Description
Zesty lemon sugar baked donuts bring sunshine to breakfast tables with their delightful citrus charm. Sweet, tangy layers melt in your mouth, promising a cheerful morning treat that will make breakfast feel like a special celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.75 cups (420 ml) all-purpose flour
- 0.25 cup (60 ml) cornstarch
- 0.75 cup (180 ml) sugar
- 2 eggs
- 0.75 cup (180 ml) buttermilk
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
Fats and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
Coating:
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) sugar
- 4 teaspoons grated lemon zest
Instructions
- Position the oven rack in the center and preheat to 425°F (218°C). Thoroughly coat two 6-cavity donut pans with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, cornstarch, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt using a whisk.
- Create a smooth batter by incorporating buttermilk, large eggs, melted unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice, pure vanilla extract, and finely grated lemon zest. Stir until the mixture is completely uniform and free of lumps.
- Carefully distribute the batter evenly across the prepared donut pans, filling each cavity approximately two-thirds full to allow proper rising.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 7-9 minutes, watching for a light golden-brown color and a slightly firm texture. The donuts should spring back when gently touched.
- Remove from the oven and let the donuts rest in the pans for 5 minutes, allowing them to set and cool slightly.
- While the donuts are cooling, prepare the coating by processing granulated sugar and fresh lemon zest in a food processor until the mixture becomes a fine, fragrant powder.
- Carefully remove donuts from the pans. Dip each donut first in melted unsalted butter, ensuring complete coverage, then roll in the lemon-infused sugar mixture until fully coated.
- Transfer the coated donuts to a wire rack to allow any excess butter and sugar to drip off, creating a delicate, crisp exterior.
Notes
- Achieve perfectly golden donuts by watching them closely during the 7-9 minute baking window to prevent over-browning.
- Use fresh lemon zest for the most vibrant citrus flavor and brighten the entire batch of donuts.
- Ensure even coating by fully dipping each donut in melted butter before rolling in the lemon sugar mixture.
- Spray donut pans generously with nonstick cooking spray to guarantee easy donut removal without sticking.
- Let donuts cool slightly in the pan to help them set and maintain their delicate shape before removing.
- Mix wet ingredients just until smooth to keep the batter light and prevent tough, dense donuts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 254 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg