Heavenly Buttermilk Donut Cake Recipe

Irresistible Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake Recipe for All

Soft, pillowy, and irresistibly tender, this glazed buttermilk donut cake brings the beloved breakfast pastry into a delightful baked treat.

The rich buttermilk creates a luxurious texture that melts in your mouth with every single bite.

Dense yet incredibly light, the cake captures the essence of classic donuts without the hassle of deep frying.

A golden-brown exterior gives way to a moist, delicate crumb that promises pure indulgence.

The glossy vanilla glaze adds a sweet finish that turns this simple dessert into a showstopping centerpiece.

Drizzled generously and cooled to perfection, this cake delivers all the nostalgic flavor of your favorite morning donut in a shareable, elegant form.

One slice will have everyone asking for the recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45-50 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 13

Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake Ingredient Breakdown

For The Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy foundation, choose unbleached for richer flavor and better texture.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cake rise beautifully, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.
  • Baking Soda: Balances acidity and contributes to tender crumb, check expiration date for potency.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use fine sea salt for smooth distribution.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Adds warm, aromatic depth, freshly grated provides most intense flavor.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Buttermilk, Eggs: Creates tender, tangy texture, select farm-fresh eggs for richness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Delivers complex sweetness, pure extract offers superior flavor compared to imitation.
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy base, room temperature ensures smooth incorporation.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender structure, opt for fine-grain for even mixing.
For Glaze:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates silky smooth coating, sift to prevent lumps.
  • Water: Thins glaze for perfect drizzling consistency, use room temperature for easy blending.

Equipment Required for Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake

  • Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing cake batter smoothly.
  • Paddle Attachment: Connects to stand mixer for even blending of ingredients.
  • Medium Mixing Bowls: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients and preparing glaze.
  • Whisk: Crucial for combining dry ingredients and creating a lump-free glaze.
  • 12-15 Cup Bundt Pan: Specific pan needed for the cake's signature shape.
  • Baking Spray: Ensures easy cake release from the pan.
  • Wooden Pick/Toothpick: Helps test cake doneness by checking for clean insertion.
  • Wire Rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottom.
  • Cutting Board or Platter: Used for cake inversion and serving.
  • Pastry Brush: Helps apply glaze evenly across the cake's surface.

Making Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake in Your Kitchen

  • Pan Preparation

Grab a Bundt pan and coat it generously with cooking spray. Set your oven to a cozy 350°F.

  • Butter and Sugar Fusion

In a mixer, whip together soft butter and sugar until they transform into a light, airy cloud. The mixture should look fluffy and pale.

  • Egg and Flavor Incorporation

Gently fold eggs into the butter mixture one by one. Splash in vanilla for an extra flavor boost, mixing until everything is just blended.

  • Dry Ingredient Harmony

Grab a separate bowl and combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and baking soda. Whisk them together until they’re perfectly mixed.

  • Batter Creation

Slowly marry the dry ingredients with the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Start and finish with flour mixture. Mix until everything just comes together.

  • Baking Magic

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Give the pan a few gentle taps on the counter to release any sneaky air bubbles. Slide it into the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes.

  • Cooling and Glazing

Let the cake rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then flip it onto a plate. Allow it to cool completely. Whisk powdered sugar and water into a silky glaze. Once cooled, drizzle the glaze over the cake and let it set before serving.

Tips for Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake Success

  • Swap regular milk for buttermilk to create an incredibly tender, tangy cake texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Experiment with different warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, or allspice to personalize the cake's flavor profile and make it uniquely yours.
  • Use a non-stick baking spray with flour to ensure the Bundt cake releases smoothly without leaving any delicious bits behind in the pan.
  • Add a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of ground nutmeg to the glaze for an extra layer of aromatic richness that elevates the entire dessert.
  • Store the glazed cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping it moist and delectable for multiple servings.

Best Ways to Enjoy Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake

  • Brunch Centerpiece Delight: Showcase this golden buttermilk cake as the star of your weekend brunch, pairing it beautifully with fresh berries and whipped cream for a stunning presentation.
  • Afternoon Tea Companion: Slice the cake into elegant wedges and serve alongside a steaming cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea, creating a delightful mid-afternoon treat for friends and family.
  • Dessert Elegance: Transform this cake into a decadent dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce, elevating its already rich flavor profile to new heights.
  • Gift-Worthy Goodness: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper with a ribbon, making it a perfect homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, or anyone who appreciates a touch of sweet comfort.

How to Store Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake the Smart Way

  • Smart Storage Solutions
  • Airtight Container Magic: Store the glazed buttermilk donut cake in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, keeping its delightful moisture and soft texture intact.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: When storing longer than 4 days, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one week, ensuring freshness and preventing flavor loss.
  • Freezing Technique: Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap each carefully in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen cake remains delicious for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
  • Reheating Wisdom: Thaw frozen cake slices at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, or gently warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore its original soft, tender crumb.
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Heavenly Buttermilk Donut Cake Recipe

Heavenly Buttermilk Donut Cake


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4.6 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Eleventh Street Bakery’s glazed buttermilk donut cake blends nostalgic diner dessert with elegant home baking. Home cooks will discover a simple yet irresistible treat that celebrates classic American pastry traditions.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (12 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole buttermilk
  • 3 ½ cups (418g / 14 7/8 oz) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¾ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Baking spray with flour
  • 2 cups (240g / 8 oz) powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) water

Instructions

  1. Pan Preparation: Generously spray a Bundt pan with baking spray, covering every surface. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Butter Mixture: In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then incorporate vanilla extract, mixing until just combined.
  3. Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, ground nutmeg, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Alternately fold dry ingredients and buttermilk into the butter mixture, maintaining low mixer speed to prevent overmixing.
  4. Baking Process: Pour batter into the prepared Bundt pan, smoothing the top and tapping to remove air bubbles. Bake for 45-50 minutes, checking doneness with a wooden pick that should come out clean.
  5. Cooling and Unmolding: Let the cake rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack. Allow to cool completely for approximately one hour.
  6. Glaze Finishing: Whisk powdered sugar and water to create a smooth glaze. Once the cake reaches room temperature, drizzle the glaze over the surface, allowing it to flow naturally. Let the glaze set before serving.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold ingredients to maintain cake’s tender, light texture and avoid developing tough gluten strands.
  • Pan Preparation Matters: Thoroughly spray Bundt pan with baking spray, covering every ridge and crevice to ensure seamless cake release.
  • Temperature Precision: Allow ingredients like eggs and buttermilk to reach room temperature for smoother mixing and more consistent baking results.
  • Cooling Technique: Let cake rest in pan briefly before inverting to help structural integrity and prevent potential crumbling.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 410
  • Sugar: 38g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 51g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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