Classic Cake Doughnuts

Classic Cake Doughnuts have a fried golden brown exterior and ultra-tender, moist, cakey, and delicate interior. A perfect vehicle for a rich and fudgy chocolate glaze and sprinkles on top! Super easy recipe your whole family will LOVE!

📝 Ingredients

• 3 cups (381 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons (43 grams) unsalted butter, (melted and cooled to lukewarm)
• 1/2 cup buttermilk, (at room temperature)
• 2 large eggs, (at room temperature)
• 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Vegetable, canola, refined coconut oil, vegetable shortening, or peanut oil, (for frying)
• 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup*
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, (chopped)
• 2 cups (250 grams) powdered sugar, (sifted)
• Rainbow sprinkles, (if desired)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- For the doughnuts: ---
2. 2In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside. Combine butter and buttermilk in a small bowl or measuring cup, and set aside.
3. 3In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs and sugar until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract. On low speed, alternately add the flour mixture with the melted butter/buttermilk mixture, starting and ending with the flour. The dough will be soft. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or until the dough is firm enough to handle.
4. 4MAKE AHEAD: At this point, you can also refrigerate the covered dough for up to 48 hours. Let come to room temperature before proceeding with recipe as written.
5. 5Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Roll the dough out into just over 1/4-inch thickness and cut with a doughnut cutter or with a large round cutter and a small cutter for the holes. Brush off any excess flour and place the doughnuts on a lightly floured parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let the doughnuts sit at room temperature while you heat the oil.
6. 6Heat at least 1 1/2 inches of oil in a large and heavy pan to 350°F. Place three to four doughnuts in the oil at a time and fry until golden brown, about 1 minute or less per side (30 seconds for the doughnut holes). Do not overcook the doughnuts. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
7. 7--- For the chocolate glaze: ---
8. 8In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla and heat until the butter melts. Decrease the heat to low and add the chocolate, whisking until melted. Turn off the heat and add the powdered sugar, whisking until smooth.
9. 9Immediately dip the doughnuts into the glaze. If the glaze begins to set, return the saucepan to low heat and stir until liquid again. Garnish with sprinkles, if using. Let the glaze set on the doughnuts for 30 minutes before serving.
10. 10Doughnuts are best made the day they’re fried. However, you can store the glazed doughnuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days.