Despite being grown adults who fully understand the need for a balanced diet and good, healthy nutrition, we’ll be the first to admit that we have a huge sweet tooth. We quite enjoy sweets of all kinds but we’ve always had a particular soft spot for baked goods, and donuts especially. There’s just something about the soft, delicious dough that we find nothing short of scrumptious! Naturally, being the huge DIY enthusiasts we are, we’re also huge fans of making our very own donuts at home.
Just in case the idea of making your very own donuts at home appeals just as much to you and your family as it did to us, if not more, here are 15 of the very best ideas, recipes, and tutorials that made our mouths water the most.
1. Classic homemade donuts
Let’s start with the basics! Just in case you’re actually a beginner when it comes to baking, and homemade donut making in particular, this recipe featured step by step on Lil’ Luna is one of our very favourites of all time. They teach you clearly and surprisingly simply how to made a classic homemade donut that’s so good you might never visit your local donut shop again (but we also said that and yet we still find ourselves there semi-frequently, so who knows)!
2. Cream puff donuts
Have you always been a huge fan of delicious and unique combination recipes that harness the things you like best from two different kinds of treats? Then learning how to make your own donuts and similar sweets is definitely a good idea for you because you’ll be able to make all kinds of different decadent treats that you wouldn’t necessarily find in stores or shops! This creamy, mouth watering cream puff donut recipe featured on Spoon, Fork, Bacon is the perfect example of what we mean.
3. Baked cinnamon donuts
Have your favourite kinds of donuts actually always been the simple, classic flavours that are often baked, but you much prefer the kind that are dusted with sugar, rather than the kind that are dripping in icing or glaze? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Sweetest Kitchen made these sweet donuts that are also dusted with a fine layer of deliciously fragrant cinnamon, just for a bit of extra taste.
4. Homemade “spudnuts”
If you’re going to go to the trouble of making a unique kind of donut from unique ingredients at home, would you rather make sure it’s something that really is much different than anything you’ve had before? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Somewhat Simple made these fantastic sugared donuts from mashed potatoes. Perhaps the best part of these donuts, besides the great taste, fluffy texture, and slightly healthier nature of them, is the fact that they’re gluten free thanks to their potato base!
5. Old fashioned sour cream cake donuts
Just in case your very favourite kind of donut has always been even more classic and old fashioned than event the simple recipes we’ve shown you so far, here’s another delicious alternative from American Heritage Cooking that will transport you right back to happy childhood moments with each and every bite! Check out their tutorial to learn, step by step, how these old fashioned sour cream cake donuts are made.
6. Old fashioned buttermilk donuts
Just in case you’re still scrolling through trying to find that particular kind of homemade donut classic that’s right for you, here’s one more shot at getting it right before we show you some very uniquely flavoured things indeed! We love the way Spicy Southern Kitchen shows you a version of the old fashioned donut that’s made with butter milk for a treat that’s golden brown on the outside, softly spongey on the inside, and not too sweet.
7. Pineapple upside down donuts
Did we really peak your attention when we started talking about how making your own homemade donuts gives you complete control over creativity, so you’re looking for a recipe that you’ve definitely never seen in stores? In that case, here’s one for the pineapple lovers out there! We think you simply must take a look at how Bakery by Nature made these pineapple upside down donuts that are almost like a miniature, single-serving cake.
8. Vegan, jelly filled donut holes
Perhaps part of the reason you’ve decided to learn how to make donuts and donut based treats of your very own is that you or someone you love has a few dietary restrictions that line up with a vegan diet, which can be quite hard to find in the average store or donut shop? In that case, we absolutely think you should take a look at how Lucy’s Friendly Foods outlined the process of making these wonderfully flavourful (and slightly healthier) vegan donut holes filled with fantastic sweet jelly!
9. Carrot cake baked donuts with cream cheese frosting
Have you actually been thinking about the idea of combination flavoured desserts ever since we first mentioned them earlier on our list, but you just haven’t quite seen the one that really speaks to you yet? Well, for those who also love carrot cake when they’re not eating all the donuts in sight, we think we might have found the perfect recipe for you! Check out how The Recipe Rebel made this perfectly textured baked carrot cake donut smothered in smooth cream cheese icing and sprinkled with delicious toasted coconut shavings.
10. Lemon sugar baked donuts
Despite the fact that you’re an absolute donut lover who generally enjoys all kinds, have you actually always have a penchant for fruit flavoured donuts… even though you wish you could find a couple alternatives that weren’t quite so jam heavy, as the fruit ones usually come? In that case, we have a feeling this stunningly delicious and slightly lighter lemon sugar baked donut recipe featured step by step on Five Heart Home might be a little more up your alley! This might actually be our favourite option on this whole list.
11. Blueberry almond donut holes
Did we really catch your attention when we started talking about homemade donut holes because you’ve always loved how easily shared and bite sized they are, since you have little kids who like to snack, but the previous flavour we showed you didn’t quite appeal to you enough to make up your mind? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Amy’s Healthy Baking made these sweet but light tasting berry almond donut holes that are scrumptious so long as no one in your family is allergic to nuts.
12. Glazed lemon poppy seed donuts
Did you practically start salivating when we mentioned lemon flavoured donuts a little earlier on our list but you’re just a little concerned that that particular recipe might be a touch too sweet for your tastes, since it involves sugaring the donuts? In that case, we have a feeling you might get along a little better with this lighter tasting lemon poppyseed donut recipe featured on Sally’s Baking Addiction! They show you how to make a glaze that complements the donuts perfectly, but we’ve also tried them plain and enjoyed them very much served that way as well.
13. Easy baked pumpkin donuts
Now that fall is on its way, have you gone into full on, excited, nearly obsessive pumpkin and pumpkin spice mode no matter what it is you’re making? In that case, we have a feeling we’ve finally found the perfect recipe for you! Check out how Show The Yummy made these smooth and perfectly spiced tasting baked donuts smothered in a creamy icing that manages to not be too sweet, while still complementing the spices perfectly.
14. Eggnog donuts
We know that it’s not quite Christmas time yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find seasonal recipes now that you’ll used in the near future and keep them bookmarked for later, right? That’s why we were so pleased to come across this deliciously winter-y eggnog donut recipe featured on Mandy’s Recipe Box so early on! Now we know we have a lovely holiday recipe to look forward to in months to come.
15. Glazed chocolate donuts
Have you actually been scrolling through our list and hoping to come across a deep, rich, and smooth chocolate donut recipe because those creamy baked treats have always been your very favourite kind in stores, so you can’t wait to try your hand at making them at home as well? In that case, we’re pleased to let you know that your patience has paid off! This recipe from Crunchy Creamy Sweet shows you how to make a wonderfully moist cake style donut with creamy chocolate icing and a spray of sweet rainbow sprinkles for a bit of personality.
