Baked Funfetti Birthday Donuts: Easy, Healthy, and Bursting with Sprinkles!
There’s nothing quite like a homemade treat to make a special occasion even brighter, and these Baked Funfetti Birthday Donuts are the epitome of celebratory indulgence! Often affectionately called “Birthday Donuts” for good reason, they are absolutely perfect for marking those memorable milestones. Crafted with healthier ingredients and baked to perfection, each delightful donut contains just 132 calories, offering a guilt-free pleasure that doesn’t compromise on flavor or fun. Every single bite promises a joyful explosion of rainbow sprinkles, making them as visually appealing as they are delicious.
Celebrating Life’s Sweet Moments with Homemade Goodness
Today is my birthday, and while I might not be turning 21 (oh, how I wish!), time certainly does march on! Regardless of the number, every birthday is an excellent excuse to indulge in something truly special and delicious. Lately, my focus has been on maintaining a healthy routine, with most breakfasts consisting of meal prepping and quick options like green smoothies or protein shakes. But for a birthday, traditions sometimes call for a delightful deviation. And what better way to celebrate than with a batch of vibrant, homemade Birthday Donuts?
Donuts hold a special place in our family. My four boys absolutely adore them, and it’s become a cherished tradition to grab a fresh batch on a Saturday morning at least once a month. It’s always amusing to see their individual preferences – each one has a different favorite flavor! As for me, I’m a true cake donut enthusiast. It’s ironic, perhaps, given my general indifference towards cake, but a cake donut? That’s a whole different story! The dense, moist texture of a cake donut is something I simply can’t resist.
The Advantages of Baked Donuts: Healthier & Delicious
This recipe for homemade baked donuts offers a fantastic alternative to their fried counterparts. By choosing to bake instead of deep-fry, we significantly reduce the fat and calorie content, making them a much healthier option for a celebratory breakfast or a sweet snack. Each of these funfetti delights clocks in at only 132 calories, allowing you to enjoy a treat without the heavy feeling. But beyond the health benefits, there’s a distinct culinary advantage:
A Unique Texture You’ll Love
Baked donuts possess a wonderfully dense, cake-like texture that sets them apart from fluffy, fried varieties. While some might prefer the airy lightness of a fried donut, many, myself included, truly appreciate the substantial bite and rich mouthfeel of a baked donut. They are moist, tender, and incredibly satisfying, embodying the best qualities of both cake and donut. This makes them perfect for absorbing that sweet, colorful glaze we’ll be adding!
Simple Preparation, Less Mess
Another huge benefit of baked donuts is the ease of preparation and minimal cleanup. There’s no need to deal with hot oil, splattering, or the lingering smell of frying in your kitchen. Just mix, bake, and enjoy! This simplicity is what makes this recipe ideal for busy mornings or when you want to whip up a special treat without a lot of fuss.
Whipping Up Your Own Funfetti Masterpiece
Creating these delightful Birthday Donuts is surprisingly straightforward. You’ll need at least one, ideally two, donut pans. If you only have one, no worries – simply bake in two batches. The batter itself is incredibly easy to make, requiring just one bowl and about 5-10 minutes of mixing. This makes it a perfect project for bakers of all skill levels, even those who are new to making homemade donuts.
Ingredients for a Healthier Indulgence
This recipe uses white whole wheat flour, which provides a boost of whole-grain goodness without sacrificing the light texture typically associated with white flour. For sweetener, Truvia Baking Blend is a great option for reducing sugar, but regular granulated sugar works perfectly if you prefer. You can also customize the milk choice, opting for skim, almond, soy, or any other preferred milk to suit dietary needs or preferences.
The Art of the Glaze and Sprinkles
For my birthday batch, I opted for a vibrant pink glaze to add an extra festive touch. However, the beauty of homemade donuts is the freedom to customize! Feel free to leave the glaze a classic white for a clean, elegant look, or experiment with other food colorings to match any occasion or theme. The crowning glory, of course, is a generous scattering of rainbow sprinkles. These aren’t just for decoration; they infuse every bite with a joyful crunch and delightful sweetness, truly embodying the “funfetti” spirit. A piping bag can make filling the donut molds a breeze, ensuring perfectly shaped donuts every time, but a spoon will work just as well.
Beyond Birthdays: Versatility of Funfetti Donuts
While these are undeniably perfect for a birthday surprise, their charm extends far beyond just one day a year. Imagine these colorful treats making an appearance for other holidays or casual gatherings:
- Valentine’s Day: Use red or pink food coloring for the glaze and heart-shaped sprinkles for a romantic touch.
- Holiday Brunches: A festive addition to any holiday table, from Easter to Christmas, simply by adjusting sprinkle colors.
- Everyday Treat: Who needs an excuse for a little sprinkle-filled happiness? These are easy enough for a weekend baking project.
- School or Office Parties: A crowd-pleasing dessert that’s easy to transport and share.
- Just Because: Sometimes, the best reason to make donuts is simply to brighten someone’s day (or your own!).
Surprising a loved one with these homemade Funfetti Donuts on the morning of their birthday is a gesture that truly says “I care.” The effort, the vibrant colors, and the delicious taste all combine to create a memorable start to their special day.
Baked Funfetti Donuts (Birthday Donuts!)
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Ingredients
Funfetti Donuts:
- 2 eggs
- 4 Tbsp. butter melted
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup Truvia Baking Blend or 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 cup skim milk can also use almond, soy, etc
- 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles
Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 4 Tbsp. skim milk
- Pink food coloring optional
- Extra rainbow sprinkles for topping (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350º F. Spray 2 (six-count) donut pans with cooking spray, generously. Ensure every cavity is well-coated to prevent sticking.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with an electric mixer until they are well blended and slightly frothy. Add the melted butter, vanilla extract, and Truvia (or sugar). Continue to mix until the ingredients are smoothly combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the white whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet batter, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Pour in the milk and stir until the batter is smooth. Finally, gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
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Carefully spoon the donut batter into the prepared donut pans. Fill each cavity about two-thirds full. For easier and neater filling, you can transfer the batter to a piping bag (or a Ziploc bag with a corner snipped off) and pipe it into the molds. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean. Avoid overcooking, as this can lead to dry donuts. Let the baked donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before gently tipping them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
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While the donuts cool, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and skim milk. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and free of any lumps. If desired, add a few drops of pink food coloring and stir until you achieve your preferred shade. Once the donuts are completely cooled, dip the top of each donut into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Immediately top with extra rainbow sprinkles for maximum funfetti effect. Serve and enjoy your beautiful, homemade Birthday Donuts!
Notes
Nutrition
Tips for Perfect Baked Funfetti Donuts
- Donut Pan Prep: Don’t skimp on the cooking spray! A generous coating ensures your donuts release easily and maintain their perfect shape. For an extra layer of non-stick, you can lightly flour the sprayed pan as well.
- Mixing the Batter: Overmixing can lead to tough donuts. Mix until just combined. A few lumps are perfectly fine and often result in a tender crumb.
- Filling the Pans: A piping bag (or a sturdy ziploc bag with the corner snipped) is your best friend here. It allows for precise and clean filling of the donut cavities, ensuring consistent donut size and a neat appearance. If using a spoon, try to evenly distribute the batter without overfilling.
- Don’t Overbake: Baked donuts can go from perfectly moist to dry very quickly. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes of baking. The toothpick test is reliable: it should come out clean.
- Cooling is Key: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Dipping warm donuts in glaze will cause the glaze to melt and run off, rather than set nicely.
- Glaze Consistency: If your glaze is too thick, add milk a tiny bit at a time. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar. Aim for a consistency that coats the back of a spoon and drips slowly.
Serving Suggestions & Storage
These Baked Funfetti Donuts are delightful on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, a glass of cold milk, or even a mimosa for a festive brunch. For best results, enjoy them fresh on the day they are made. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. While they won’t be quite as soft as freshly baked, they’ll still be a delicious reminder of your celebration.
If you liked this Donut recipe, you might like these too:
Baked Biscuit Donuts with Strawberry Glaze
Baked Chocolate Donuts
Baked Apple Donuts with Maple Glaze