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Lemon Sugar Baked Donuts Recipe

4.5 from 135 reviews

These Lemon Sugar Baked Donuts are light, fluffy, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Perfectly baked with a tender crumb and coated in a sweet and tangy lemon sugar mix, they offer a delightful treat that’s easy to make at home. Ideal for breakfast or a refreshing snack, these donuts combine the zing of citrus with the comfort of a classic baked good, all without deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup whole milk (or milk substitute)
  • ⅓ cup melted butter (or oil for dairy-free)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Coating

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan thoroughly to ensure the donuts don’t stick during baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, whole milk, melted butter, lemon zest, and freshly squeezed lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the donuts tender and light.
  5. Fill Donut Pan: Using a piping bag or spoon, fill each donut cavity about two-thirds full with the batter to allow room for rising.
  6. Bake the Donuts: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the donuts comes out clean.
  7. Prepare Coating: While the donuts bake, mix ½ cup granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of lemon zest in a shallow dish to create the coating.
  8. Cool Donuts: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely so they hold their shape.
  9. Coat Donuts: Once the donuts are cool enough to handle, roll each one in the lemon sugar mixture until fully coated, giving them a sweet, citrusy finish.

Notes

  • For a dairy-free option, substitute melted butter with a neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil and use almond or oat milk instead of whole milk.
  • Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense donuts; mix just until ingredients are combined.
  • If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use muffin tins but the shape will be different.
  • Make sure the donuts are cool before coating to ensure the sugar sticks properly.
  • Store leftover donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.

Keywords: lemon donuts, baked donuts, lemon sugar donuts, easy baked donuts, citrus donuts