Homemade Pink Donuts are pure happiness! Soft, fluffy, and topped with a vibrant pink glaze and colorful sprinkles, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat. Perfect for any occasion or just because, let’s whip up a batch of these eye-catching, bakery-style treats together.
Ingredients You Will Need
For the Donuts:
- Milk – Warmed to lukewarm, just enough to activate the yeast.
- Active dry yeast – Helps the dough rise to create a soft, airy texture.
- White granulated sugar – For sweetness and to activate the yeast.
- Bread flour – Provides structure for soft, chewy donuts.
- Butter – Melted and slightly cooled, adds richness and flavor.
- Eggs – Contribute to the fluffy texture.
- Vanilla extract – Adds a gentle, sweet aroma.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Vegetable oil – For frying, ensuring the donuts cook up golden and crispy on the outside.
For the Pink Icing
- powdered sugar – The base for the icing, creating a smooth and sweet glaze.
- pink food color – Adds that classic pink color, making these donuts extra fun.
- water – Adjust as needed to reach the right consistency.
- Rainbow sprinkles – For a colorful finishing touch!
Tips for Perfect Pink Donuts
- Optimal Dough Texture: The dough should be soft and slightly sticky, so avoid adding too much extra flour while kneading to keep the donuts light and airy.
- Consistent Frying Temperature: Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature. If it’s too hot, the donuts may burn outside before cooking through.
- Smooth Icing: To avoid clumps, sift the powdered sugar before mixing it into the icing.
Storage
Enjoy these fresh donuts for the best texture! Keep leftovers in a sealed container at room temperature for 2 days. If you need to reheat, a few seconds in the microwave will revive their softness.
For more irresistible recipes, try Italian donuts, oven-baked beignets, and apple-filled doughnuts, each one bursting with unique flavors and baked to perfection!
Variations
- Glaze Colors: Swap the pink food color for any color you like – these donuts are just as fun in blue, green, or yellow!
- Chocolate Lovers: Add a drizzle of melted chocolate over the pink icing for a chocolate twist.
- Filled Donuts: Skip the donut holes and fill these donuts with your favorite jam or custard before icing.
Classic Pink Donuts with Rainbow Sprinkles
Discover how easy it is to make fluffy, sweet donuts topped with a vibrant pink glaze and colorful sprinkles. Simple ingredients, delicious results, and perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 Tbsp active dry yeast
- ⅓ cup white granulated sugar
- 3 ½ cups bread flour
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil
For the Pink Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon pink food color
- 1 Tbsp water
- Rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Start by gently warming the milk until it feels lukewarm to the touch. Pour it into a jug, add the yeast and sugar, and stir. Let this mixture sit for 10-15 minutes until it becomes bubbly and frothy.
- Then in a large mixing bowl, sift the bread flour and salt together, ensuring they are well combined.
- Melt the butter and let it cool slightly. Add it to the yeast mixture, along with the eggs and vanilla extract. Stir everything together to combine.
- Next, pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir with a spoon until a soft, sticky dough forms. If using a stand mixer with a dough hook, set it on low speed to combine the ingredients until they form a cohesive dough.
- Then lightly flour your work surface and your hands, then tip the dough out onto the surface. Knead for 10-20 minutes by hand, or use a stand mixer on medium speed for about 10 minutes, until the dough is soft, smooth, and stretchy.
- Place the dough in a clean, greased bowl and cover it with cling film. Let it rise for 1-2 hours in a warm environment until it has doubled in size.
Shape the Donuts
- Once the dough has risen, roll it out to a 1-inch thickness. Use a 4-inch round cookie cutter to cut out circles, then use a 1-inch cutter to create a hole in the center of each donut. Place the donuts on a greased baking sheet.
- Cover the tray with plastic wrap and allow the donuts to rise again for another 45 minutes until they are puffy and light.
- Towards the end of the rising time, pour the vegetable oil into a large pot and heat it over medium heat. Use a thermometer to ensure it reaches 375°F (190°C) for optimal frying.
- Carefully lower the donuts, one or two at a time, into the hot oil. Fry each donut for 1-2 minutes on one side, then flip and fry the other side for another 1-2 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer the cooked donuts to a cooling rack.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, pink food color, and water until smooth. Adjust the water if needed for a thick, dropping consistency.
- Dip the top of each donut into the pink icing, then place it back on the cooling rack. While the icing is still wet, sprinkle the donuts with rainbow sprinkles for a cheerful finish.
Nutrition
Calories: 361kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 6gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 244mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 191IUVitamin C: 0.001mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 0.5mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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