Frosted cake mix donuts? Oh yes!
These frosted cake mix donuts are a game changer for me. They’re delicious, easy to make, and give you plenty of options for either breakfast or dessert.
I highly recommend reading this entire post before you begin preparing the recipe. However, if all you want is the list of ingredients with full directions, please either click on the jump-to-recipe button above or scroll to the bottom of this post.
Regular or Gluten-Free Baked Donuts in Your Favorite Flavors
When you eat these delicious donuts, you’ll think you’re eating birthday cake. Mmm, so good!I’ve had to follow a gluten-free diet for many years, so I haven’t been able to eat regular donuts in a while. Although I never ate a lot of them, I enjoyed a donut … or two, once in a while.
And they were always easy to find. Not only were they at the donut shop down the street, but they were also in most grocery stores.However, those donuts are all filled with something I can’t have—gluten. It’s so disheartening to see people enjoy whatever they want, while I have to walk past racks of deliciousness.
And of course, you know that when you can’t have something it makes you want it more. At least, that’s how it is with me.On occasion, I’ve made some decent gluten-free donuts from scratch, but they’re a lot of trouble. For that reason, I didn’t make them often. Then I discovered baked donuts made from cake mix. I was blown away by how much easier it was to make these delicious little ring-shaped treats.
To make matters even better, they can be made in any flavor you want. In addition to these made with yellow cake mix, you can use chocolate. Or you can add your favorite flavors to the yellow cake mix (like strawberry) to add even more deliciousness. You can also use whatever frosting or glaze you want. And you can even use store-bought frosting if you don’t have time to make it from scratch!
Frosted Cake Mix Donuts Ingredients
Based on the name of this recipe, you’ve probably figured out one of the ingredients. It’s in the title.
Here’s a complete list of the ingredients you’ll need for the actual donut:
- Cake mix
- Egg
- Water
- Cooking oil
If you want to frost the donut, which is the best way to eat them, you’ll also need frosting. You can either make it from scratch or buy it ready-made, which is what I do.
For exact measurements of each ingredient and full directions, go to the recipe card at the bottom of the page. You can even print out the card by using the “print” button.
How to Make Frosted Cake Mix Donuts
Any time I bake, I start out by preheating my oven. For these donuts, you’ll need to set the temperature at 350 degrees F. Next, I spray a donut pan with nonstick cooking spray. Not only does this help the donuts release more easily, but also it’s easier to clean later.
In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat the egg. Add the water and oil and whisk until all of the wet ingredients are well mixed.
Then, add the entire box of cake mix. Whisk again until there are no lumps in the batter.
Now you have to make a decision. You can either use a plastic bag to pipe the batter into the pan, or you can use a spoon. If you use the plastic bag method, pour the batter into the bag. Then snip the corner to make a hole big enough for the batter to come out.
Although this makes it easier to control the batter, I only did this for the first batch of six donuts. I used the spoon method for the second batch. Now, stick the filled donut pan in the oven and set the timer for 14 minutes. Go do whatever you want until the dinger goes off.
Remove the donut pan and cool the donuts for a few minutes.
Frosting Your Donuts
While they’re cooling, get the frosting ready. You can heat it in a saucepan on the stove or put it in a bowl and microwave it until it melts. Give it a good stir. Remove the donuts from the pan and place them on a cooling rack.
One by one, dip the tops of the donuts in the frosting. If you accidentally break one, go ahead and eat it to destroy the evidence. At least, that’s what I did.
And then place them frosting side up on the cooling rack. You can leave them as-is or add some color and texture with sprinkles.
Decorate them for any special occasion or holiday for an extra festive treat.
More Recipes
There are so many different desserts you can make with cake mixes. If you like apples, try making this delicious 2-ingredient apple cake.
Another fruit-flavored cake mix dessert is this 2-ingredient cherry chocolate cake. It’s dense, rich, and absolutely delicious!
Since I’m a big fan of anything that’s peach flavored, I enjoy this 2-ingredient peach cake. You can decorate all of these cakes the way I do or try something different.
If you like to make donuts from scratch, you’ll love these chocolate mini donuts from Miz Helen’s Country cottage. Everything she makes is absolutely delicious!
We also love any kind of ice cream at our house, but I gave up my ice cream maker years ago. That’s because I ran out of space with all of my other kitchen gadgets.
So I’ve learned to make a variety of flavors without using the machine. My current favorite flavor is this no-churn mint chocolate chip ice cream. But this can change at any time, depending on my mood.
My granddaughters like this no-churn cinnamon pecan ice cream, while my husband prefers this no-churn strawberry ice cream. You really can’t go wrong with any of them.
Questions About Homemade Donuts
Here are some answers to questions you may have about donuts.
Is Donut Mix the Same as Cake Mix?
Donut mix that you find in the grocery store has some of the same ingredients as cake mix. However, there are a few differences in the amount of each ingredient.
Where Can I Buy Donut Mix?
Amazon and other online retailers have several varieties of donut mix. Also, many grocery stores carry it in their baking aisle.
Are Cake Mix Donuts Good for You?
Cake mix donuts are as good for you as cake. In other words, the biggest benefits are that they taste good and make you happy. This makes them ideal for any type of celebration.
Frosted Cake Mix Donuts
These easy donuts only require a few ingredients!
Ingredients
- 1 box of yellow cake mix (15 or 16 ounce size)
- 1 cup of water
- 1/4 cup of oil
- 1 egg
- 1 container of ready-made cream cheese or vanilla frosting
- Sprinkles or colorful candy pieces (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Put all of the ingredients in a medium-size mixing bowl and stir until they are well mixed.
- Scoop the mixture into a plastic zip lock bag and cut one of the corners off the bag. Or you can use a spoon if you prefer.
- Squeeze the mixture into the cavities of the donut pan until about 1/2 filled.
- Bake for 14 minutes or until the tops of the donuts have turned a light golden brown.
- Remove the donuts from the pan and place them on a cooling rack.
- Make the glaze by melting the ready-made frosting, either by putting it in a bowl and microwaving it for 15 seconds or heating it on medium-low on the stovetop for a couple of minutes.
- Dip the donuts into the glaze and place them back on the cooling rack.
- If you want sprinkles or candy pieces, add them now before the frosting dries.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 236Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 18mgSodium 338mgCarbohydrates 39gFiber 1gSugar 21gProtein 2g
The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.
Miz Helen
Tuesday 29th of September 2020
Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday,503. Sure hope to see you again soon! Miz Helen
Carlee
Monday 21st of September 2020
These are so much fun! With my sprinkle collection I could easily customize them for every occasion too! 🤩