Zesty Lemon Donuts

Let me introduce you to a treat that’s bound to brighten up your day—Zesty Lemon Donuts. These donuts are like little rays of sunshine, bursting with vibrant lemon flavor that’s both refreshing and utterly irresistible. There’s something magical about the combination of a soft, pillowy donut with the tartness of lemon, finished off with a sweet, tangy glaze that makes your taste buds dance.

Imagine biting into a donut that’s light as air, with a hint of lemon zest in every bite. The lemon glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness while keeping things delightfully zingy. Whether you’re a fan of all things lemon or just looking to switch up your usual donut routine, these Zesty Lemon Donuts are the perfect way to add a little zest to your life.

I love serving these donuts fresh out of the oven, still warm, with that lemony glaze dripping down the sides. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk, and you’ve got yourself a treat that’s simply too good to resist. Trust me, these donuts are going to become your new favorite.

Recipe Summary in Todd Wilbur’s Writing Style

Zesty Lemon Donuts are the perfect balance of sweet and tart, offering a refreshing twist on the classic donut. These light and fluffy donuts are infused with lemon zest and juice, and they’re topped with a tangy lemon glaze that adds a burst of citrus flavor. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, these donuts are a must-try for lemon lovers and donut enthusiasts alike.

Remember It Later

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Exciting Story

I remember the first time I whipped up a batch of these Zesty Lemon Donuts. It was a Saturday morning, and my family was still snuggled in bed. The kitchen was quiet, and as I started zesting the lemons, the fresh, citrusy aroma filled the air. By the time the donuts were out of the oven and glazed, the whole house was awake and drawn to the kitchen by the irresistible smell. My husband took one bite and gave me that look—the one that says, “These are a winner.” Now, these donuts have become a weekend tradition, and my little ones love helping me glaze them. It’s become a family affair that we all look forward to.

Why These Zesty Lemon Donuts?

Selling Points

Bright Citrus Flavor: The combination of lemon zest and juice infuses these donuts with a vibrant, refreshing taste that’s perfect for any time of day.
Soft and Fluffy Texture: These baked donuts are light, airy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, offering a healthier alternative to fried donuts.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up these donuts in no time, making them perfect for a quick treat.
Perfectly Glazed: The lemon glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness and tang, complementing the soft donut base perfectly.

How to Make Zesty Lemon Donuts

Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, melted butter, egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine and Fill: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donuts tough. Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Lemon Glaze: While the donuts are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth. If you like a more intense lemon flavor, add the lemon zest to the glaze.
Glaze the Donuts: Dip the cooled donuts into the lemon glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack to set.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the donuts fresh and enjoy the bright, zesty flavor with every bite!

Tips

Don’t Overmix: Stir the batter just until the ingredients are combined to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
Zest First: Make sure to zest your lemons before juicing them for maximum flavor.
Extra Zing: For a stronger lemon flavor, add more zest to the batter or the glaze.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Vegan: Use plant-based milk (like almond or soy), a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water), and vegan butter in place of the dairy ingredients.
Lemon-Lime Twist: For a different citrus flavor, substitute half of the lemon juice and zest with lime.

Make a Healthier Version

Lower Sugar: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit in the donut batter and glaze.
Whole Wheat Option: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber.

Closing in Todd Wilbur’s Style

And there you have it—Zesty Lemon Donuts that are as refreshing as they are delicious. Whether you’re a fan of citrus flavors or just looking for a new way to enjoy donuts, these are sure to satisfy. Give them a try and brighten up your day with a burst of lemony goodness. Don’t forget to check out our other recipes for more tasty treats!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze these donuts? Yes, you can freeze them without the glaze for up to 3 months. Thaw and glaze them before serving.
What can I use instead of buttermilk? You can make a buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1/2 cup of milk.
How do I store these donuts? Store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Can I make these donuts gluten-free? Yes, use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
What’s the best way to glaze the donuts? Dip the top of each donut into the glaze, then place them on a wire rack to set.
Can I use this recipe to make donut holes? Absolutely! Simply pipe the batter into a mini muffin pan and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Enjoy baking and indulging in these Zesty Lemon Donuts! Let me know if you need any more details or have other recipe requests.

Zesty Lemon Donuts

Recipe by Alexandra

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: All Word Recipes

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

hour

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

For the Donuts:
1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 all-purpose flour
1/2 cup 1/2 granulated sugar
1 teaspoon 1 baking powder
1/4 teaspoon 1/4 baking soda
1/4 teaspoon 1/4 salt
1/2 cup 1/2 buttermilk
2 tablespoons 2 unsalted butter, melted
1 large 1 egg
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons 2 fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon 1 vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze:
1 cup 1 powdered sugar
2 2 -3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for extra zestiness)

Directions

Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, melted butter, egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine and Fill: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the donuts tough. Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Lemon Glaze: While the donuts are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth. If you like a more intense lemon flavor, add the lemon zest to the glaze.
Glaze the Donuts: Dip the cooled donuts into the lemon glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack to set.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the donuts fresh and enjoy the bright, zesty flavor with every bite!

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