Welcome to my End of Summer Recipes Series!It’s the first day of September and we’ve officially entered what I’m referring to as the “baking shoulder season”. It’s not technically fall but summer feels as if it’s basically over. The days are noticeable shorter, there is a slight nip in the air, and thus, sweatshirts and sweaters are starting to make a come back in the cooler mornings and evenings. The farmer’s market is also indicating the season’s end. Just two weeks ago stands were bursting with all kinds of stone fruit and berries. Now, while there are still summer favorites available, produce is peppered with autumnal alternatives like early apples and persimmons. And I, still not ready to slip into fall, am pushing summer fruit filled recipes to the very brink. And hopefully, you’re on board with this too, because these Blueberry Donuts are just too good to be missed!
My Easy Baked Blueberry Donuts are well, just as the name promises. Incredibly easy to make, with a total of 10 (including the salt!) better-for-you ingredients, and bake up quickly in under 20 minutes! These donuts are made healthier by skipping the trip to the fryer, going for the oven instead. I recently upgraded my pan to an aluminum USA Pan donut pan and truly love it. It’s extremely easy to clean, baked goods come out easily, and, as opposed to my previous silicon version, is much more comfortable to transport in and out of the oven. (Now, if only USA Pan would make a mini donut pan I’d truly be in baked donut heaven.) The healthified donuts are paleo-friendly (gluten/grain/dairy free), have no refined oils or flours, can easily be made refined sugar free, and happen to be nut free! They are packed with one whole cup of juicy blueberries that give an oh-so-satisfying burst of fruity goodness in every single bite. Think blueberry pancake meets classic glazed donut. But healthy-ish.
The glaze is made with just two ingredients, powdered sugar and nut milk, and reminiscent of the classic sugar glaze you would expect to see adorning a donut at a regular donut shop. The glaze is thin, but just sweet enough, and gives that firm and flakey crust to the exterior of the donut complementing the soft and moist interior. I made my own powdered sugar with organic cane sugar to ensure the classic white glaze look, but you can easily choose any granular sweetener that fits your dietary needs. It’s incredibly easy to make powdered sugar at home, and a nice option if you’re not using this ingredient regularly and do not want to commit to a whole bag. Simply blend any granulated sugar in a high powered blender or food processor until it becomes a fine powder. Which only takes about a minute or so. Just be sure that your machine is super dry beforehand. You’ll need about half the amount of granulated sugar as the amount of powdered sugar listed. I blended a little over one cup of granulated sugar for the 3/4 cup of powdered sugar needed for the glaze. To keep this recipe strictly paleo and completely refined sugar free, blend coconut sugar until powdered and use when making the glaze. It will be just as delicious as the cane sugar version, just slightly brown in color. Or, just skip the glaze entirely if you want to keep the sugar content low. And if a sugar free version is more your speed, use Lakanto granulated sugar in the batter, and either make your own, or use Lakanto powdered sugar for the glaze.
These donuts are so easy to make and the perfect summer’s end treat to pair with your coffee or tea, a sweet breakfast on the go, or to satisfy that afternoon sweet tooth. So, hopefully these exceptionally delicious Blueberry Donuts have convinced you to stick around for just a few more summery recipes during this “baking shoulder season” before fully giving in to fall and the onslaught of pumpkin and apple-centric recipes to come.
paleo friendly (gluten/grain/dairy free), refined sugar free option, nut free
If you make this recipe, please feel free to leave a review or rating down below. And I’d LOVE to see your creation! Please tag me on Instagram @freshlydafna and use #freshlydafna.
Easy Baked Blueberry Donuts
These donuts are packed with juicy blueberry goodness and topped with an easy sugar glaze! They are made with better-for-you ingredients, and have less sugar than your conventional donuts! Don't have a donut pan? No problem! Just make these in a muffin tin!
paleo-friendly (gluten/grain/dairy free), refined sugar free option, nut free
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp cassava flour
- 1/4 cup tapioca flour
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar or other granular sweetener
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp almond milk or nut/seed milk of your choice
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp avocado oil or coconut oil (melted and cooled)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Coconut Butter Glaze
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar *see notes
- 1 tbsp nut/seed milk of choice
Instructions
Heat oven to 350 degrees and prepare donut tin by spraying or greasing wells with a little additional oil.
In a medium bowl mix the dry ingredients together until everything is well incorporated.
In a smaller bowl whisk together the wet ingredients (except the blueberries) until light and frothy.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined. Taking care not to overmix. Gently stir the blueberries into the batter.
Distribute the batter evenly into the 6 donut tin wells.
Bake the donuts for 16-18 minutes or until donuts are puffed and just turning slightly golden.
Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack with a pan or parchment paper underneath. Run a knife or spoon around the edges of the donuts if they are difficult to remove from the pan.
While the donuts are cooling, make the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and nut milk together in a shallow but wide bowl until well combined and smooth. Once the donuts are cool enough to handle, dunk the puffed side of the donuts into the glaze and move gently from side to side to ensure good coverage. Lift the donut out of the glaze, allowing it to drip off slightly and return to wire rack, it may drip a little more once on the rack.
Let the glaze harden, about 10-15 minutes, then enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Skip the glaze entirely if you want to lower the overall sugar content.
Sugar/Glaze Options
Powdered sugar can be made simply by blending granulated sugar in a high powered blender until it becomes a fine powder. You will need about half the amount of granulated sugar for the amount of powdered sugar needed.
For a white glaze: I blended a little over 1 cup of Organic Cane Sugar to create just enough powdered sugar for this recipe. Wholesome Sweet makes an Organic Powdered Sugar if you don't want to make you own.
For strict paleo: If you want to keep this strictly paleo or avoid any refined sugars, blend about 1 cup of coconut sugar to create powdered coconut sugar. The glaze will be a slightly brownish color, but still delicious.
For sugar free: To make these sugar free, use Lakanto granulated sugar in the donut batter and Lakanto Powdered Sugar for the glaze.
Donuts can be stored at room temperature for about a day or so. Donuts can be frozen, but I don’t recommend freezing these pre-glazed.
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