Easy lemon glazed donuts are soft, tender, and full of bright lemon flavor with a simple homemade glaze that sets beautifully. They are baked, not fried, which makes them faster to prepare and easier to clean up. These donuts are perfect for morning coffee, spring brunch, or anytime you want a citrusy sweet treat.
Baked Lemon Donuts
This baked lemon donut recipe uses basic pantry ingredients and an easy, one-bowl batter, so you do not need any special skills to make them. If you enjoy lemon desserts like lemon pound cake, lemon bars, or lemon crinkle cookies, this is another recipe to add to your list.
Tools to Make This Recipe a Success
These tools make baked donuts easier and more consistent every time:
- Donut pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Cooling rack
- Piping bag or zip-top bag
Ingredients
Donuts
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Egg
- Vanilla
- Butter or oil
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
Lemon Glaze
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh lemon juice
- Optional vanilla extract or lemon zest for garnish
Other Recipes You Should Try:
How to Make Easy Lemon Donuts
Baked lemon donuts are super easy to make and bake fast, too. They'll be ready by the time your coffee is done brewing.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, add flour, baking powder, salt, & sugar. Mix dry ingredients.
- Add in egg, milk, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until combined.
- Add in oil and stir.
- Place the pastry bag in a pint glass and fold over the top. Add the donut batter to the bag, set aside.
- Using cooking spray or a silicone brush, oil the donut pan wells.
- Cut the tip off the disposable pastry bag and fill the donut pan wells 3/4 full.
- Place the donut pan on the middle rack in the oven.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes.
- Let cool for 1 minute, then remove from the pan and let cool on a cooling rack.
- Once the donut cools completely, top with glaze.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between baked and fried donuts?
Baked donuts are soft and cake-like. Fried donuts are crisp and richer.
Can I use lemon extract instead of lemon juice?
Yes, but fresh lemon juice gives the best flavor.
Why did my donuts not rise?
Check that your baking powder is fresh and that the pan is filled about three-quarters full.
Do I have to use a piping bag?
No, but it helps make evenly shaped donuts. A spoon works too.
This lemon glazed donuts recipe is simple to make and has the best fresh lemon flavor. They are soft, lightly sweet, and easy enough for everyday baking but special enough for sharing with friends or family.
Lemon Glazed Donuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 Tablespoons oil
Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice fresh is best
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, add flour, baking powder, salt, & sugar. Mix dry ingredients.
- Add in egg, milk, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until combined.
- Add in oil and stir.
- Place pastry bag in a pint glass and fold over top. Add donut batter into the bag, set aside.
- Using cooking spray or silicone brush, oil donut pan wells.
- Cut tip off disposable pastry bag and fill donut pan wells 3/4 full.
- Place donut pan on middle rack in oven.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes.
- Let cool for 1 minute, then remove from pan and let cool on wire rack.
- Once doughnut cools completely, top with glaze.
To Make Glaze
- Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice until desired consistency. Dip top half of donut in glaze and set on cooling rack to set. Top with additional lemon zest if desired.