Wild Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe
If you’re looking for a breakfast treat or a fun snack that bursts with flavor, you’re going to love this Wild Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe. These baked donuts aren’t just delicious—they’re tender, lightly sweet, and packed with those juicy wild blueberries that make every bite pop. Whether you’re a donut fanatic or just curious about baking something new, this recipe is a fan-freaking-tastic way to treat yourself and impress friends at your next brunch. Trust me, once you dive into these, you’ll want to make them again and again.
Why This Recipe Works
- Flavorful Wild Blueberries: They pack a punch of tart-sweetness, giving each donut a fresh burst of fruit that feels special.
- Baked, Not Fried: These cake donuts are baked for a lighter, less greasy treat that’s easy on the hands and the conscience.
- Perfect Texture: Tender crumb with just enough density to hold the juicy berries without being heavy.
- Simple Blueberry Glaze: A fresh blueberry glaze ties it all together with an irresistible shimmer and hint of vanilla.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Wild Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe shines for a reason. From the richness of the melted butter to the tang of the wild blueberries, each piece plays a role in making these donuts tender, flavorful, and perfectly moist. Here are some helpful tips about the key players in this recipe:
- Salted Butter: Using salted butter helps balance sweetness and adds depth; melting it also keeps the batter smooth and easy to pipe.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the bright blueberry flavor.
- Whole Milk: Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Egg: It binds the batter and gives structure to your donuts.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor and pairs beautifully with blueberries.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base ingredient that forms the donut’s structure.
- Baking Powder: Gives lift and lightness to the cake donuts.
- Table Salt: Amplifies flavors and balances sweetness.
- Wild Blueberries: The star ingredient — use fresh or frozen; frozen often makes the batter a pretty purple hue.
- Powdered Sugar: Perfect for the smooth, sweet blueberry glaze.
Make It Your Way
I love that this Wild Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe is a perfect canvas for your own twist. Over time, I’ve found adding a pinch of cinnamon to the batter gives it a cozy vibe, especially in cooler months. You really can’t go wrong with experimenting a bit!
- Variation: For a dairy-free take, try swapping milk with almond or oat milk — I’ve done it and the donuts still turn out moist and delicious.
- Seasonal Swap: If you can’t find wild blueberries, fresh or frozen regular blueberries work fine, but wild blueberries have a uniquely tart flavor that’s worth seeking out.
- Glaze Options: Sometimes I mix lemon zest into the glaze for a refreshing tang that brightens the donuts.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Wild Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Batter
First, preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC) and lightly grease your 6-hole donut pan with some butter. I like greasing the pan really well because these donuts can stick if you’re not careful. Then gather a piping bag—if you don’t have one, no worries, a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off does just fine. Now whisk your melted butter, sugar, milk, egg, and vanilla together until smooth and inviting.
Step 2: Mixing the Dry Ingredients and Blueberries
Sift your flour, baking powder, and salt directly into the wet mixture — this keeps everything airy and clump-free. Fold gently with a spatula until the flour is just halfway incorporated—don’t overmix, or the donuts can turn out dense. Time to fold in those wild blueberries evenly. If you’re using frozen berries like I often do, you might notice the batter turning a lovely purple shade—that’s your cue that blueberry goodness is happening!
Step 3: Filling the Donut Tin
Spoon the batter into your piping bag and pipe a full circle of batter into each donut cavity. Then divide any remaining batter to fill up evenly. I like smoothing the tops gently with a wet fingertip so my donuts look nice and neat after baking.
Step 4: Baking and Cooling
Bake the donuts for 13 to 15 minutes until they’re lightly golden on top and spring back when you press gently. Let your pan cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then carefully remove the donuts to cool completely before glazing—this step is key to avoid runny glaze.
Step 5: Whipping Up the Blueberry Glaze
Heat 2 tablespoons of wild blueberries until just warm (I zap mine in the microwave for 15-20 seconds). Mash with a fork, then strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve to catch those little seeds and skins. Mix your powdered sugar, vanilla, and blueberry juice bit by bit until your glaze is thick but pourable—a ribbon-like texture signals you’ve got it just right. Spoon this over your cooled donuts and let them set for about 20 minutes before digging in.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Don’t Overmix: It’s tempting to stir the batter endlessly, but overmixing makes your donuts tough—fold gently and stop when the flour streaks disappear.
- Use Frozen Blueberries: They’re more affordable and available year-round—just fold in gently to avoid turning the batter completely purple.
- Pipe for Perfect Donuts: Piping batter instead of spooning helps the donuts bake evenly and keeps a clean shape.
- Glaze When Donuts Are Cool: I’ve learned the hard way that glazing warm donuts makes the icing soak in and lose that pretty finish.
How to Serve Wild Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle a few extra fresh or frozen wild blueberries on top of the glaze before it sets for a rustic look and added fruity bite. A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds a lovely touch, too. Another favorite is a little lemon zest on the glaze for a fresh, sunny zing.
Side Dishes
Serve these donuts alongside a steaming cup of coffee or a bright herbal tea. For brunch, I like pairing them with a simple yogurt parfait layered with granola and fresh fruit—the contrast of creamy yogurt makes the donuts taste even more indulgent by comparison.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I arrange the donuts on a pretty tiered stand surrounded by fresh flowers. Drizzle extra glaze over the top for a dreamy finish, and serve alongside small bowls of berry compote or clotted cream for guests to customize their bites. It’s a fun way to elevate a simple Wild Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe into a centerpiece your friends will rave over.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These donuts are best enjoyed fresh on the day you bake them, as the glaze loses its crispness over time. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I like to place a paper towel at the bottom to help soak up any moisture and keep the glaze looking fresh.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these wild blueberry cake donuts with good results—just wrap each donut tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge so the texture remains tender, not crumbly.
Reheating
To refresh refrigerated or thawed donuts, I like warming them in a microwave for about 15 seconds or briefly in a toaster oven. This revives the softness without melting the glaze completely. Just be careful not to overheat, or you could lose that lovely texture.
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen wild blueberries in this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen wild blueberries work wonderfully and are usually more budget-friendly and available year-round. Just fold them gently into the batter to avoid turning it completely purple, and be aware that the batter might be a bit more moist from the thawing berries.
-
What if I don’t have a piping bag?
No worries! You can use a sturdy zip-top plastic bag and snip off one corner to pipe the batter into your donut pan. It won’t give the perfect circle like a fancy piping bag, but it still gets the job done beautifully.
-
How do I know when the donuts are done baking?
The donuts should be lightly golden and spring back when you press them gently with a finger. You can also insert a toothpick—if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, they’re ready to come out of the oven. Baking times can vary slightly, so start checking around 13 minutes.
-
Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
Yes, you can try substituting a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking flour blend. I recommend one that includes xanthan gum for texture. Keep an eye on baking times, as they might shift slightly, and expect a small difference in crumb texture.
Final Thoughts
This Wild Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe has quickly become one of my favorites when I want that perfect balance of fruity freshness and tender cake. What I love the most is how easy it is to whip up something that feels fancy but doesn’t take all morning. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) these as much as I do—it’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to when you want a little cozy sweetness in your day. Go on, treat yourself—you deserve it.
Print
Wild Blueberry Cake Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious baked wild blueberry cake donuts topped with a tangy blueberry glaze. These donuts are light, fruity, and perfect for a special breakfast or snack, featuring fresh or frozen wild blueberries baked into the batter and a sweet, colorful glaze made from real blueberry juice.
Ingredients
Blueberry Donuts
- 2 tablespoons salted butter (melted, plus extra for greasing the donut tin)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ¾ cup wild blueberries (fresh or frozen)
Blueberry Glaze
- 2 tablespoons wild blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (icing sugar or confectioner’s sugar)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Lightly grease a 6-hole donut tin with butter, then fit a piping bag with a large round tip and set aside.
- Make batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Sift the flour through a fine mesh sieve into the bowl. Add the baking powder and salt, then gently fold with a rubber spatula until the flour is about halfway mixed.
- Fold in blueberries: Gently fold in the wild blueberries until they are evenly distributed and no dry flour remains. If using frozen, the batter will turn purple.
- Fill donut tin: Spoon the batter into the prepared piping bag and pipe a full circle of batter into each donut hole. Divide any remaining batter evenly among the holes and smooth the tops lightly with a wet fingertip.
- Bake donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Cool the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then carefully turn out the donuts onto the rack to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare glaze: Heat 2 tablespoons of blueberries in a small microwave-safe bowl for 20 seconds or until just warm. Mash with a fork and strain through a fine mesh sieve to extract the juice, discarding solids.
- Mix glaze: Sift powdered sugar into a bowl, add vanilla and ½ teaspoon blueberry juice. Stir well to combine. Repeat adding juice ½ teaspoon at a time until the icing is thick and ribbon-like.
- Glaze donuts: Spoon the glaze over the cooled donuts and let set for 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use a digital kitchen scale for precise measurements and an oven thermometer to ensure accurate oven temperature.
- If you lack a microwave, let blueberries soften at room temperature before mashing and straining for juice.
- A piping bag with a large round tip produces the neatest results, but you can use a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off if needed.
- Allow donuts to cool completely before adding glaze to prevent soaking and ensure a nice finish.
- Store donuts in the refrigerator up to 4 days; best eaten the same day for optimal texture and glaze.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
