The Best Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe for Morning Joy

Rich, tender blueberry cake donuts represent the ultimate breakfast indulgence for sweet-loving souls.

Soft and pillowy textures promise a delightful morning treat that redefines ordinary moments into culinary celebrations.

Bursting with vibrant flavor, these donuts capture the essence of homemade comfort and nostalgic baking traditions.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance between cakey consistency and fruity freshness that feels both familiar and exciting.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this straightforward recipe with confidence and creativity.

Weekend brunch enthusiasts and dessert lovers will appreciate the simple yet sophisticated approach to crafting these irresistible pastries.

Blueberry Cake Donuts for Breakfast or Dessert

• Burst of Blueberry Flavor: Dried blueberries rehydrated in boiling water create intense, concentrated fruity bursts that elevate the donut's taste profile with natural sweetness and vibrant berry essence.
• Master Homemade Frying Technique: Learn precise temperature control and frying methods that transform simple ingredients into perfectly golden, crispy-exterior donuts with soft, tender interiors that rival professional bakery quality.
• Quick Weekend Baking Adventure: Surprisingly manageable recipe that transforms an ordinary morning into a delightful culinary experience, offering a fun cooking project for home bakers of moderate skill levels who want to impress family and friends with fresh, warm donuts.
• Customizable Glaze Elegance: Simple vanilla glaze provides a versatile finishing touch that can be easily adapted with different extracts, spices, or even food coloring to match personal preferences or special occasions.

What You’ll Need for Blueberry Cake Donuts

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic baking flour with perfect protein content for tender donuts.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent that helps donuts rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness in the donut.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a tender, moist texture.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and ensures a soft, delicate crumb in the donuts.
• Egg Yolks: Contribute richness, color, and help bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet flavor that complements the blueberries.

• Dried Blueberries: Concentrated fruit pieces that provide intense blueberry flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze with a glossy finish.
• Milk: Helps create a silky, pourable glaze consistency.

• Canola Oil or Vegetable Oil: Neutral-flavored oil perfect for deep frying at high temperatures.

Steps to Make Tender Cake Donuts at Home

Step 1: Prepare Blueberry Softening

• Chop dried blueberries into small pieces
• Place blueberries in a bowl
• Pour boiling water over blueberries
• Let sit for 5 minutes until soft
• Drain water using a fine mesh sieve

Step 2: Create Donut Batter Base

• Melt butter in a mixing bowl
• Beat sugar into butter until fluffy
• Add sour cream
• Incorporate egg yolks
• Mix in vanilla extract
• Stir until ingredients are well combined

Step 3: Blend Dry Ingredients

• Sift flour into the wet mixture
• Add baking powder
• Sprinkle in salt
• Mix until flour is mostly incorporated
• Gently fold in softened blueberries
• Ensure no flour streaks remain

Step 4: Chill Donut Dough

• Transfer dough onto plastic wrap
• Flatten to 1-2 inches thick
• Wrap tightly
• Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or up to 24 hours

Step 5: Roll and Shape Donuts

• Lightly dust work surface with flour
• Roll chilled dough to 1 inch thickness
• Use 3-4 inch round cutter for donut shape
• Cut 1-inch center hole
• Collect and re-roll dough scraps
• Limit re-rolling to two times

Step 6: Heat Frying Oil

• Select neutral oil like canola or vegetable
• Pour 3-4 inches of oil into medium pot
• Heat to 375°F
• Use candy or fry thermometer for accuracy

Step 7: Fry Donuts to Golden Perfection

• Carefully place 2-3 donuts in hot oil
• Cook first side for 1½ minutes
• Flip donuts
• Fry second side for 1-1½ minutes
• Look for golden brown color
• Remove and place on cooling rack
• Check internal doneness

Step 8: Create Smooth Glaze

• Heat milk in small pot until steaming
• Gradually whisk in powdered sugar
• Stir until smooth and fluid
• Add vanilla extract
• Ensure consistent texture

Step 9: Glaze and Finish

• Dip each donut into glaze
• Coat both sides completely
• Allow excess glaze to drip off
• Place glazed donuts on cooling rack
• Let glaze set before serving

Tricks to Make Them Extra Moist

• Rehydrate Blueberries Perfectly: Soak dried blueberries in boiling water to plump them up and intensify their flavor, ensuring juicy bursts in every bite.
• Prevent Dough Toughness: Handle the dough minimally when re-rolling, as excessive manipulation can develop gluten and create dense, chewy donuts.
• Master Oil Temperature: Keep the oil consistently at 375°F for even cooking, using a reliable thermometer to avoid burnt exteriors and raw centers.
• Create Uniform Donuts: Use sharp, clean cutters and press straight down when cutting to ensure clean edges and consistent donut shapes.
• Achieve Smooth Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar gradually into warm milk to create a silky, lump-free glaze that clings beautifully to the donuts.

Tips on How to Store and Enjoy Later

• Refrigeration: Store leftover donuts in an airtight container with a paper towel layer to absorb moisture, keeping them fresh for 2-3 days.
• Freezing: Wrap individual donuts in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and store for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Reheating: Warm donuts in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and soft interior. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent sogginess.

Coffee and Fruits to Pair with Blueberry Donuts

• Brew Blueberry Tea Delight: Pair these donuts with a hot, freshly brewed blueberry tea that echoes the fruity flavor of the cake donuts, creating a harmonious taste experience.
• Creamy Vanilla Latte Match: Complement the rich, sweet donuts with a smooth vanilla latte, whose creamy notes will balance the donut's crisp texture and enhance its subtle blueberry essence.
• Craft Cream Cheese Drizzle: Prepare a light cream cheese glaze to drizzle over the donuts, adding an extra layer of tangy richness that perfectly amplifies the blueberry's natural sweetness.
• Chill Lavender Milk Fusion: Serve a chilled lavender-infused milk alongside the donuts, offering a delicate floral undertone that beautifully intertwines with the blueberry's fruity profile.

New Mix-Ins to Try with This Donut Base

• Berry Blast Donuts: Replace dried blueberries with fresh raspberries and add a hint of lemon zest for a tangy kick.
• Nutty Blueberry Rings: Mix chopped almonds into the dough and sprinkle crushed pistachios over the glaze for extra crunch.
• Chocolate Blueberry Dream: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the glazed donuts and scatter fresh blueberries on top for a decadent touch.
• Spiced Blueberry Rounds: Incorporate ground cinnamon and nutmeg into the dough, then dust with powdered sugar instead of using glaze.

Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade blueberry cake donuts blend classic American bakery charm with fresh, juicy berries. Pillowy dough kissed with sweet blueberry essence offers a delightful morning treat you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 ¼ cups (370 grams) cake flour (or 315 grams all-purpose flour + 55 grams cornstarch)
• ⅔ cup (132 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (80 grams) dried blueberries
• 2 large egg yolks

Wet Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons (42 grams) butter, melted
• ⅔ cup (160 grams) sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

Dry and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Glaze:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

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Instructions

1. Rehydrate dried blueberries by submerging them in boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain thoroughly using a fine mesh sieve.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then incorporate sour cream, egg yolks, and vanilla extract into the mixture.
3. Gradually fold in flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until just combined, ensuring no dry flour remains visible.
4. Gently fold rehydrated blueberries into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
5. Transfer dough onto plastic wrap, flatten to approximately 1-2 inches thick, and wrap tightly. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to firm up.
6. Prepare a lightly floured work surface and roll out chilled dough to a 1-inch thickness.
7. Use a 3-4 inch circular cutter to shape donuts, and a 1-inch cutter to remove centers, creating the classic donut shape.
8. Carefully collect and re-roll dough scraps, cutting additional donuts. Limit re-rolling to prevent tough texture.
9. Heat neutral oil in a medium pot to 375°F, monitoring temperature with a candy thermometer for consistent cooking.
10. Carefully lower 2-3 donuts into hot oil, frying for 1 1/2 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown color.
11. Transfer fried donuts to a wire rack positioned over a baking sheet, allowing excess oil to drip away.
12. Prepare glaze by warming milk until steaming, then gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth and glossy.
13. Add vanilla extract to the glaze, stirring until fully incorporated.
14. Dip each donut into the glaze, ensuring complete coverage, and allow excess to drip off before placing on the cooling rack.

Notes

• Rehydrate dried blueberries with boiling water to soften and plump them up, enhancing their texture and flavor in the donuts.
• Chill the dough for at least one hour to help it firm up, making it easier to roll and cut into perfect donut shapes.
• Use a candy or fry thermometer to maintain the exact oil temperature of 375°F, ensuring golden-brown, crispy donuts without burning.
• Limit re-rolling dough scraps to twice to prevent tough, dense donuts that lack the desired light and fluffy texture.
• Create a smooth, pourable glaze by gradually whisking powdered sugar into warm milk, ensuring no lumps for a perfect coating.
• Allow glazed donuts to rest on a cooling rack, letting excess glaze drip off and create a clean, professional-looking finish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 344
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 245 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg