Classic Red Velvet cake transformed into donuts / doughnuts with a sweet and slightly tangy cream cheese glaze
They make a fun and festive treat and are also pretty easy to whip up since you don’t need your mixer.
I used melted coconut oil, non-fat plain Greek yogurt, and low-fat buttermilk to ensure that these donuts were moist and fluffy.
These donuts were a huge hit at the party and the birthday girl has already requested I make them again instead of cupcakes from now on.
The batter only makes about 7 donuts (my donut pan can only hold 6 so I poured the remaining batter in my single mini bundt cake pan).
The recipe can easily be doubled if you need to make more though.
If you are a fan of red velvet, these donuts would make the perfect treat!
Feel free to dress them up with some pink and red sprinkles or hearts ❤❤ and share them with your sweetie on Valentine’s Day!
- 1 cup cake flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 2 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil melted and cooled (can also use melted butter)
- 2 tablespoons non-fat plain Greek yogurt can also use sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
- 1/2 - 1 teaspoon red food coloring depending on how red you want the donuts I used 1/2 teaspoon of AmeriColor Super Red
- 1/3 cup cream cheese softened
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar or more depending on desired consistency
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or more depending on desired consistency
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Lightly spray donut pan with baking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In a liquid measuring cup, pour in the buttermilk and whisk in egg, melted coconut oil, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract and distilled vinegar.
- Add the liquids to the flour mixture stirring with a rubber spatula until just combined.
- Add red food coloring a little bit at a time while stirring until desired color has been reached.
- Using a small spoon fill each donut pan about 2/3 of the way full or you can transfer the donut batter to a ziplock or pastry bag and squeeze in. The batter was thick so I found using a spoon was easier.
- Bake for 7-8 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean and cool in pan for 5 minutes before moving to wire rack to cool completely before adding glaze.
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and combined.
- Add vanilla extract then slowly add powdered sugar a little bit at a time, beating until smooth.
- Add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency has been reached. Spread frosting on cooled donuts and add sprinkles if desired.
*The brand of food coloring you use will depend on how much you will need to reach the desired consistency. I used AmeriColor Super Red and added a about 1/2 teaspoon.br]
Adapted from: [How Sweet Eats
More Red Velvet Treats:
Emma -
I love baked doughnuts so much healthier for you than fried ones and these are so beautiful and would definitely be a wonderful valentines day treat for your sweetie. Lovely job with these Kelly 😀
Kelly -
Thanks so much Emma 🙂 Hope you have a lovely week!
Andi @ The Weary Chef -
Kelly, these are amazingly cute! I’m sharing them all over the place 😉
Kelly -
Thanks so much Andi and for sharing 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful week!
Jess -
Love baked doughnuts- they always taste better than fried. Love the fact these are red velvet- lovely photos too! 🙂
Kelly -
Thanks so much Jess 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful week!
Zainab @ Blahnik baker -
Kelly, I wish I had these donuts for breakfast today!! I love that you made them healthier and even more so you used coconut oil!! Eeeep!! Love! I need to get me a donut pan soon to try these.
Kelly -
Thanks so much Zainab 🙂 Haha, yes, you must get a donut pan – they are so much fun to make at home and yours would totally rock 🙂
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner -
Kelly, I think your donuts were a good choice! They look delicious… I have one of those pans and should give these a try! Have a great day! Pinned alsol
Kelly -
Thanks so much Deb and thanks for pinning 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful week!