Vanilla Lemon Donuts with Buttercream Flowers

A perfect spring or summertime treat, these homemade baked donuts are topped with a sweet glaze and full of bright, fresh lemony flavor. Customize them for any celebration by adding intricate floral décor. Check out this video to learn how to easily make buttercream roses at home.

Ingredients

USMetric

Vanilla Lemon Donut

1 1/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons cake flour, sifted
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon buttermilk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 egg, plus 1 egg yolk, beaten
1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Lemon Extract
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1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
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2 teaspoons lemon zest

Donut Glaze

1 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons milk

Vanilla Buttercream (optional)

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon whole milk
1 1/2 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
Pinch of salt

Directions

For the Donuts

Preheat oven to 350˚F.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon extract and lemon zest. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, being careful to not overmix.

Prepare donut pan with nonstick spray. Fill a pastry bag with the donut batter and snip the end off the bag. Pipe the donut cavities about half full of batter. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until they spring back when touched. Allow the donuts to cool fully in their pans before unmolding.

For the Glaze

While the donuts cool, make the glaze by mixing the milk and confectioners’ sugar together until smooth. Dip tops of donuts into the glaze and place donuts upright on a wire rack to set.

For the Buttercream (optional)

Add butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract and salt into a large bowl. Mix with a hand mixer or stand mixer until light, pale and fluffy.

Finish the donuts by decorating with buttercream roses.

Note

Recipe by Crumbcoat Confections