Name: Strawberry Donuts with Vanilla Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounces); 1 teaspoon baking powder; ⅓ cup oil; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 2 eggs, room temperature; 2 tablespoons milk; 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Sprinkles for decoration

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If you are on the hunt for a treat that brings bright, cheerful flavors and irresistible sweetness all in one bite, this Strawberry Donuts with Vanilla Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe will absolutely dazzle your taste buds. These donuts are soft, fluffy, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor from a simple cake mix base. The creamy vanilla frosting adds that perfect smooth balance, topped off with colorful sprinkles that make every bite feel like a celebration. Trust me, once you try this recipe, Strawberry Donuts with Vanilla Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe will become your new go-to for breakfast, parties, or just because.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl sits on a smooth white marbled surface, filled with one layer of thick, creamy batter that is light pinkish-orange in color. The batter is swirled in the center, creating soft textured patterns with peaks and curves, and some of it is slightly stuck to the bowl's edges. The light highlights the creamy texture, making it look soft and ready to use. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering the ingredients for this recipe is a breeze, and each one plays a unique role in crafting the perfect strawberry donut experience. From the strawberry cake mix that brings the lovely fruit flavor and rosy color to the powdered sugar that creates that luscious vanilla frosting, every component is essential for texture and taste.

Strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounces): The heart of the donuts, delivering vibrant flavor and a tender crumb.
Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps add a little extra lift to your donuts, keeping them light and fluffy.
Oil (⅓ cup): Keeps your donuts moist and tender without weighing them down.
Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons): Adds richness and a silky mouthfeel.
Eggs (2, room temperature): Bind the ingredients and contribute to a fluffy texture.
Milk (2 tablespoons, plus more for frosting): Keeps the batter smooth and helps the frosting achieve the perfect consistency.
Powdered sugar (1 ½ cups): The key to creamy vanilla frosting with the ideal sweetness.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses the frosting with a warm and comforting flavor.
Sprinkles: Adds a festive, crunchy contrast and a pop of color to your donuts.

How to Make Strawberry Donuts with Vanilla Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe

Step 1: Make the Batter

Start by combining the strawberry cake mix and baking powder in a medium bowl. These dry ingredients form the base and ensure your donuts rise just right.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together oil, melted butter, and eggs until smooth and fully blended — these bring moisture and richness to your batter.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry

Add the wet ingredients into the dry mix and stir until you get a smooth, slightly sticky batter. It’s important not to overmix because you want the donuts to stay tender.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes up to 24 hours. Chilling helps develop the flavors and makes the batter easier to pipe into the donut pans.

Step 5: Prep and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly spray your donut pan with nonstick spray. Pipe the batter into the pan using a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner cut off, filling each cavity about one-third to half full to maintain that classic donut hole. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes until the edges look crisp but be careful not to overbake — they might still look slightly underdone in the middle.

Step 6: Cool Completely

Let the donuts sit for 5 minutes in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring the frosting won’t melt when applied.

Step 7: Make the Vanilla Frosting

In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust thickness by adding more powdered sugar if too thin, or a bit more milk if it’s too thick to dip.

Step 8: Frost and Decorate

Dip the cooled donuts halfway into the frosting, allowing excess to drip off, then place them back on the rack. Immediately sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles for that whimsical pop of color and texture.

How to Serve Strawberry Donuts with Vanilla Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe

Five round donuts with light pink glaze sit on a silver cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each donut has colorful sprinkles on top, including long white sticks, small round blue, yellow, red, and green dots, and flat balloon-shaped pieces in blue, red, and yellow. To the right, a white bowl is filled with a mix of the same colorful sprinkles. The glaze looks smooth and shiny, and the donuts have a soft, slightly textured surface under the glaze. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

While sprinkles already add a festive touch, you can elevate your presentation by adding fresh strawberry slices, edible flowers, or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a delicate finish. These little extras create visual interest and an extra boost in flavor.

Side Dishes

Serve these donuts alongside a fresh fruit salad or a creamy latte for a complete and satisfying snack or breakfast. The fruity sweetness of the donuts pairs wonderfully with citrusy or creamy sides that complement rather than overpower them.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your strawberry donuts on a colorful cake stand or stack them in a tiered display for parties. You could even make mini donut towers by stacking them with layers of fresh berries and piped whipped cream. These presentation ideas make your Strawberry Donuts with Vanilla Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe an irresistible centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover donuts fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Avoid refrigerating as this can dry them out. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is the way to go.

Freezing

Wrap individual donuts tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze well for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a couple of hours.

Reheating

For freshly baked warmth, reheat donuts gently in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a toaster oven at low heat for 3 to 5 minutes. This revives the softness without melting the frosting completely, especially if you add frosting after reheating.

FAQs

Can I make these donuts gluten-free?

Using a gluten-free strawberry cake mix is an easy swap if you require gluten-free options. Just make sure the other ingredients you use, like baking powder, are also gluten-free certified.

What if I don’t have a donut pan? Can I still make this recipe?

If you don’t have a donut pan, you could bake the batter in muffin tins for cupcake-style treats or try shaping and frying them for classic donuts, though baking times and textures will vary.

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of cake mix?

This recipe relies on strawberry cake mix for texture and flavor, but you could incorporate fresh strawberries into a scratch donut batter recipe. However, the Strawberry Donuts with Vanilla Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe as shared works best with the cake mix base.

How do I make the frosting without vanilla extract?

If you don’t have vanilla extract, you can omit it or substitute with almond extract for a different but equally delicious flavor. Just use about half the amount since almond extract is stronger.

Can these donuts be made vegan?

This specific recipe uses eggs and butter, so it’s not vegan. However, you can experiment by replacing eggs with flax eggs and butter with plant-based alternatives to create vegan-friendly strawberry donuts, though texture may vary.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Donuts with Vanilla Frosting and Sprinkles Recipe is truly a joyful way to brighten any occasion or start your day with a smile. The perfect balance of sweet strawberry and creamy vanilla frosting with a sprinkle of color is nothing short of delightful. I encourage you to dive in and make these for your loved ones — they’ll thank you, and you’ll be hooked, guaranteed!