Description
Sweet red velvet donuts showcase rich cocoa and crimson charm, delivering Southern dessert magic straight to hungry hearts. Silky cream cheese frosting crowns these irresistible pastries, tempting you with each heavenly bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon red food coloring
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Frosting Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish:
- Mini heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the foundational dry elements by combining flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring thorough integration of the powdery components.
- Whisk together the liquid ingredients in a separate container, blending buttermilk, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until achieving a uniform, vibrant crimson mixture.
- Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring minimally to prevent gluten development, creating a smooth batter with a rich, velvety texture.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat a donut pan with non-stick spray to ensure easy release of the delicate pastries.
- Transfer the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity approximately two-thirds full, allowing room for the donuts to rise and maintain a perfect shape.
- Bake the donuts for 10-12 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that should emerge clean when the pastries are fully cooked.
- Allow the donuts to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to prevent further cooking and maintain their tender consistency.
- Cream together softened cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl until achieving a smooth, lump-free consistency.
- Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract, whipping until the frosting reaches a luxurious, spreadable texture.
- Once the donuts have completely cooled, generously cover them with the cream cheese frosting, using either a spatula or piping bag for precision.
- Embellish the frosted donuts with delicate mini heart sprinkles, adding a playful and festive finishing touch to these decadent red velvet treats.
Notes
- Precisely measure dry ingredients to ensure consistent donut texture and prevent dense or crumbly results.
- Achieve vibrant red color by using gel food coloring instead of liquid, which provides more intense pigmentation without altering batter consistency.
- Cool donuts completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure smooth cream cheese application.
- Modify recipe for gluten-free diets by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining similar structure and taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 195
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg