• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Zest for Baking

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
    • Bagels
    • Biscuits
    • Bread Machine
    • Cake
    • Cookies
    • Cupcakes
    • Donuts
    • Frostings
    • Muffins
    • Pancakes
    • Quick Bread
    • Rolls
    • Sandwich Bread
    • Scones
    • Snacks
    • Gluten Free Side Dishes
    • Waffles
    • Yeast Breads
  • Resources
    • Baking Tips
    • Gluten Free Flours
    • Using Substitutes
  • About
    • Get 15 Free Gluten Free Bread Recipes!
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
  • Classes & Books
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • Recipes
    • Resources
    • About
    • Classes & Books
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Donuts

    Tender Gluten Free Cake Donuts {Baked}

    Published: Jun 20, 2019 · Modified: Sep 9, 2022 by Christine · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    What’s better than a delicious tender donut on a Saturday morning? Other than sharing it with the people you love… I’d say nothing! With a tender crumb and a light texture, a gluten free cake donut is just about the best thing to enjoy on a lazy day.

    gluten free cake donuts baked with chocolate glaze on top.

    This recipe is also known as 'Anytime-is-a-Good-Time for Tender Gluten Free Cake Donuts' for a reason – it wasn’t exactly early morning, but it wasn’t quite lunchtime, but everyone wanted donuts! Add in the fact that I had a brand new donut pan (this is the one I bought), that was calling out for a batch of donut batter, whipping up a batch of donuts sounded like something I could agree to.

    So in about a 30 minute time frame, donuts were done and on the table. Yum.

    gluten free cake donuts cinnamon sugar stacked on a white plate.

    Tips for Making Baked Gluten Free Cake Donuts 

    Gluten free cake donuts are very similar to other baked donuts (like these carrot cake donuts!), but there are a few tips that will ensure you get the best results and the best tasting donuts.

    Alternate the ingredients

    If you’ve ever heard the phrase ‘alternate the ingredients’ and wondered if there’s actually a method for doing this right, you are not the only one! Alternating ingredients plays a big role in the success (or failure) of a recipe – it helps maintain consistency and ensure that the batter does not separate. In the case of these baked donuts, flour and milk are added gradually to the butter and sugar so it doesn’t get overloaded with ingredients at one time.

    Batter will be very liquid-y

    gluten free baked donuts batter in the baking pan.

    Gluten free batter is very different from other batters. Bread dough looks like cake batter and muffin and donut batter looks like soup. Resist the temptation to add more flour to it to thicken it up. It is supposed to look like that. This gluten free cake donut batter is no different. That’s why the batter goes into the plastic bag – to make pouring it into the pan A Lot easier and less messy.

    Chocolate glaze consistency

    gluten free cake donuts chocolate glazed with a bite.

    There’s a range listed for the milk used in the glaze recipe because it really depends on how thick or pourable you want the glaze. 2 Tbsp. could be enough or you may need the full 4 Tbsp. Start small and add a little at a time.

    Tools for Making Gluten Free Cake Donuts

    If you have these tools on hand, you'll have have delicious donuts in no time!

    Donut baking pans - the regular size pans make the perfect sized donuts. With just a quick spray, they are ready to use!

    Large plastic bag - seems like an unusual tool right?! Well, a large bag makes portioning out this batter incredibly easy. In fact, I'd say it's a must-have. 

    Rubber spatula - this is a great tool for not just these donuts, but any bread recipe. It's a kitchen essential.

    Small mixing bowls - these come in really handy when mixing up the donut topping and glaze. 

    Wire rack - glazing is so much easier and virtually mess free when the donuts are sitting on a wire rack with wax paper underneath. Which brings me to the last essential item...

    Wax paper - the uses for wax paper goes on and on. But chocolate glaze drips top the list here! 

    gluten free cake donuts cinnamon sugar

     

    gluten free cake donuts baked

    If you enjoy this recipe, will you give it a rating?! 

    gluten free cake donuts baked with chocolate glaze sitting on a rack.

    Gluten Free Cake Donuts (Baked)

    Anytime is a good time for Gluten Free Cake Donuts! These
    baked donuts are mouth watering delicious and the recipe has two topping options
    – cinnamon sugar and chocolate glaze – yum!
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, bread, Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 12 donuts
    Calories: 373kcal
    Author: Christine

    Ingredients

    • 2 ⅔ cup gluten free bread flour mix
    • ¼ tsp. xanthan gum
    • 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
    • ¼ tsp. baking soda
    • ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
    • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
    • ½ tsp. salt
    • ¼ cup butter softened
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • ⅓ cup brown sugar
    • ½ cup white sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup milk room temperature

    Cinnamon Sugar Topping

    • ¼ cup butter melted
    • ⅓ cup white sugar
    • 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon

    Chocolate Glaze Topping

    • 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 4 Tbsp. cocoa powder
    • 2 – 4 Tbsp. milk
    • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

    Instructions

    Donuts

    • Preheat oven to 425 Spray two regular, 6-donut size donut pans with cooking spray. Set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, add the flour mix, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Use a whisk and mix until fully incorporated.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl for a handheld mixer, add the butter, oil and brown and white sugars. Beat until creamy.
    • Stop the machine and add in the eggs and the vanilla. Mix well.
    • Using an alternating pattern and with the mixer running, start by adding 3 large spoonfuls of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low. Add ⅓ cup of the milk and let mix for a few seconds. Continue this pattern, ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined.
    • Pour the batter into a large galloon bag and seal. Snip about ½ inch off of a corner and use this to fill the prepared donut pan. The batter should hit the top of the rim, but not run out.
    • Bake for 8 – 10 minutes or until toothpick tests done. Let cool for a few minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack.

    Cinnamon Sugar Topping

    • Add the butter to a bowl with a semi flat bottom (enough to fit the donut in). In a small bowl, combine the sugar with the cinnamon.
    • Dip one donut top into the butter and then into the cinnamon sugar.

    Chocolate Glaze Topping

    • In a medium bowl, mix the powdered sugar and cocoa. Add the milk and vanilla and mix until pourable consistency.
    • Drizzle over each donut and let set.

    Notes

    • Make sure to alternate the flour and the liquid into the batter.
    • For less mess wen filling the pans, use a large plastic bag and snip off a small corner.
    • Either topping can be used for these cake donuts.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 201mg | Potassium: 194mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 315IU | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @zest_for_baking or tag #zestforbaking!

    Also try these other delicious gluten free recipes:

    • Gluten Free Blueberry Donuts
    • Gluten Free Breadsticks
    • Gluten Free Dairy Free Dinner Rolls
    • Gluten Free White Bread Without Xanthan Gum

    And check out these baking tips:

    • How to Substitute Xanthan Gum in Gluten Free Baking
    • 5 Alternatives to Xanthan Gum and Guar Gum
    • How to Substitute for Potato Starch and Potato Flour

    Reader Interactions

    Previous Post Potato Buns (Gluten & Dairy Free)
    Next Post Flourless Gluten Free Mini Muffins: Just Blend and Bake!

    Comments

    1. Sylvia Ricks

      June 25, 2020 at 7:06 pm

      5 stars
      They a turned out beautiful. I used the Wilton 20 3-inch Pan. Such a positive experience, I used the Cup for Cup. Using the gallon zip bag worked perfectly. Thanks

      Reply
      • Christine

        June 26, 2020 at 8:34 am

        Hi Sylvia,

        So happy you enjoyed them! Love that plastic bag for piping right?!

        ~Christine

        Reply
    2. james mccartney

      October 31, 2020 at 6:37 pm

      5 stars
      The doughnuts are light and very tender

      Reply
      • Christine

        November 02, 2020 at 12:38 pm

        Thanks James - so glad you enjoy them!

        ~Christine

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Christine Brady.

    Hi, I'm Christine, a gluten free baker living in sunny Texas! Zest for Baking is where you'll find gluten free (and dairy free) recipes, tips for substituting ingredients and help navigating the world of gluten free baking.

    More about me →


    Easter Baking

    • Gluten Free Blueberry Cake
    • Traditional Gluten Free Easter Bread
    • Gluten Free Hot Cross Buns (With Dairy Free Option)
    • Pull-Apart Gluten Free Parmesan Rolls (Dairy Free)
    • The Very Best Gluten Free Dinner Rolls {Dairy Free}
    • One-Bowl Gluten Free Strawberry Cake {Dairy Free}

    Cookbooks make great gifts!

    up close image of book cover

    Gluten Free Baking Help

    • 6 Best Substitutes for Psyllium Husk Powder
    • The Top Substitutes for Millet Flour
    • The 8 Best Sweet Rice Flour Substitutes
    • 7 Best Cassava Flour Substitutes
    • Top 9 Arrowroot Flour Substitutes
    • Top 4 Teff Flour Substitutes

    More baking help

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Featured On

    About


    Since 2013, Christine has been helping readers with gluten free baking challenges and substitution issues, all while creating delicious gluten free baking recipes that no one would guess are actually gluten free. Her Zest For Baking recipes have been featured on The Daily Meal, Bloglovin' and Dr. Axe, to name a few. When she's not hanging out on Facebook or sharing pictures on Instagram or pinning on Pinterest, you can find her in her kitchen, creating more ZestForBaking.com recipes!

    Browse


    • Start Here
    • Guide to Gluten Free Flour Substitutes
    • Alternatives to Xanthan Gum & Guar Gum
    • Gluten Free Oat Flour Substitutes
    • Gluten Free White Bread Recipe
    • Soft Gluten Free Breadsticks
    • Gluten Free Dairy Free Dinner Rolls
    • Millet Flour Biscuits
    • Gluten Free Baking Masterclass
    • Classes & Products

    Information


    About

    Contact

    Privacy

    Terms of Use

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2023 | Zest For Baking | Privacy Policy 

    • 198