By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On January 15, 2023
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 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 Cake Donuts
Gluten Free Cake DonutsWe rotate the types of gluten-free donuts we make, adding in variety and giving me a chance to test out new gf 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.
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.
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. These gluten free cinnamon rolls are also delicious and easy to make.
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.
Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake Donuts
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.
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
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease two six-serving donut pans; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla, and oil.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until combined.
- 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.
- Bake for 7-9 minutes or until the donuts rise and set.
- 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.
- Cool donuts on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
- Place your wire rack over a cookie sheet or piece of parchment paper.
- 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.
- One at a time, dip the tops of your donuts into the glaze.
- Place your donut back on the rack and repeat until all donuts have been dipped.
- Repeat 1-2 more times until your glaze is white.
- After the last dip in the glaze, dip the donuts into the sprinkles.
- 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.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 donutAmount Per Serving: Calories: 303Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 301mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 4g
Lyndsey Coffey
Do you freeze them before or after you frost them?
chrystal
I frost them and then freeze them so my girls can pull them out of the freezer and defrost or reheat.
Best,
Chrystal
Tami
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?
chrystal
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
Amanda
Does this work with a mini doughnut pan with 12 doughnuts on it?
chrystal
Yes, you'll need to reduce the baking time. Check for doneness after 6-7 minutes.
Best,
Chrystal
Meg
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
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
Can you freeze just the batter
chrystal
I haven't tried to freeze it. I would be worried that they wouldn't rise after defrosted and baked.
Best,
Chrystal
Debbie Block
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
You are very welcome. I am so glad you are loving my recipes.
Best,
Chrystal
Joanne
Has anyone used this recipe in a mini donut baker machine?
chrystal
Yes, a few readers have 🙂
Best,
Chrystal
Priya
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!
chrystal
I am so glad everyone loved it. Thank you for sharing.
Best,
Chrystal
Anna
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
chrystal
I am so glad you love them. Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Best,
Chrystal
Lyla
Hi mine turned into a dough what do I have to add in order to make it a batter? Thank you
chrystal
Hi Lyla,
What flour blend did you use? And how did you measure it?
Best,
Chrystal
Nikki
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
chrystal
I used to use buttermilk instead of milk. You can use either, but for dairy-free, just use a dairy-free milk.
Best,
Chrystal
Erica
Made these tonight and the whole family loved them!! Thank you!! Did vanilla and chocolate glaze FTW!
chrystal
I am so glad! Thank you for taking the time to stop back by and let me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Knight
Thank you. I was impressed with the simplicity of this recipe, that yielded wonderfully tasting donuts. 10/10
chrystal
So glad you liked it. Thank you for stopping back by.
Best,
Chrystal
Sherry
Do you think this will work with Bobs red mill all purpose or 1to1 flour?
chrystal
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
Stephanie
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?
chrystal
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
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.
chrystal
You can use a flaxseed-egg in this donut recipe 🙂
Best,
Chrystal
Dee Stec
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.
chrystal
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
Christine
These were great! I didn't miss the gluten or dairy at all! My kids devoured them!
chrystal
I am so glad to hear it. Thank you for stopping back by to let me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Netisha Singh
Can I use gluten free cake flour instead of all purpose flour?
chrystal
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
isabell
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? 🙂
chrystal
This recipe makes 12 donuts. You can freeze any leftover donuts or you can cut this recipe in half.
Best
Chrystal
Sarah
12 but you can double it or half it.
Emma
Can i substitute the all-purpose flour for something else since i don't have any on hand?
chrystal
I haven't tried other flours in this recipe, sorry.
Best,
Chrystal
CJ
This recipe is fabulous! I used coconut oil for the batter and the taste was simply divine. My friends devoured these in minutes!
chrystal
I am so glad you like it. Thank you for sharing.
Best,
Chrystal
Lynne
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:)
chrystal
I am so glad you and your 8yo loved then. You both might like my chocolate ones too 😉
Best,
Chrystal
Katherin
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.
chrystal
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
Rose
Can I use silicone donut molds?
chrystal
Hi Rose,
Yes, you can use silicone donut molds. You may have to adjust the cooking time up.
Best,
Chrystal
Sally
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.
chrystal
I am so glad you loved them. Thank you for sharing what flour blend you used.
Best,
Chrystal
Marina
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
chrystal
I am so glad you both love them. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Christina B.
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!
chrystal
So glad everyone loved them.
Best,
Chrystal
Jennifer
These are soooo cute. Will definitely be freezing at least half though or I'll eat them all at once!
Debbie M
My grandson is allergic to egg whites. Will an egg substitute work in place of the eggs?
chrystal
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
Michelle
The best recipe ever!! I have a pic of mine to share if you’d like! Thank you!
Luciana
Loved the recipe!
Lauren
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.
Julie Watson
These are amazing. Thank you for sharing. My husband who is not gluten free loved them.
Kirstin Contaroudas
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
chrystal
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
Ivy
Hello! How would I make the holes for the dohnuts if I'm using a muffin pan?
chrystal
Hi Ivy,
They won't have holes, they'll be donut-muffins.
Best,
Chrystal
Lauren
Can I use almond flour for the flour?
chrystal
Not in this recipe but you can make my paleo chocolate chip muffins and leave the chocolate chips out.
Best,
Chrystal
Neerja
My son is allergic to EGG, please suggest its substitute. Thanks
chrystal
You can use a flaxseed egg or Bob's Red Mill Egg replacer.
Best,
Chrystal
Courtney Sher
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!!
chrystal
You are very welcome.
Best,
Chrystal
Susan
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!
chrystal
I am so glad you both love them! Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Diana
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.
Kerri
We made tonight. We did regular and chocolate, with chocolate sprinkles. Do you freeze with glaze? I was Going to freeze and glaze after they defrosted. I’m the only one who need to eat GF in house but my kids ate as many as I did Thank you for this. I miss Out on so much. This has given me donuts Back! Thank you!
chrystal
You are welcome. Yes, you freeze them with the glaze.
Best,
Chrystal
Anna
I just made these for the first time for my neighbor and I. Holy moly!!! They’re amazing! Thanks for such a delicious and easy recipe. It’s the best doughnut I’ve ever made! I topped half of them with Fruity Pebbles and they turned out just as good as those I’ve had from a fancy bakery. ❤️
chrystal
You are very welcome Anna. I am so glad you love them.
Best,
Chrystal
Alexis
I just made these donuts and they are delicious! I used coconut oil but I was wondering what kind of oil you would recommend using if I didn't want that coconut flavour. Thank you for this gluten-free recipe 🙂
chrystal
Hi Alexis,
You can use a vegetable oil or avocado oil. Really any oil works.
Best,
Chrystal