Baked Buttermilk Frosting Mini Donuts Recipe
Introduction
These baked buttermilk frosting mini donuts are a delightful treat that combines soft, tender donuts with a creamy, flavorful frosting. Perfect for snack time or a sweet breakfast, they offer a lovely almond and vanilla aroma with a fun, colorful finish.

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Butter
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 teaspoon Almond Extract
- 1 Egg
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 2 1/2 cups Powdered Confectioners Sugar
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
- Food Coloring, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
- Step 2: In a standing mixer, combine 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon almond extract. Add 1 egg and mix just until combined.
- Step 3: Stop the mixer and add 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Turn the mixer on low and slowly drizzle in 1 cup buttermilk until fully incorporated and the batter is thick.
- Step 4: Place the batter in a piping bag and cut a small hole, about the size of a dime, in the tip. Spray two mini donut pans with cooking spray and pipe the batter into the molds until they are about 3/4 full.
- Step 5: Bake for 7-8 minutes. Allow donuts to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely.
- Step 6: For the frosting, mix 2 1/2 cups powdered confectioners sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, and food coloring to your desired shade. Heat the mixture in a microwave in 30-second increments until the consistency is smooth enough for drizzling.
- Step 7: Dip each cooled donut into the frosting and immediately add sprinkles if desired. Stir the frosting between each donut to keep it smooth and reheat as needed.
- Step 8: Let the frosting set on all donuts before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, try swapping almond extract with lemon or orange extract in the frosting.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, use a resealable plastic bag with a small corner cut off to pipe the batter.
- Use different food coloring shades to create a colorful batch perfect for festive occasions.
- Be careful not to overfill the donut pans to prevent overflowing during baking.
Storage
Store the mini donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat slightly in the microwave to soften before serving, and add fresh frosting if desired.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these donuts without a mini donut pan?
Yes, you can bake the batter in a regular donut pan or use a muffin tin as an alternative. Adjust baking time slightly and watch closely, as sizes and shapes may vary.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?
You can prepare the frosting ahead, but it may thicken or harden upon refrigeration. Gently reheat it in short intervals before dipping the donuts to restore a drizzleable consistency.
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Baked Buttermilk Frosting Mini Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Baked Buttermilk Frosting Mini Donuts are a delightful treat featuring tender, moist mini donuts made with a flavorful buttermilk batter and finished with a luscious almond-infused frosting. Perfectly baked for a light texture and easy to prepare, these donuts are ideal for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack.
Ingredients
Donut Batter
- 1/2 cup Butter
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 teaspoon Almond Extract
- 1 Egg
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Buttermilk
Frosting
- 2 1/2 cups Powdered Confectioners Sugar
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
- Food Coloring, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for baking the mini donuts.
- Mix Wet Ingredients and Sugars: In a standing mixer, combine 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon almond extract. Add 1 egg and mix just until everything is incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stop the mixer and add in 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Turn the mixer on slow and slowly drizzle in 1 cup buttermilk, mixing until combined. The batter will be thick.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the batter into a piping bag and cut a dime-sized hole at the tip. Spray two mini donut pans with cooking spray. Pipe the batter into the donut molds, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake Donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 7-8 minutes. Once done, let the donuts cool in the pans for 5 minutes before carefully turning them out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, and food coloring to taste. Heat in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between, until the frosting reaches a good drizzling consistency.
- Frost Donuts: Dip each cooled donut into the warm frosting, apply sprinkles immediately if desired, and place on a rack to set. Reheat the frosting as necessary every few minutes to maintain drizzle consistency.
- Serve: Allow the frosting to set on all donuts and serve fresh for the best experience.
Notes
- Use full-fat buttermilk for the best flavor and texture in the donuts.
- To easily remove donuts from the pans, allow them to cool slightly before turning them out.
- You can customize the frosting color by adjusting or omitting the food coloring.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, a zip-top bag with a small corner cut off can be used for piping the batter.
- This recipe yields about 24 mini donuts depending on the size of your pans.
- Sprinkles are optional but add a fun decorative touch and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: mini donuts, baked donuts, buttermilk donuts, almond frosting, easy donut recipe, baked mini donuts, homemade frosting

