Description
Indulge in these delightful Red Velvet Cake Donuts topped with creamy, smooth cream cheese icing. Soft, moist, and perfectly balanced with a hint of cocoa and vibrant red color, these donuts are baked to perfection for a treat that’s both delicious and visually stunning. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, they combine classic red velvet flavors with the convenience of donuts.
Ingredients
Donuts
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil (or other neutral oil)
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- ⅓ cup Lifeway Plain Lowfat Kefir
- ¼-½ teaspoon red food coloring (gel or liquid)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (weighed in grams or spooned and leveled)
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons hot water
Cream Cheese Icing
- 2 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk (adjust to preferred consistency)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan thoroughly with non-stick spray to ensure the donuts do not stick during baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, egg, Lifeway Plain Lowfat Kefir, and red food coloring until the mixture is smooth and uniform in color.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, sift and whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and cocoa.
- Mix Batter: Gently incorporate half of the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully. Add the hot water and continue to stir just until all ingredients are combined; avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
- Fill Donut Pan and Bake: Pipe or spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes or until the donuts spring back when lightly pressed, indicating they are cooked through.
- Cool Donuts: Remove the donuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan briefly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring the icing will not melt upon application.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Icing: In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract and mix until you achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Ice Donuts and Garnish: Spread the cream cheese icing generously over the cooled donuts. For an optional festive touch, sprinkle each donut with colorful sprinkles while the icing is still soft.
Notes
- Using room temperature ingredients helps create a smoother batter and icing.
- Adjust red food coloring quantity for desired intensity of color; gel types usually have stronger pigmentation.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute kefir with a plant-based yogurt and use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives.
- Donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a richer texture, consider using whole milk kefir instead of lowfat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
