Description
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.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg