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Red Velvet Donuts
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Red Velvet Donuts

The most moist donuts with a perfect note of chocolate to complement the cream cheese glaze.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 161kcal
Author John Kanell

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS

For the Donuts:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour 119g
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk 113g
  • 3 tablespoons butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 4 drops red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

  • 3 ounces cream cheese 90g, soft, room temp
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter soft, room temp
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar sifted
  • 4 tablespoons milk

Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS

    For the Donuts:

    • Preheat to 350 degrees F.
    • Butter a donut pan. 
    • Whisk the dry ingredients.
    • In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla, and egg. Fold the wet mixture into the dry mixture.
    • Add drops of red food coloring and mix until you reach a desired color.
    • Transfer batter to a piping bag. Snip off the tip. 
    • Bake for 10 minutes. Test with a toothpick.
    • Let the donuts cool on a wire rack.

    For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

    • In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together cream cheese and vanilla until smooth.
    • Add in sifted confectioners sugar and milk. Add milk until you reach a desired consistency. 
    • Beat for about 5 minutes.
    • Dip donuts into frosting. 
    • Sprinkle leftover crumbs onto glaze.

    Video

    Notes

    • If you don't use any food coloring they end up a dusty brownish pink with is beautiful in its own way but not in a way that photographs well... I had a bit of extra batter so I made a couple cupcakes and sacrificed one to crumble to a bit of contrast on top.
    • You can play around with the thickness of your glaze by adding milk slowly until you're pleased with the consistency. It will vary slightly based on how you pack your sugar, ambient humidity etc.
    • This glaze is amazing on basically everything so try it on your next bundt or pound cake.
     
    Adapted from https://bakerbynature.com/red-velvet-donuts/

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1donut | Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2.5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 1.1mg