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Baked Cherry Doughnuts bring a delightful bakery-style treat to your home kitchen, combining soft, tender doughnuts, juicy sweet cherries, and two beautiful layers of icing.
Unlike traditional fried doughnuts, these are baked in doughnut pans, creating a delicate texture that pairs wonderfully with their fruity flavor and sweet glaze.
The doughnut batter features all-purpose flour, superfine sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of salt.
Whole milk and Greek yogurt help create a moist, tender crumb, while melted butter and vanilla extract add richness and a lovely aroma.
Quartered sweet cherries are folded directly into the batter, giving each doughnut little bursts of fruity sweetness.
What makes these doughnuts especially appealing is their colorful finish.
A smooth cherry glaze made from blended cherries, milk, and powdered sugar coats each cooled doughnut in a naturally fruity layer.
Once the cherry icing has set, delicate circles of vanilla glaze are piped over the top, creating an attractive contrast of flavors and colors.
Optional white chocolate crispy balls add a decorative touch and a little extra crunch.
These homemade cherry doughnuts are perfect for breakfast, brunch, afternoon coffee breaks, or a special dessert platter.
Their combination of soft texture, sweet cherry flavor, and creamy vanilla icing makes them a lovely treat for sharing with family and friends.
Whether you are looking for a fruity baked doughnut recipe or a beautiful homemade bakery-style dessert, these doughnuts offer a delicious way to enjoy cherries in every bite.
Homemade Cherry Vanilla Doughnuts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, superfine sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to a mixing bowl. Whisk until evenly combined.
- Mix the Batter: Stir the beaten egg into the dry ingredients. Add the whole milk and Greek yogurt, mixing until the batter is smooth.
- Fold in the Cherries: Add the cooled melted butter and vanilla extract. Gently fold in the quartered cherries until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Prepare the Doughnut Pans: Lightly grease two doughnut pans. Transfer the batter to a piping bag or resealable plastic bag. Pipe the batter into the prepared cavities, filling each approximately three-quarters full.
- Bake the Doughnuts: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 12–16 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center of a few doughnuts to check for doneness. They are ready when the toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in the Pans: Remove the doughnuts from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for 5 minutes.
- Cool Completely: Carefully transfer the doughnuts to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely before glazing.
- Blend the Cherry Glaze: Place the 6 pitted sweet cherries and 3 tablespoons of whole milk in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Finish the Cherry Glaze: Pour the blended cherry mixture into a mixing bowl. Gradually stir in the powdered sugar, adding ½ cup at a time, until the glaze is smooth. Set aside.
- Prepare the Vanilla Glaze: Combine the whole milk and vanilla extract in a separate mixing bowl. Whisk together, then gradually stir in the powdered sugar, adding ¼ cup at a time, until the icing is thick and smooth. The icing should hold its shape for a couple of seconds when poured over itself. Transfer it to a piping bag and set aside.
- Dip the Doughnuts: Dip each completely cooled doughnut into the cherry glaze. Lift it out and gently shake off any excess glaze.
- Set the Cherry Glaze: Place the glazed doughnuts on a cooling rack. Allow the cherry glaze to set for approximately 30 minutes.
- Pipe the Vanilla Glaze: Pipe a couple of circles of vanilla glaze over the cherry glaze on each doughnut.
- Add the Optional Garnish: Sprinkle white chocolate crispy balls over the vanilla icing, if desired.
- Set the Final Icing: Allow the decorated doughnuts to rest for approximately 30 minutes, or until the icing has set.
- Serve the Doughnuts: Serve the doughnuts once both glazes have set.
Notes
- This recipe makes 12 baked cherry doughnuts.
- Use sweet cherries that are pitted and quartered for the batter.
- Make sure the melted butter has cooled before adding it to the batter.
- Mix the batter until smooth before folding in the cherries.
- Lightly grease both doughnut pans to help the doughnuts release easily.
- Fill each doughnut cavity approximately three-quarters full.
- Bake at 375°F for 12–16 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick.
- Allow the doughnuts to cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- Cool the doughnuts completely before applying either glaze.
- Add powdered sugar gradually to both glazes to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Allow approximately 30 minutes for the cherry glaze to set before piping the vanilla icing.
- White chocolate crispy balls are an optional garnish that adds a decorative finish and extra crunch.
- Allow another 30 minutes for the final icing to set before serving.
Chef’s Secret
For a beautiful two-tone finish, the most important detail is allowing the cherry glaze to set completely before adding the vanilla icing.
After dipping each cooled doughnut, place it on a cooling rack and leave it undisturbed for approximately 30 minutes.
This gives the cherry coating time to develop a stable surface, helping the vanilla glaze remain distinct rather than blending into the fruity layer.
When preparing the vanilla icing, add the powdered sugar gradually until it becomes thick enough to hold its shape briefly when drizzled over itself.
Pipe a couple of delicate circles across each doughnut instead of covering the entire surface.
If using white chocolate crispy balls, add them immediately after piping so they adhere to the icing before it begins to set.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Baked Cherry Doughnuts once the glazes have set, making them a lovely addition to breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon coffee break.
Pair them with freshly brewed coffee, black tea, or a glass of cold milk to complement their fruity sweetness and delicate vanilla flavor.
For a more indulgent dessert, serve a doughnut alongside a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of lightly whipped cream.
Fresh cherries or sliced strawberries make attractive fruit garnishes that complement the cherry glaze.
You can also add a few extra white chocolate crispy balls for a decorative finish and a little crunch.
Arrange the doughnuts on a dessert platter for birthday celebrations, family gatherings, or a homemade bakery-style treat.
Conclusion
These Baked Cherry Doughnuts are a delicious way to enjoy sweet cherries in a soft, tender homemade treat.
Their fruity cherry glaze, delicate vanilla icing, and optional white chocolate garnish create a beautiful combination of flavors and textures.
With a simple baked method and an attractive finish, they are perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or sharing with family and friends.
Enjoy these delightful doughnuts fresh once the icing has set for a sweet, bakery-inspired experience at home.
