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Homemade Baked Lemon Donuts with Lemon Glaze photo

Baked Lemon Donuts with Lemon Glaze

Light baked lemon donuts made with Greek yogurt and finished with a simple lemon glaze.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cupgranulated sugar
  • 6 ouncesGreek yogurt I used 0% fat Fage, sour cream may be substituted
  • 1/4 cupcanola or vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoonlemon zest
  • 1 tablespoonlemon extract or to taste (not teaspoon; and not lemon oil and not lemon juice; see step 2 below for notes)
  • a few drops of yellow food coloring optional and as needed for desired shade
  • 1 1/4 cupsall-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoonbaking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoonbaking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoonsalt or to taste
  • 1 cupconfectioners’ sugar
  • 3 tablespoonslemon juice or as necessary for consistency

Equipment

  • 6-count nonstick donut pan
  • Mini muffin pan
  • cooking spray or grease
  • Large Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Small Bowl
  • Wire Rack
  • Cookie Scoop
  • zip-top bag (optional)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray one 6-count nonstick donut pan and one mini muffin pan (for donut holes) with cooking spray or grease them; set pans aside.
  2. In a large bowl whisk together 1 large egg and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until combined. Add 6 ounces Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon extract (measure 1 tablespoon — use lemon extract, not lemon juice or lemon oil), and a few drops of yellow food coloring if using. Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
  3. In a separate bowl combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold with a spatula or stir gently with a spoon until just combined. Do not overmix.
  4. Transfer batter to the prepared pans. Fill each donut cavity about 3/4 full. You can spoon batter directly into the pan or put batter into a large zip-top bag, seal, cut a corner, and pipe into the cavities. For the donut holes, use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop and fill each scoop with about 1 heaping tablespoon of batter before releasing into the mini muffin pan.
  5. Bake at 350°F for about 13 to 16 minutes, or until the donuts and donut holes are set and springy to the touch. Donut holes may finish slightly sooner (they were done at 14 minutes in the original test). Ovens vary, so check for doneness.
  6. Remove pans from the oven and allow the donuts and donut holes to cool in the pans for about 5 minutes. Then remove them from the pans and let them cool further on a wire rack or plate while you make the glaze. They can be glazed warm or at room temperature.
  7. To make the glaze: put 1 cup confectioners’ sugar in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle in 3 tablespoons lemon juice while whisking until smooth and the glaze reaches your desired consistency. You may adjust slightly (a little more lemon juice for thinner glaze, or a bit more confectioners’ sugar for thicker glaze) as needed.
  8. Dip the top of each donut and donut hole into the glaze, letting excess drip back into the bowl. Place glazed donuts on a wire rack or plate and allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Notes
Pan note:
Alternatively, use the pans you have available including mini donuts, full-size muffins, etc. and adjusting baking times accordingly.
Lemon extract substitutes:
Do NOT use lemon oil and lemon extract interchangeably because they’re not the same; oil is much more potent and intense. Don’t use lemon juice in place of lemon extract because it’s not flavorful enough and the acidity will alter the overall results.
Storage:
Donuts and donut holes are best warm and fresh but will keep airtight at room temp for up to 4 days.
Adapted from
The Best Lemon Loaf (Better-Than-Starbucks Copycat)
and
Banana Bread Donuts.