Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake Donuts {Dairy-Free Option}
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An easy recipe for Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake Donuts. These gluten-free donuts are soft and tender and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. The recipe also includes a dairy-free option.
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Gluten-Free Donuts
Baking homemade gluten-free donuts are super easy! All you need are a few simple ingredients and a donut pan. I bet you already have all the ingredients that you need to make these gluten-free vanilla donuts.
You can see just how easy it is to make gluten-free baked donuts in the recipe video.
Donuts are one of my husband’s favorite treats! So when I went gluten-free in 2010, it was one of the first recipes I modified to make gluten-free.
My family loves donuts so much that I make several flavors of gluten-free donuts. I have an easy gluten-free donuts recipe for chocolate cake donuts, apple cinnamon donuts, and pumpkin donuts.
Now, I am sharing my gluten-free vanilla cake donut recipe with you. It is my husband’s favorite flavor of donut I make.
How To Make Gluten-Free Vanilla Donuts
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spray a full-sized donut pan with gluten-free nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, brown sugar and whisk to combine the ingredients. (photo 1)
- Add the egg, butter, milk, and pure vanilla extract to the flour mixture and mix until fully combined. (photo 2 & 3)
- Add the batter to a large plastic storage bag or piping bag. Seal the bag and cut a corner (or tip if using a piping bag) off. (photo 4)
- Squeeze the bag carefully, filling the greased donut pan with batter. (photo 5)
- Bake for 10–12 minutes. (photo 6)
- Place the pan on a cooling rack and cool for 1 minute. Remove donuts from the pan and place them on the rack.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the glaze ingredients. (photo 7)
- Dip each warm donut into the glaze (then sprinkles) and place it on a plate or wire rack. (photo 8, 9 & 10)
- Serve warm. (photo 11)
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Tips For Making Gluten-Free Cake Donuts
Always spray your donut pan with gluten-free cooking spray. I like baking with gluten-free coconut oil cooking spray.
My trick for making gluten-free donuts easily is to put the donut batter into a large plastic storage bag, and then snip the end off and use it to pipe the batter into my greased donut pan.
I place the plastic bag inside a tall cup, corner down inside the cup and then fold the excess bag over the edges of the cup. Then I pour the batter into the plastic bag.
Trust me, it’s the easiest way to get the donut batter neatly into the donut pan. It also makes it easy to clean up too!
Do I Have To Use A Donut Pan?
I highly recommend that if you are going to make donuts that you buy a donut pan. I ordered one from Amazon, but I have seen them at Target, Walmart and craft stores in the baking aisle.
If you do not have a donut pan, you can use a muffin pan or a mini muffin pan. You will have to add more to the baking time depending on if you use a muffin or mini muffin pan. I would start with adding 2 minutes and add another 2 minutes until they are done.
Can I Freeze Donuts?
Yes, you can easily freeze baked donuts. There are two ways to freeze donuts.
If you are freezing donuts with the glaze, you will need to place the completely cooled donut on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for several hours until frozen.
Once frozen, remove the frozen donuts from the baking sheet and place them in a plastic freezer bag and back into the freezer. The donuts can be frozen up to three months.
If you are wanting to freeze the donuts before they are dipped into the glaze, just place the completely cooled donuts into a plastic freezer bag and into the freezer for up to 3 months.
The donuts can be easily defrosted in the refrigerator overnight or in the microwave if not glazed.
Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
My preferred brand of gluten-free flour is Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
I like baking with an all-purpose rice flour blend that is a cup for cup. A cup for cup rice flour blend is one that already has xanthan gum included.
Xanthan gum helps to replace the elasticity and texture of gluten. It makes gluten-free baking so much easier! Make sure not to add any extra xanthan gum to your flour if it already has it in it. If you do, you will get gummy donuts!
Tips For Measuring Gluten-Free Flour
I have found that the best way to measure gluten-free flour is to use the “spoon & level” method. Use a spoon to scoop the flour out of the bag into a measuring cup. After spooning the flour into a measuring cup, use the back of a knife to level the flour off the measuring cup.
Please do not use a measuring cup to scoop the flour directly out of the bag. If you do, you may get more flour than the recipe calls for.
This recipe will not work with almond or coconut flour.
Gluten-Free And Dairy-Free Vanilla Donuts
I have also included a dairy-free option for the gluten-free vanilla donuts recipe. There are three of us in my family that are also dairy-free (me included). So I always try and include a dairy-free option to my recipes.
For the dairy-free option for this recipe, I used Smart Balance butter and almond milk. So, now you too can enjoy a gluten-free and dairy-free vanilla donuts. I promise that they are just as delicious made with dairy-free butter and dairy-free milk.
Some of my favorite dairy-free alternatives that I like to bake with are unsweetened almond, cashew or coconut milk (beverage in cartons). If you can’t have nuts, you can also use soy milk.
I also like baking with coconut oil or Smart Balance butter.
What Gluten-Free Sprinkles Do You Recommend?
I get asked all of the time what brand of gluten-free sprinkles I use in my gluten-free baking. I buy most of my groceries at Walmart, so I usually buy their brand called Great Value or the Wilton brand sprinkles.
Please make sure to check the label of any sprinkles you buy. I check them every time because companies often change ingredients.
Easy Gluten-Free Donuts Recipe
This is an easy gluten-free recipe for baked cake donuts that can be made in just 20 minutes. These gluten-free donuts are perfect for breakfast, dessert or as a special treat!
I hope you enjoy these gluten-free vanilla donuts as much as my family does.
More Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes To Try!
- Easy Gluten-Free Pancakes {Dairy-Free & Vegan Option}
- Gluten-Free Buttermilk Biscuits {Dairy-Free Option}
- Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls {Dairy-Free Option}
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Gluten-Free Baked Vanilla Donuts {Dairy-Free Option}
Equipment
- donut pan
Ingredients
DONUTS
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose rice flour blend flour with xanthan gum, I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
- 1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, dairy-free use Smart Balance butter
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk, dairy-free use unsweetened almond, cashew or coconut milk
GLAZE
- 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons milk, dairy-free use unsweetened almond, cashew or coconut milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spray a full-sized donut pan with gluten-free nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, brown sugar and whisk to combine the ingredients.
- Add the egg, butter, milk, and pure vanilla extract to the flour mixture and mix until fully combined.
- Add the batter to a large plastic storage bag or piping bag. Seal the bag and cut a corner (or tip if using a piping bag) off.
- Squeeze the bag carefully, filling the greased donut pan with batter.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Place the pan on a cooling rack and cool for 1 minute. Remove donuts from the pan and place them on the rack.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the glaze ingredients. Dip each warm donut into the glaze and place on a plate or wire rack. Serve warm.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
- I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
- For the dairy-free option, I used Smart Balance butter and unsweetened almond milk.
- See the recipe post for freezing instructions.
- Mama says, "check all of your labels".
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I use maple syrup instead of the sugar?
Hi Sarah, Yes! The texture may be softer, and I’d reduce the liquid slightly. When using ½ cup of maple syrup as a sweetener, reduce the milk by 2 tbsp, so you’d only put in 6 tbsp.
I made these for my nephew who is gluten free and dairy free and he loved them. Thank you for this recipe and I’m already making them again 🙂
I wonder if the egg can be substitute it with flax egg. The person that I’m making the donuts for can’t have gluten or eggs.
Hi, We haven’t tried but another reader used applesauce and had success.
my kids are allergic to egg so I actually use mashed banana as a substitute. 1/4 cup mashed banana = 1 egg
These donuts are amazing. How long do they last at room temperature in an airtight container? Thanks!
Hi Stephanie, About 4-5 days if they last that long 🙂
Haven’t made these yet but I’m wondering if I can use country crock or I can’t believe it a not butter instead of the smart balance that is mentioned in your recipe or unsalted butter?
Hi Kim, Yes that should be fine!
Absolutely fantastic made these for the first time… sooooo gooood…yummers!!!!
wow these are amazing!!! we did a chocolate frosting and they were so good. By far the best recipe for GF donuts.
Sounds so good!
Very nice indeed! Light and fluffy, nicely risen. Glazed some with lemon juice Icing, chocolate, & cinnamon/sugar. Thank you for sharing your great recipe.
Can you use regular self rising flour if you are only dairy free? I know to use dairy free butter and we use oat milk. Thank you
Hi Toni, we have not tested this recipe with a traditional wheat-based flour.
I used regular flour with this recipe and it worked great, the gluten free still tasted better though.
I make these often but find they turn really moist and quick? I can’t seem to make them last an extra day. wet and sticky kind of/moist. I tried lessening the liquid too. any ideas?
Hi Jen, we recommend storing in a cool, dry place. They will only last 1-2 days at room temp.