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These light and airy blueberry oven-baked donuts turn a traditionally deep-fried treat into a more nutritious morning meal without losing any taste. Fresh from the oven, they're soft inside with bursts of sweet blueberries throughout - just what you need for fancy weekend breakfasts or to make weekday mornings more special.
I came up with this on a drizzly weekend when my kids wanted something tasty but I didn't want to deal with greasy store donuts. They've now become our family's weekend ritual, and everyone comes running to the kitchen to pick their favorite toppings.
What You'll Need
- Any milk: Adds the right moisture and can be whatever type you like - regular or plant-based
- Apple cider or white vinegar: Teams up with baking powder to help donuts rise nicely
- Real vanilla extract: Brings that cozy flavor that makes baked goods taste amazing
- Honey, maple syrup, or agave: Gives natural sweetness instead of white sugar
- Oil: Makes the donuts soft but you can swap in mashed banana or applesauce for a no-fat version
- Flour: Regular, spelt or gluten-free mixes all work great, so you can match your dietary needs
- Salt: Brightens up all the flavors and cuts through sweetness
- Baking powder: The secret to getting soft, puffy donuts
- Cinnamon or cardamom if you want: Adds a lovely warm taste that goes really well with blueberries
- Blueberries (fresh or frozen): Pop with juicy flavor and make pretty blue-purple swirls in your donuts
Making Your Donuts
- Mix Your Wet Stuff:
- Stir together milk, vinegar, vanilla, syrup, and oil in a bowl and let it sit. The vinegar will make the milk a bit thicker, which gives your donuts a better texture and keeps them moist and tender.
- Get Your Pan Ready:
- Coat your donut pan really well with oil or cooking spray. If you don't have a donut pan, a mini muffin tin works too. Turn your oven on to 350°F so it gets nice and hot for even baking.
- Blend Your Dry Stuff:
- In another bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, and spices if you're using them. Giving these a good stir means your donuts will rise evenly and won't have any powder pockets.
- Put Everything Together:
- When the oven's hot, pour your wet mix into the dry mix. Stir just until it all comes together - don't go crazy mixing or your donuts might get tough. You just want to get rid of any dry flour spots.
- Deal With The Blueberries:
- You can gently fold them into the batter or push them into each donut after you've filled the pan. If you're using frozen ones, make sure they're thawed and patted dry so they don't make your batter too wet.
- Pop Them In The Oven:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until they've puffed up and don't feel wet when you lightly touch them. Depending on what flour you used, you might need to adjust this time a little bit.
- Let Them Rest:
- Leave the donuts in the pan for exactly 5 minutes after baking. This helps them firm up just enough to come out cleanly. Then gently move them to a cooling rack.
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Blueberries really make these donuts special. After lots of testing, I found that adding them right at the end gives the prettiest look. My little girl loves to help by carefully placing berries into the batter, and she says she's making "blueberry star patterns" in each donut.
Storing For Later
These berry donuts can go right in the freezer for up to three months. Just let them cool all the way, wrap each one in plastic, and put them in a freezer bag. When you want one, leave it out for about an hour or zap it in the microwave for 20 seconds. It's perfect for busy mornings when you want something extra tasty without any work.
Mix It Up Ideas
You can switch things around so easily with this recipe. Try using raspberries, chocolate chips, or small apple chunks instead of blueberries. For something tangy, mix lemon zest into the batter and drizzle with lemon icing. People who can't eat gluten tell me that using a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour works perfectly without changing anything else in the recipe.
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Finishing Touches
These donuts taste great plain, but the right topping takes them to another level. Try an easy mix of powdered sugar and a little milk, or go for something different with coconut butter. My favorite morning option is a thin layer of cream cheese frosting with a touch of maple syrup - it's not too sweet and goes perfectly with your coffee or tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use frozen blueberries?
Sure, either fresh or previously frozen blueberries work just fine. If frozen, let them thaw first before adding them in.
- → What flour options work here?
You can pick between all-purpose flour, spelt flour, or a gluten-free one. Go with what fits your needs.
- → How can I avoid dense donuts?
Just mix the wet ingredients into the dry ones lightly until combined. Stirring too much can make the donuts thick and heavy.
- → Can I skip the oil?
Absolutely! Swap the oil for either mashed banana or applesauce for a lighter choice without any added fats.
- → What’s the baking time?
Pop the tray in the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes at 350°F, or until the tops are set and no longer wet.