Easy Baked Donut Recipe without Yeast

4.41 from 30 votes

on Mar 23, 2021, Updated Feb 09, 2024

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Our baked donut recipe without yeast is simple and delicious and you won’t even need a doughnut cutter or rolling pin.

It’s no secret that we love donuts around here whether they are baked, fried, or donut holes from a doughnut shop like Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts or a local shop like Rise here in Raleigh.

If you want to learn how to make homemade donuts, you are in luck. This recipe is so easy and only uses 4 ingredients before toppings!

Will you make chocolate donuts? Or vanilla? Or something else entirely? This recipe is totally versatile so it’s up to you.

Top with chocolate glaze, frosting, cinnamon sugar or whatever your heart desires!

There is nothing like a fresh pan of hot donuts, no matter how you enjoy them.

Personally, I like to glaze the donuts first, then add chocolate ganache because I’m fancy like that!

Easy Cake Donut Ingredients

To make our baked donuts, this easy recipe calls for these four basic ingredients:

Cake mix (flavor of choice)
Melted butter (cooled)
Eggs rested to room temperature
Milk

Because these are cake doughnuts, you will also be using a donut pan.

If you don’t have one, this large silicone ring donut pan is a nice option.

How to make No Yeast Donuts in the Oven

After preheating your oven, gather your ingredients.

Making sure your melted butter has cooled off, whisk together the wet ingredients in a large bowl.

Add the cake mix to create a batter and transfer the donut dough to a piping bag. A large zipper bag with the corner cut off will also work.

Coat your donut pan with vegetable oil or spray and wipe off excess.

Then, pipe your batter into the pan filling about halfway.

Cook through until donuts have a light golden brown color and a toothpick inserted into the doughnut comes out clean.

If you are using a cinnamon sugar mixture, lightly brush with melted butter and coat while your fluffy donuts are still warm.

For all other toppings, use a wire rack or cooling rack to cool completely before adding glaze and/or frosting for the best results.

Donut cravings satisfied! Now you get to enjoy.

Donut Topping Ideas

Adding toppings to donuts might just be my favorite part!

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Simple Vanilla Glazed Donuts

Combine 1.5 cups confectioners sugar, 3 tablespoons of milk and 2 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Pour over cooled donuts and let dry.

Chocolate Glaze

Use the same measurements from the vanilla glaze and add 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder. Dip one side of cooled donut to coat.

Frosted Donuts

Start with a can of flavored frosting of your choice (chocolate, vanilla, and maple are popular).

Transfer about half the frosting to a microwave safe bowl and melt slightly until smooth but not too runny (about 30 seconds).

Dip one side of donut, shake of excess gently from side to side and let cool on a wire rack.

Crunchy Donut Toppings

After using your glaze or frosting, add crunchy donut toppings like sprinkles, crushed nuts, chocolate chips, or bacon before the frosting cools.

Cinnamon Sugar

Start with one cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of cinnamon and adjust to taste. Lightly brush melted butter onto warm donuts and dip in sugar mixture.

Powdered Sugar

Lightly brush melted butter onto warm donuts and dip in powdered sugar.

Have a favorite I haven’t mentioned? Let me know in the comments! And if you want to learn how to decorate donuts for Easter, check out these adorable bunnies and chicks!

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