Baked Sprinkle Donuts

Baked sprinkle donuts. This simple recipe is perfect for all occasions; birthdays, holidays or just because it's the weekend. Topped with vanilla glaze and more sprinkles. These cake donuts are the ultimate breakfast treat!

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Homemade donuts are always a treat! And who doesn't love a donut with sprinkles? Soft, fluffy birthday confetti donuts {as little e calls them} are loaded with sprinkles and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze.

As a busy mom and home baker, I appreciate that these baked cake donuts can be ready in about 30 minutes. They are made a little healthier with white whole wheat flour and Greek yogurt, both ingredients adding some extra protein.

Because sprinkles make everything more fun, like cheesecake or fudge, my sugar bugs are always asking for me to add them to things. So whether you call them sprinkle donuts, funfetti donuts or confetti donuts, they are sure to delight your family and friends.

💗 why you will love these donuts with sprinkles

• Easy to make.
• The confetti donuts are baked, not fried.
• No mixer needed.
• Perfect for birthdays or celebrations!
• Much more affordable than a dozen at the bakery!

🍩 ingredients needed and substitutions

Please scroll to the printable recipe card at the end of this post for the full list of ingredients and baking directions.

• White whole wheat flour ~ tends to have more protein than refined white flour. You can substitute all-purpose flour, if needed. I love King Arthur flour. If you aren't used to baking with whole wheat flour, I would suggest using half all-purpose flour. See the recipe card for amounts. I haven't tested it, but suspect a 1 to 1 all-purpose gluten free flour should work too.
• Baking powder ~ gives the homemade donuts a little lift.
• Ground nutmeg {not shown} ~ adds that bakery or donut shop flavor.
• Kosher salt ~ helps to balance the flavors. If you only have table salt, use half the amount.
• Granulated sugar ~ to add a little sweetness.
• Egg ~ one large at room temperature.
• Vanilla ~ adds extra flavor to both the sprinkle donuts and the vanilla glaze.
• Greek yogurt ~ adds moisture and a little protein. Ideally it should be at room temperature. You can substitute with sour cream if you don't have Greek yogurt.
• Milk ~use your favorite milk. I usually use almond milk or 1%. It's also ideal to have at room temperature.
• Coconut oil ~ adds moisture. Melt the oil and allow it to cool slightly. Butter can be substituted for the oil, also melt and let cool slightly.
• Sprinkles ~ I prefer jimmies sprinkles. I would stay away from nonpareils {small round balls} as they bleed a lot and will turn the batter an ugly color.
• Confectioners' sugar ~ also known as powdered sugar or icing sugar, used for the donut icing.
• Butter ~ just a tablespoon that you melt for the donut icing, I prefer unsalted butter.

🥣 how to make baked donuts

Start by preheating the oven to 350°F. Prepare a donut pan with butter or non-stick spray and set aside.

In a medium size bowl, whisk together the white whole wheat flour, baking powder, ground nutmeg and kosher salt. In another bowl, whisk the egg, granulated sugar, vanilla and Greek yogurt until combined.

Then add the milk and whisk until combined.

Finally add the coconut oil and whisk until fully combined.

Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. The batter will be fairly thick.

Lightly fold in the sprinkles.

Spoon the batter into each donut well, filling about ¾ of the way full.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool a few minutes in the pan and then transfer to a wire rack.

🥄 how to add the vanilla glaze

While the baked sprinkle donuts are cooling, make the donut icing.

In a bowl combine the melted butter with the confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Then add the milk or half and half until you reach a thick glaze consistency.

Dunk the top of each donut into the glaze and top with additional sprinkles. If you like less icing, drizzle the glaze over the donuts instead of dunking. {I just add the vanilla glaze to a zip top bag and snip off a corner}.

👩🏻‍🍳 tips for the best baked sprinkle donuts

• Prepare the pan well. I typically use butter to grease each donut well, but a baking spray with flour, like Baker's Joy, also works.
• If you aren't used to baking with whole wheat flour; use half all-purpose flour and half whole wheat {see the recipe card notes}.
• Don't overfill the donut pan, ¾ of the way is the ideal amount.
• Many people recommend filling a piping bag with the donut batter to pipe them into the donut pan. I actually find this method to be messier and wastes more of the batter, but use it if it works for you. I simply use a spoon.
• If you only have one donut pan, you can use a mini muffin pan to make donut holes with the remaining batter.
• Allow the sprinkle donuts to cool enough for you to handle before adding the donut icing, otherwise it will just soak into the baked donuts.
• Place a baking sheet pan, parchment paper or aluminum foil under a wire cooling rack before putting the vanilla glaze on the donuts. This will collect any glaze drippings and make cleanup faster.

💡 donut icing variations

chocolate sprinkle donuts ~ use a chocolate glaze; mix 1 cup confectioners' sugar(120g) with 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (24g), 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk or half and half. Add milk in ½ teaspoon increments, if needed, to reach a glaze consistency.

chocolate chip sprinkle donuts ~ use vanilla or chocolate glaze and top with mini chocolate chips.

pink {or any color} glaze ~ color the vanilla icing with food coloring to match your celebration or mood.

💬 frequently asked questions

how do you get sprinkles to stick to donuts?

When using extra sprinkles for decorating, you will want to add them immediately after adding the glaze. The wet glaze will stick the sprinkles to the homemade donuts.

what sprinkles should I use?

I prefer jimmies sprinkles or confetti quins {flat and round}. I would stay away from nonpareils {small round balls} as they bleed a lot and will turn the batter an ugly color.

do baked donuts taste the same as fried?

The taste will vary depending on the recipe. In general baked donuts have a different texture, they tend to be denser and more cake like. Whereas fried donuts have more of the melt in your mouth texture.

are baked donuts healthier than fried donuts?

As always, healthy is a subjective term, but baked donuts tend to be healthier because they are not fried in oil.

🫙 how to store

Baked sprinkle donuts are best eaten when freshly baked. They can be covered and stored at room temperature for 1-2 days or refrigerated for up to one week.

Donuts can be frozen for up to 2 months; I've frozen them both glazed and without glaze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then allow to come to room temperature.

If you know you are going to freeze the donuts, I would add the donut icing after they have defrosted and come to room temperature.

Remember to snap a picture and tag me @twosugarbugs on Instagram if you make this Sprinkle Donuts recipe. It warms my heart to see you bring these recipes to life! Thank you for being here and happy baking!

more breakfast recipes to try

• Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls
• Snickerdoodle Banana Bread
• Blueberry Donuts
• Sweet Pull Apart Bread
• Small Batch Banana Muffins
• Peanut Butter Muffins

If you make this recipe {or any recipe!} from two sugar bugs please come back and leave a review and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating.  I read every comment, and I LOVE hearing from you!