the glaze fresh before serving for best results.
→ What can I substitute for sour cream in this recipe?
Greek yogurt is the best substitute for sour cream in this recipe. It provides similar moisture and tanginess that complements the lemon flavor.
→ Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum for proper structure.

Lemon Donuts

These soft cake-style Lemon Donuts are bursting with fresh citrus flavor and topped with a sweet-tart lemon icing for the perfect homemade treat.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Baking & Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (16 donuts)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Lemon Donuts

01 2 cups All-purpose flour
02 2 teaspoon Baking powder
03 ½ teaspoon Baking soda
04 1 teaspoon Salt
05 ⅔ cup White granulated sugar
06 2 Large eggs, room temperature
07 ½ cup Milk, room temperature
08 ½ cup Sour cream, room temperature
09 4 tablespoon Unsalted butter, melted and cooled
10 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
11 2 Lemons, zested
12 2 tablespoon Lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)

→ Lemon Icing

13 2 cups Powdered sugar, sifted
14 2 Lemons, zested
15 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
16 2-3 tablespoon Milk
17 Extra lemon zest for topping

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat the oven to 350℉. Spray two donut pans with baking spray. Set aside.

Step 02

In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.

Step 03

In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, milk, sour cream, melted butter, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Step 04

Use a piping bag to pipe the batter into the donut pan. It is really easy to over fill the pan. It should only be half full.

Step 05

Bake for 9-11 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. If your oven has room, you can bake both at the same time.

Step 06

Let the donuts sit in the hot pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Cool completely before icing.

Step 07

In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and milk. Use a whisk to mix until smooth. It needs to be runny enough to drip off the donuts, but not too runny that the batter is translucent.

Step 08

Dip the donuts into the icing. Top with extra lemon zest. Let the icing set before digging in.

Notes

  1. Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a kitchen scale. Compacted flour can dry out the donuts.
  2. For high altitude baking, add an extra 1 tablespoon of flour.
  3. Pull out dairy ingredients 2 hours before baking for best results.

Tools You'll Need

  • Two donut pans
  • Piping bag
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Cooling rack

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (milk, sour cream, butter)
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains gluten (all-purpose flour)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 136
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 37 g
  • Protein: 2 g