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    Home » Breakfast

    Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake Donuts {Dairy-Free Option}

    Published: Jan 30, 2020 · by Audrey

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    gluten-free vanilla donuts Pinterest pin 1

    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. 

    gluten-free vanilla donuts on a silver cooling rack

    This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    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.

    gluten-free vanilla donuts recipe steps 1-6 photo collage

    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.

    gluten-free vanilla donuts recipe steps 7-11 photo collage

    • 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.

    gluten-free vanilla donuts with one donut with a bite out of it to show the texture

    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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    ★Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below in the comments!★

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    5 from 10 votes

    Gluten-Free Baked Vanilla Donuts {Dairy-Free Option}

    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. 

    Course Breakfast, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Keyword gluten-free baked donuts, gluten-free dairy-free donuts, gluten-free dairy-free vanilla donuts, gluten-free donuts, gluten-free vanilla donuts
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes
    Servings 12 donuts
    Calories 131kcal
    Author Audrey from Mama Knows Gluten Free

    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
    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
    • 1  large egg
    • 3  tablespoons unsalted butter, melted dairy-free use Smart Balance butter
    • 1  tablespoon pure vanilla extract
    • ½ cup milk dairy-free use unsweetened almond, cashew or coconut milk

    GLAZE

    • 1 ¼ 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.

    Video

    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

    Serving: 1donut | Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 86mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 129IU | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Did you enjoy this recipe? Please give it a star rating below in the comments. Thank you!
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    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Share a recipe pic with me and mention @MamaKnowsGlutenFree and use the tag #mamaknowsglutenfree!
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    © MAMA KNOWS GLUTEN FREE. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please link back to this post for the recipe.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren says

      January 16, 2023 at 10:33 pm

      I want to make this and wanted to double check that I use 1 cup philsbery gluten. free all purpose flour and 1 cup of all purpose rice flour for this recipe. sorry was a little confused and just starting to cook GF.

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 17, 2023 at 9:28 am

        Hi Lauren! I am happy to help. You will should use an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. The recipe uses 1 cup of gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum. I bake with the Pillsbury gluten-free flour. I order it from Walmart. Please let me know if I can help you in nay way.

        Reply
    2. Ash says

      June 08, 2022 at 11:33 pm

      Amazing !!!

      Reply
    3. Grammabiker says

      May 22, 2022 at 10:24 am

      I have made this 3 times now. And still came out amazing had to alter the topping. Recipe does not have enough liquid for topping always have to add more milk. But they are amazing we tried orange extract. Lemon and it was outstanding thank you.

      Reply
    4. L says

      May 08, 2022 at 12:08 pm

      These were so good! My kids devoured them (and they don’t have celiac’s either). Super easy to follow recipe and video. I used pillsbury flour and they came out perfectly. Highly recommend! Our new go-to Sunday morning treat for breakfast. Thank you.

      Reply
    5. Debbie Reeves says

      March 17, 2022 at 7:16 am

      These donuts are absolutely delicious. I followed the recipe exactly and used the dairy free options provided (almond milk). My family also has an egg allergy so we used 1/4 cup applesauce in place of the egg. Couldn’t have been more pleased. I highly recommend trying them when they are warm. Thank you!

      Reply
    6. C says

      February 11, 2022 at 8:02 pm

      Fabulous! Even all the non-gluten free in the family devoured these. Thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
    7. Kstutes says

      January 01, 2022 at 12:46 pm

      Fantastic recipe! I added 1/3 cup of special dark cocoa to convert this into chocolate donuts as well. I added an extra TBS of butter and 1/4 cup of milk to compensate for the dry mixture.

      Reply
    8. Amy Southerland says

      July 17, 2021 at 1:23 pm

      Your recipes are amazing. Thank you for doing this work for our community. We appreciate you.💜

      Reply
    9. Angie says

      July 13, 2021 at 2:53 pm

      Absolutely excellent. Delicious and fluffy! Very excited to try more of your recipes.

      Reply
    10. Davy T says

      August 31, 2020 at 12:20 am

      These donuts are amazing! They’re light and fluffy. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe. Mama does know best!

      Reply
    11. Laurie says

      July 10, 2020 at 6:54 pm

      Made these today they were soft, light and sweet. So good thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    12. Leslie says

      July 06, 2020 at 8:05 pm

      Wonderful recipe

      Reply

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    Audrey Roberts in a white kitchen for a profile photo

    I'm Audrey Roberts, a busy mama of four and I love sharing the recipes that I make for my family. I make gluten-free family-friendly recipes that are simple and delicious that you can too! I use easy to find ingredients that won't break your budget. You will also find dairy-free options and Paleo recipes. I am also the author of  The Everything Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cookbook, which is an Amazon Best Selling Cookbook in the US and Internationally. Living gluten-free since 2010. I hope by me sharing my journey it may help you with yours.  Read More…

     

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