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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Breakfast / Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake Donuts

    Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake Donuts

    Last Update September 17, 2020 By chrystal 271 Comments

    This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Jump to Recipe
    Thanks for sharing!

    Fun and festive Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake Donuts that are soft, fluffy, bursting with vanilla, and smothered in a sweet glaze. Enjoy these gluten-free vanilla donuts plain or top them with sprinkles for an extra colorful treat.

    If you like gluten-free donuts, you might also like my Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Donuts. My Gluten-Free Vegan Donuts are a favorite among many.

    For more breakfast recipes check out my Gluten Free Breakfast section.

    gluten free vanilla donuts with colored icing and colored sprinkles arranged next to a jar of milk

    Gluten-Free Donuts

    I've mentioned this in previous posts - my girls and I enjoy a donut every Friday. It helps us wind down for the week and rewards us for getting up and getting ready for the day on time. These gluten-free vanilla cake donuts are one of our favorite gluten-free donuts.

     


    Gluten-free donuts are an extra special treat that we save for Friday morning's. We like to make up a big batch of gluten-free donuts and freeze them for the future weeks. When we run out of gluten-free donuts, we bake up another batch.

    These Gluten-Free Vanilla Birthday Cake donuts are incredible any time and aren't just for celebrating birthdays. You can decorate them with frosting or enjoy them plain.

    Gluten-Free Vanilla Donuts are super easy to make if you have a good recipes, so I hope you'll try these and see just how simple they are to make.

    When you do, please stop back by and let me know what you thought and what you topped your gluten-free donuts with.

    gluten free vanilla donuts with sprinkles on a wire cooling rack Gluten Free Cake Donuts

    We rotate the types of gluten-free donuts we make, adding in variety and giving me a chance to test out new donut recipes. My girls like to dip these gluten-free vanilla cake donuts donuts in glaze and add sprinkles.

    I love it when they bake with me and they love being rewarded with a sweat treat for helping. The girls and I devoured these Gluten-Free Vanilla Birthday Cake Donuts straight from the oven.

    The second batch made it to the glaze and sprinkle process and were frozen for the next week. The texture in these gluten-free vanilla donuts is perfect. There is a little give with the pick the donut up. It's tender, and melts perfectly in your mouth.

    Do I have to use a donut pan?

    If you don't have a donut pan, I recommend you get one. But for now you can use a muffin pan or a mini muffin pan. Just note that the cooking time is lower with a donut pan because the donut dough gets contact all around, including in the center with the donut pan.

    six gluten free donuts with glaze and sprinkles

    Can I make these gluten-free donuts dairy-free?

    Absolutely. Substitute the milk for your favorite dairy-free milk. Also use dairy-free milk in the glaze.

    These gluten-free vanilla cake donuts are insanely simple to make. They bake up in less than ten minutes and are tender, flavorful, and they hit your donut-loving taste buds in all the right places.

    You can have fun with the glaze by adding in color, or you can use different types of sprinkles. One year for Halloween we made the glaze purple and topped the donuts with orange sprinkles. They were fun to hand out to friends on Halloween.

    Do these gluten-free vanilla cake donuts freeze well?

    Yes, these gluten-free vanilla cake donuts freeze well. We often double the batch and freeze the rest for our Friday donut days. That way I don't have to make a fresh batch each week. Simple take them out the night before, or defrost them in the microwave in the morning.

    What gluten-free sprinkles do you recommend?

    Sweetapolita makes great gluten-free sprinkles. Let's do Organic has a couple of varieties as well.

    Most sprinkles don't have wheat or gluten in them but they are usually processed in a facility that processes other glutinous ingredients. Make sure to check labels for allergen information.

    gluten free donuts pinterest pin collage

    My Gluten-Free Gingerbread Donuts are delicious any time of year, not just the fall months, if you're looking for a gluten free donut with some spice.

    Did you make these gluten-free cake donuts? Please let me know what you think in the comments below. Also, if you have a question that I haven't already answered above please leave a comment and I will get back to you.

    Continue to Content
    Yield: 12

    Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake Donuts

    a close up of gluten free vanilla donuts with colored icing and colored sprinkles arranged next to a jar of milk

    Fun and festive Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake Donuts that are soft, fluffy, bursting with vanilla, and smothered in a sweet glaze. You are going to love how easy these gluten free donuts are to make.

    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 9 minutes
    Total Time 19 minutes

    Ingredients

    For the donuts:

    • 2 cups all purpose gluten-free flour blend
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¾ cup milk (or dairy-free milk)
    • 2 large eggs, room temperature
    • 2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract
    • ½ cup oil of choice

    For the glaze:

    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 2 tablespoons milk
    • ½ - 1 cup sprinkles

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease two six-serving donut pans; set aside.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
    3. In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla, and oil.
    4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until combined.
    5. Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan filling about ½ full. The batter should not cover the center of the donut, where the hole will go.
    6. Bake for 7-9 minutes or until the donuts rise and set.
    7. Remove from oven and carefully remove the donut from the pan. You may need to use a spoon or a rubber spatula to loosen them if they stick.
    8. Cool donuts on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
    9. Place your wire rack over a cookie sheet or piece of parchment paper.
    10. For the glaze: In a separate small mixing bowl, combine the powered sugar and milk. Heat covered in the microwave for 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave and stir until all sugar lumps are dissolved.
    11. One at a time, dip the tops of your donuts into the glaze.
    12. Place your donut back on the rack and repeat until all donuts have been dipped.
    13. Repeat 1-2 more times until your glaze is white.
    14. After the last dip in the glaze, dip the donuts into the sprinkles.
    15. Store donuts in a airtight container at room temperate for up to three days.

    Notes

    • You can use dairy-free milk to make these gluten free donuts dairy-free.
    • When working with or measuring gluten-free flour, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level. Do not scoop your measuring cup into the gluten-free flour. The best method really is to weight it but I don't have the ingredient weights for all my recipes yet.

    Recommended Products

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. They never cost you extra.

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      Chefast Non-Stick Donut Pan Combo Kit: BPA-Free Large and Mini Silicone Doughnut Pans, 5 Pastry Bags, and Spatula - Baking Molds for Full-Size and Small Donuts - Bagels and Doughnuts Maker Set

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    12

    Serving Size:

    1 donut

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 303Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 301mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 4g
    © Chrystal Carver
    Cuisine: American / Category: Breakfast
    a pinterest pin with three gluten free donuts stacked, with the words gluten free cake donuts in text at the top

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    Note on Questions and Comments: All comments and questions are answered in the order they are received. I aim to answer all questions within 48 hours. There may be a delay on weekends and holidays.

    Previous Post: « Gluten-Free Chocolate Muffins
    Next Post: Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lyndsey Coffey

      July 01, 2020 at 7:45 am

      Do you freeze them before or after you frost them?

      Reply
      • chrystal

        July 01, 2020 at 8:05 am

        I frost them and then freeze them so my girls can pull them out of the freezer and defrost or reheat.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
        • Tami

          September 12, 2020 at 7:46 am

          It says to substitute non dairy milk and vinegar for the buttermilk to make it dairy free, but I don't even see buttermilk in the recipe. Did you change it?

          Reply
          • chrystal

            September 12, 2020 at 8:11 am

            Hi Tami,
            Thanks for the catch, yes, it used to called for buttermilk but found that regular milk worked better. You can use a dairy-free milk.

            Best,
            Chrystal

            Reply
            • Amanda

              November 05, 2020 at 11:35 pm

              Does this work with a mini doughnut pan with 12 doughnuts on it?

            • chrystal

              November 06, 2020 at 5:15 am

              Yes, you'll need to reduce the baking time. Check for doneness after 6-7 minutes.

              Best,
              Chrystal

            • Meg

              January 10, 2021 at 9:17 am

              Making both your vanilla doughnuts AND cupcakes at the same time (one after the other) noticed your cupcake recipe included the grams conversion which I found super helpful, could you include that for the next time I make it please? Or maybe just comment it so I can be sure I make it exactly how you’ve made it? Thanks in advance!!

            • chrystal

              January 10, 2021 at 4:33 pm

              Hi Meg,
              I don't have metric conversions for all my recipe yet but I hope to get them all converted this year.

              Best,
              Chrystal

          • Jacklyn Prasad

            October 18, 2020 at 4:37 pm

            Can you freeze just the batter

            Reply
            • chrystal

              October 19, 2020 at 6:55 am

              I haven't tried to freeze it. I would be worried that they wouldn't rise after defrosted and baked.

              Best,
              Chrystal

            • Debbie Block

              March 25, 2021 at 9:38 am

              Thanks again for another easy GF option. My young grandson does so well having to eat GF. He never complains when siblings eat food that he can’t have! I know my daughter-in-law appreciates pulling these out of the freezer for him! I have made many of your recipes and they are a hit!

            • chrystal

              March 26, 2021 at 6:12 am

              You are very welcome. I am so glad you are loving my recipes.

              Best,
              Chrystal

        • Joanne

          April 02, 2021 at 7:47 am

          Has anyone used this recipe in a mini donut baker machine?

          Reply
          • chrystal

            April 03, 2021 at 5:54 am

            Yes, a few readers have 🙂

            Best,
            Chrystal

            Reply
      • Priya

        July 13, 2020 at 10:11 pm

        It’s been hard to find gluten free treats that work for my allergic son. This recipe worked Amazingly even with a local gluten free flour. Family loved it and it was easy enough to make two days running . Thank you!

        Reply
        • chrystal

          July 14, 2020 at 6:29 am

          I am so glad everyone loved it. Thank you for sharing.

          Best,
          Chrystal

          Reply
      • Anna

        July 30, 2020 at 1:08 pm

        Hi Chrystal, I just made these donuts and they are the BEST! No frosting will have a chance to adhere to them. I can’t stop eating them. Thanks for the recipe

        Reply
        • chrystal

          July 30, 2020 at 2:19 pm

          I am so glad you love them. Thank you for letting me know 🙂

          Best,
          Chrystal

          Reply
          • Lyla

            September 04, 2020 at 12:03 am

            Hi mine turned into a dough what do I have to add in order to make it a batter? Thank you

            Reply
            • chrystal

              September 04, 2020 at 5:37 pm

              Hi Lyla,
              What flour blend did you use? And how did you measure it?

              Best,
              Chrystal

    2. Nikki

      July 10, 2020 at 2:21 pm

      in the info above it says there's buttermilk in these - i usually do the dairy free sub. is it in the recipe though? it isn't listed

      Reply
      • chrystal

        July 11, 2020 at 6:26 am

        I used to use buttermilk instead of milk. You can use either, but for dairy-free, just use a dairy-free milk.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    3. Erica

      July 17, 2020 at 7:14 pm

      Made these tonight and the whole family loved them!! Thank you!! Did vanilla and chocolate glaze FTW!

      Reply
      • chrystal

        July 18, 2020 at 6:55 am

        I am so glad! Thank you for taking the time to stop back by and let me know.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
        • Knight

          September 20, 2020 at 1:01 am

          Thank you. I was impressed with the simplicity of this recipe, that yielded wonderfully tasting donuts. 10/10

          Reply
          • chrystal

            September 20, 2020 at 6:30 am

            So glad you liked it. Thank you for stopping back by.

            Best,
            Chrystal

            Reply
      • Sherry

        September 23, 2020 at 9:43 pm

        Do you think this will work with Bobs red mill all purpose or 1to1 flour?

        Reply
        • chrystal

          September 24, 2020 at 2:10 pm

          Yes, we love using the 1-to-1 (blue bag) in this recipe. I don't recommend the all purpose (brown bag) in this recipe.

          Best,
          Chrystal

          Reply
          • Stephanie

            February 14, 2021 at 6:43 am

            I used the blue bag 1:1 flour and mine still had a dough like consistency. I managed to get it in the donut pan and make them. Super good by the way, but what can I do next time to make it more of a batter?

            Reply
            • chrystal

              February 14, 2021 at 6:52 am

              Make sure to spoon the flour into the measuring cup and then level it. You can also whisk the flour before you measure it to make sure it's not packed.

              Best,
              Chrystal

      • Jenny

        March 24, 2021 at 7:57 am

        My toddler is allergic to eggs. What would you recommend as the best substitute for them in this recipe? Typically when baking, we use plain applesauce or sometimes flaxseed. But I'm always unsure how things will bake when it's also required to be dairy and gluten free.

        Reply
        • chrystal

          March 24, 2021 at 12:04 pm

          You can use a flaxseed-egg in this donut recipe 🙂

          Best,
          Chrystal

          Reply
    4. Dee Stec

      July 19, 2020 at 8:55 am

      These donuts are amazing! They got slightly brown on the bottom, but tops stayed pretty light. They are delicious without any toppings at all!!!
      I'm so glad I found such a great gluten free donut.

      Reply
      • chrystal

        July 19, 2020 at 7:01 pm

        I am so glad you liked them. I have other donut recipes if you want to try other flavors. My gluten free chocolate donuts and cinnamon sugar donuts are also big hits.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    5. Christine

      July 30, 2020 at 8:41 am

      These were great! I didn't miss the gluten or dairy at all! My kids devoured them!

      Reply
      • chrystal

        July 30, 2020 at 8:49 am

        I am so glad to hear it. Thank you for stopping back by to let me know.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    6. Netisha Singh

      August 09, 2020 at 1:36 am

      Can I use gluten free cake flour instead of all purpose flour?

      Reply
      • chrystal

        August 09, 2020 at 6:40 am

        I haven't tried gluten free cake flour. Is is self rising flour? If so, then you could try it but I would omit the baking powder.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    7. isabell

      August 17, 2020 at 9:48 am

      Hey! I was thinking of making these donuts, they look amazing. I was just wondering how many donuts I would end up with by following the recipe? 🙂

      Reply
      • chrystal

        August 17, 2020 at 3:53 pm

        This recipe makes 12 donuts. You can freeze any leftover donuts or you can cut this recipe in half.

        Best
        Chrystal

        Reply
      • Sarah

        August 18, 2020 at 1:07 pm

        12 but you can double it or half it.

        Reply
    8. Emma

      August 18, 2020 at 1:01 pm

      Can i substitute the all-purpose flour for something else since i don't have any on hand?

      Reply
      • chrystal

        August 18, 2020 at 3:04 pm

        I haven't tried other flours in this recipe, sorry.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    9. CJ

      August 23, 2020 at 10:20 am

      This recipe is fabulous! I used coconut oil for the batter and the taste was simply divine. My friends devoured these in minutes!

      Reply
      • chrystal

        August 24, 2020 at 6:43 am

        I am so glad you like it. Thank you for sharing.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    10. Lynne

      September 07, 2020 at 6:00 pm

      Thanks soooo much for your awesome recipe!!!! My 8yr old celiac child is in LOVE with them! As am I!!! Only thing I did differently was add a little pat of butter to the glaze:) but that’s just us butter crazy people:)
      Thanks again!!! Can’t wait to try your gingerbread ones next:)

      Reply
      • chrystal

        September 08, 2020 at 7:04 am

        I am so glad you and your 8yo loved then. You both might like my chocolate ones too 😉

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    11. Katherin

      September 08, 2020 at 3:39 pm

      Can you use this recipe for a donut maker? I have a dash donut maker and was looking for a gf donut batter recipe that would work with that.

      Reply
      • chrystal

        September 09, 2020 at 6:27 am

        Hi Katherin,
        Several readers have made these and my chocolate donuts in the donut maker. You'll have to follow the donut makers instructions for cooking time.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    12. Rose

      September 13, 2020 at 6:17 pm

      Can I use silicone donut molds?

      Reply
      • chrystal

        September 14, 2020 at 6:44 am

        Hi Rose,
        Yes, you can use silicone donut molds. You may have to adjust the cooking time up.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    13. Sally

      September 26, 2020 at 7:41 am

      These were great! (I made them using King Arthur GF Flour blend.) I transferred the batter into a ziplock bag and then cut a small corner off so I could pipe the batter into the donut pans.

      Reply
      • chrystal

        September 27, 2020 at 9:23 am

        I am so glad you loved them. Thank you for sharing what flour blend you used.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    14. Marina

      October 03, 2020 at 7:13 am

      Hi Chrystal, we made these donuts for breakfast after we ran out of my husband’s favorite store brand and we are never going back! They are fabulous! Unlike him, I’m not gluten free but these donuts are not a compromise, they are a new staple in our household! Thank you

      Reply
      • chrystal

        October 03, 2020 at 7:19 am

        I am so glad you both love them. Thank you for letting me know.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    15. Christina B.

      October 17, 2020 at 6:11 am

      These came out great! My husband hasn't been able to enjoy donuts in years, and he was so excited to have them. And my regular-diet kids all loved them, too. Thank you!

      Reply
      • chrystal

        October 17, 2020 at 1:14 pm

        So glad everyone loved them.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    16. Jennifer

      October 24, 2020 at 6:48 pm

      These are soooo cute. Will definitely be freezing at least half though or I'll eat them all at once!

      Reply
    17. Debbie M

      November 29, 2020 at 6:18 am

      My grandson is allergic to egg whites. Will an egg substitute work in place of the eggs?

      Reply
      • chrystal

        November 29, 2020 at 6:46 am

        You can use Bob's Red Mill egg replacer or flaxseed egg in this recipe. Just note the texture may be a little different.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
      • Michelle

        January 30, 2021 at 4:20 pm

        The best recipe ever!! I have a pic of mine to share if you’d like! Thank you!

        Reply
    18. Luciana

      December 01, 2020 at 4:32 pm

      Loved the recipe!

      Reply
    19. Lauren

      December 06, 2020 at 11:01 am

      This morning, my son said these are by far the best donuts he has had since going gluten free about a decade ago! We used Bob's Red Mill 1:1 flour, and the texture was perfect. Thank you for sharing this recipe.

      Reply
    20. Julie Watson

      December 06, 2020 at 6:57 pm

      These are amazing. Thank you for sharing. My husband who is not gluten free loved them.

      Reply
    21. Kirstin Contaroudas

      February 07, 2021 at 12:56 pm

      Hello, I tried this recipe for tonight's super bowl! I followed the recipe but mine came out very dense and heavy! Could it be as there might be a difference in the American size large egg vs here in the UK? Thanks Kirstin

      Reply
      • chrystal

        February 08, 2021 at 10:34 am

        It could be the egg size, but it could also be the flour blend you used. Which blend did you use and how did you measure the flour?

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    22. Ivy

      February 13, 2021 at 10:48 am

      Hello! How would I make the holes for the dohnuts if I'm using a muffin pan?

      Reply
      • chrystal

        February 14, 2021 at 6:56 am

        Hi Ivy,
        They won't have holes, they'll be donut-muffins.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    23. Lauren

      February 17, 2021 at 12:12 pm

      Can I use almond flour for the flour?

      Reply
      • chrystal

        February 18, 2021 at 8:26 am

        Not in this recipe but you can make my paleo chocolate chip muffins and leave the chocolate chips out.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    24. Neerja

      March 11, 2021 at 9:41 pm

      My son is allergic to EGG, please suggest its substitute. Thanks

      Reply
      • chrystal

        March 12, 2021 at 1:42 pm

        You can use a flaxseed egg or Bob's Red Mill Egg replacer.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    25. Courtney Sher

      March 12, 2021 at 7:57 pm

      I didn’t have vanilla extract, but had rose water I’ve been wanting to use. Such a great substitute! They were amazing!! Thank you!!

      Reply
      • chrystal

        March 14, 2021 at 6:32 am

        You are very welcome.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    26. Susan

      March 31, 2021 at 6:59 pm

      These are amazing!! I've used the same recipe to make donut holes too. My 7yo son who is a celiac gene carrier also loves them!

      Reply
      • chrystal

        April 01, 2021 at 11:01 am

        I am so glad you both love them! Thank you for letting me know.

        Best,
        Chrystal

        Reply
    27. Diana

      April 04, 2021 at 11:06 am

      Excellent recipe and incredibly easy. Donuts came out fluffy and light, but with a slightly cake-like texture that I enjoy. Was careful not to overmix. Topped with chocolate frosting and sprinkles for my nephew's 9th birthday. Will definitely make again for myself, and put some smashed blueberries into the mix.

      Reply
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