Description

Valentine’s Day Donuts with fresh strawberries and a sweet glaze offer a soft, fluffy texture and a burst of fruity strawberry flavor, perfect for celebrating love and friendship. These baked donuts feature a light strawberry glaze made with freeze-dried strawberries for a vibrant color and taste, topped with optional festive decorations like heart-shaped sprinkles or mini chocolate chips. Ideal for breakfast or an afternoon treat, they are easy to make and create a cheerful, inviting presentation.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Donuts:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Strawberry Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries, crushed into powder
2–3 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired glaze consistency)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Strawberry Drizzle:

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
1–2 teaspoons milk

Optional Decorations:

Mini heart sprinkles
Small chocolate chips

Instructions

Prepare the Donut Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently just until combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain light and fluffy donuts.
Bake the Donuts: Spoon the batter evenly into the donut pan cavities, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the donuts comes out clean. After baking, let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Make the Strawberry Glaze and Drizzle: In a medium bowl, whisk powdered sugar and crushed freeze-dried strawberries together for the glaze. Add vanilla extract and milk one tablespoon at a time until a smooth, thick glaze forms. Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze and place back on the wire rack lined with parchment paper. For the drizzle, mix powdered sugar, crushed freeze-dried strawberries, and milk to a thinner consistency, then drizzle over the glazed donuts using a spoon or piping bag. Add optional decorations like mini heart sprinkles or chocolate chips while the glaze is still wet.
Let the Donuts Set: Allow the glaze and drizzle to set for 15-20 minutes before serving to ensure they are firm and ready to enjoy.

Notes

Use fresh baking powder and baking soda to ensure proper rise and soft texture.
Measure flour carefully by spooning into the measuring cup and leveling off to avoid dense donuts.
Frozen strawberries are not recommended for the glaze due to excess moisture, but if necessary, thaw, dry thoroughly, and puree, expecting a thinner glaze.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; refrigerate for up to 5 days and bring to room temperature before serving.
If you do not have a donut pan, use a muffin pan or shape batter rounds on a baking sheet, adjusting baking time accordingly.
To make vegan donuts, substitute buttermilk with plant-based milk and vinegar, replace the egg with a flax egg, and use coconut or vegan butter.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: valentine's day donuts, strawberry donuts, baked donuts, strawberry glaze, sweet glaze, holiday donuts, soft donuts, dessert, breakfast treats