Summer afternoons call for a sweet and zesty lemon sugar baked donuts that dance on your palate with bright, tangy notes.
These golden delights emerge from the oven with a delicate, sun-kissed crumb that melts effortlessly in your mouth.
Soft and tender, each donut boasts a vibrant citrus essence that cuts through the sugary sweetness.
The simple recipe promises a delightful treat without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
Every bite delivers a perfect balance of lemony brightness and sugary comfort.
Light, fluffy, and incredibly simple to make, these donuts will become your new go-to summer dessert.
Grab your apron and get ready to bake a batch of pure happiness that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Calories: 160 kcal
Servings: 13
Ingredients for Lemon Sugar Baked Donuts
For Dry Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundation for tender, soft donuts with a delicate crumb.
Cornstarch: Helps create a lighter texture and prevents toughness in the final baked treat.
Baking Powder: Ensures fluffy, well-risen donuts with a perfect lift and airy consistency.
Salt: Enhances and balances the sweet flavor profile of the donuts.
For Wet Ingredients:
Buttermilk: Adds rich tangy flavor and helps create a moist, tender texture in the donuts.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the donuts' rich, smooth structure.
Melted Butter: Brings deep, buttery richness and helps create a soft, delectable crumb.
Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, aromatic depth to complement the bright lemon notes.
Lemon Juice: Delivers a fresh, zesty brightness and helps activate the baking powder.
For Coating and Finishing:
Granulated Sugar, Lemon Zest: Creates a vibrant, citrusy sweet coating that adds extra flavor and texture to the donuts.
Additional Melted Butter: Helps the sugar mixture adhere and adds an extra layer of richness.
Baking Tools for Lemon Sugar Donut Success
Donut Pans: Two 6-cavity nonstick pans for perfectly shaped donuts.
Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious bowl for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
Whisk: Essential for blending ingredients without lumps.
Food Processor: Quick tool for grinding sugar and lemon zest finely.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for ingredient accuracy.
Spatula: Helpful for scraping batter and gentle mixing.
Wire Cooling Rack: Allows donuts to cool evenly without getting soggy.
Small Bowl: For melted butter dipping.
Bake These Lemon Sugar Donuts in Steps
Kitchen Preparation Gather all your baking tools and clear a clean workspace on your kitchen counter.
Dry Ingredient Mixture In a roomy mixing bowl, blend the flour and other dry components until they're perfectly combined with no lumpy spots.
Wet Ingredient Fusion Gently pour the liquid elements into your dry mix, stirring carefully to create a smooth, silky batter with bright lemon undertones.
Donut Pan Magic Carefully pour the batter into special round molds, making sure each cavity gets an even amount of delicious mixture.
Oven Transformation Place the filled pan into a preheated oven and watch the magic happen as golden circles start to rise and develop a gorgeous sunny color.
Cooling Moment Let the fresh donuts rest for a few minutes, allowing them to settle and become perfectly structured.
Flavor Explosion Dip each warm donut into melted butter, then roll in a sparkling sugar and zest coating that adds a burst of citrusy excitement.
Flavor Tweaks for Lemon Sugar Donuts
Creative twists and pro tips to elevate this delightful lemon treat
Experiment with different sugar varieties like raw turbinado or powdered sugar for unique textures and flavor profiles.
Add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter or sprinkle additional zest on top of the coated donuts for a more pronounced citrus punch.
Prepare the donuts a day in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Refresh the coating just before serving to maintain that fresh, crisp texture.
Replace the sugar coating with a tangy lemon glaze by mixing powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and a splash of heavy cream for a glossy, drizzled finish.
Serve Lemon Sugar Donuts the Sweet Way
Brunch Brilliance: Pair these zesty lemon donuts with a fresh cup of earl grey tea for a delightful morning treat.
Dessert Companion: Serve alongside a small scoop of lemon sorbet to enhance the citrusy flavor profile and create a refreshing combination.
Party Presentation: Arrange donuts on a beautiful platter with fresh mint leaves and a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant and Instagram-worthy display.
Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: Create a mini donut station with these lemon sugar treats next to a chilled glass of sparkling prosecco for a sophisticated snack moment.
Keep Lemon Sugar Donuts Fresh
Refrigerate and Refresh: Store donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving to restore their delightful softness.
Freeze for Later: Wrap individual donuts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for a quick sweet treat anytime.
Quick Revive Trick: Warm donuts briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their just-baked texture and bring back that fresh-from-the-oven warmth.
Smart Prep Strategy: Make the batter ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, ensuring maximum convenience and flavor when you're ready to bake.
Homemade lemon sugar baked donuts deliver a zesty sunshine-inspired treat perfect for morning indulgence. Sweet citrus notes and delicate crumb make these pastries a delightful companion for morning coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
2 eggs
0.75 cup (180 ml) sugar
1.75 cups (420 ml) all-purpose flour
0.75 cup (180 ml) buttermilk
0.25 cup (60 ml) cornstarch
8 tbsps butter, melted
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
0.5 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp freshly-squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp grated lemon zest
0.5 cup (120 ml) sugar
4 tsp grated lemon zest
Instructions
Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 425°F. Thoroughly spray two 6-cavity donut pans with nonstick cooking spray for complete coverage.
Dry Ingredients: Whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl until fully integrated.
Wet Mixture: Blend buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth and homogeneous, creating a light, fragrant batter.
Filling and Baking: Evenly distribute batter into donut pans, filling each cavity two-thirds full. Bake for 7-9 minutes until donuts turn golden and develop a delicate spring when touched.
Cooling Process: Allow donuts to rest in pans for 5 minutes, then carefully extract and transfer to a preparation surface.
Sugar Coating: Pulse granulated sugar and lemon zest in a food processor until transformed into a fine, aromatic powder. Dip warm donuts in melted butter, then generously coat with lemon sugar mixture.
Finishing Touch: Place coated donuts on a wire rack, allowing excess butter and sugar to drip, creating a crisp, glossy exterior with vibrant citrus notes.
Notes
Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, sugar, and other ingredients to ensure consistent texture and flavor in every batch.
Avoid Overmixing: Stir the batter gently until just combined to prevent tough, dense donuts with a rubbery texture.
Check Doneness Carefully: Watch donuts closely during baking, as they can quickly go from perfectly golden to overdone in just a minute.
Coat Immediately: Dip donuts in butter and sugar while still warm to help the coating adhere better and create a more intense flavor profile.
Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.
Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.
Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.
Mia Reynolds
Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist
Expertise
Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners
Education
New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont
Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont
Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.
Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.