Sprinkle Donuts Recipe

There’s something absolutely magical about biting into a homemade Sprinkle Donut: soft, fluffy, and crowned with a cheerful burst of colorful sprinkles. Whether it’s a special morning treat or a spontaneous afternoon pick-me-up, these donuts promise pure joy in every vibrant bite—plus, they’re baked (not fried), so you can indulge without the mess!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of familiar kitchen staples for these irresistible Sprinkle Donuts. Each ingredient works its magic—delivering that ultra-soft crumb, golden color, and that signature bakery-style taste. Let’s break down why each one belongs in the bowl!

• All-purpose flour: This is the backbone of your donut’s structure, keeping each bite fluffy and tender.
• Baking powder: It’s the secret to those perfectly risen, bakery-worthy donuts.
• Salt: Just a pinch boosts every sweet, buttery flavor so the donuts don’t taste flat.
• Large egg: Adds richness and binds the ingredients for a soft, cohesive crumb.
• Clear vanilla extract: Use clear for the brightest donut color, but regular vanilla works wonders for flavor if that’s what you have!
• Granulated sugar: For sweetness, and a melt-in-your-mouth crumb that’s impossible to resist.
• Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt: Don’t skip this! It adds unbeatable moisture and a subtle tang that’s totally craveable.
• Unsalted butter, melted: Rich, buttery flavor in every bite—make sure it’s fully melted for even mixing.
• Vegetable oil: Helps keep your donuts incredibly soft and prevents dryness.
• Sprinkles: The fun factor! Fold them in for pockets of color and crispy sweetness throughout your donuts.
• Powdered sugar (for glaze): Whipped into a glossy, sweet glaze that hardens perfectly for bite-after-bite donut bliss.
• Milk (for glaze): Transforms the powdered sugar into a dreamy, pourable frosting.
• Extra sprinkles (for topping): Because there’s no such thing as too many sprinkles when making Sprinkle Donuts!

Variations

These homemade Sprinkle Donuts are totally adaptable, so go wild with flavors, colors, or special diets—there’s a variation for everyone, and every occasion!

• Chocolate Lover’s Glaze: Swap out half the powdered sugar glaze for cocoa powder, or dip the donuts in melted chocolate before sprinkling.
• Gluten-Free Treats: Use your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and enjoy Sprinkle Donuts everyone can savor.
• Non-Dairy Delight: Use plant-based milk in the glaze and dairy-free yogurt in the batter for a donut that’s totally vegan-friendly.
• Seasonal Sprinkles: Shake things up with themed sprinkles—think pinks for Valentine’s, pastels for spring, or spooky colors for Halloween fun!

How to Make Sprinkle Donuts

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Doing this first ensures that each donut rises beautifully and has a uniform texture—no clumpy surprises!

Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg, clear vanilla, granulated sugar, sour cream (or yogurt), melted butter, and vegetable oil. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture’s smooth and glossy. This is what gives every Sprinkle Donut its dreamy moistness.

Step 3: Combine & Fold in Sprinkles

Slowly add your dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring with a rubber spatula just until combined. Gently fold in the sprinkles—don’t overmix, as it can make the batter tough and mute those vibrant colors!

Step 4: Fill the Donut Pan

Transfer the thick batter into a piping bag (or use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off) and pipe it into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about halfway to three-quarters full for the perfect donut shape.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few moist crumbs. After a brief rest in the pan, pop them onto a wire rack to finish cooling—if you can resist snatching one warm, you have serious willpower!

Step 6: Glaze & Decorate

If you love a glossy finish, whisk powdered sugar and milk to make your glaze, then drizzle or dunk each donut. Before the glaze sets, shower more sprinkles over the top. It’s the finishing spectacular touch your Sprinkle Donuts deserve!

How to Serve Sprinkle Donuts

Garnishes

Go big on the fun! After glazing, scatter a mix of rainbow, chocolate, or even themed sprinkles while the donuts are tacky. For a little bakery touch, add a dusting of edible glitter or a drizzle of colored icing alongside the classic Sprinkle Donuts sparkle.

Side Dishes

While these donuts steal the spotlight on their own, they’re even better alongside a big mug of coffee, a cold glass of milk, or with a gorgeous fruit salad. For brunch spreads, pile up Sprinkle Donuts on a cake stand next to fresh berries and breakfast casseroles.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange a stack of Sprinkle Donuts on a pastel plate for birthday mornings, create a donut tower for parties, or pop each donut on a stick for a sprinkle “lollipop” treat! These also make adorable gifts when boxed up with ribbon for friends or classmates.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover Sprinkle Donuts soft and fresh by placing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for up to 2 days, retaining that tender crumb and vibrant glaze until you’re ready to enjoy another sweet bite.

Freezing

Want to enjoy Sprinkle Donuts way beyond baking day? Let them cool completely, then freeze them (unglazed works best) in a single layer. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months—simply defrost and glaze when cravings strike!

Reheating

To bring your donuts back to life, pop them in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a low oven until just warmed through. If glazed, keep an eye so the topping softens but doesn’t melt away entirely—fresh-from-the-oven Sprinkle Donuts in a flash!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

These Sprinkle Donuts are more than just a sweet treat—they’re little circles of happiness you can whip up in under half an hour! I hope you’ll gather your favorite sprinkles and dive in. There’s simply nothing like the magic of fresh, homemade donuts brightening your day. Happy baking, friends!

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