Vanilla Cardamom Baked Doughnuts

Oh, do I have a treat for you today: soft, delicious vanilla cardamom baked doughnuts. Honestly? In the past I haven’t been a huge fan of doughnuts. Every once in a while I get in the mood for a good maple bar, but usually they’re just too greasy for me. But these baked doughnuts have changed my mind! Full of that delicious doughnut flavor, but way less oily. These doughnuts are a perfect happy medium and definitely the best doughnuts I’ve ever tasted!

I have to admit that I was a little worried that doughnuts would be difficult to make. You know when you’ve never made a certain food before, and you feel intimidated by the unknown? That was me! I was pleasantly surprised to find that these are such a quick and easy dessert. Perfect for a special brunch or cozy weekend breakfast at home. I’m also going to file this recipe away as a perfect housewarming or bringing baby home gift!

Let’s talk about the flavors in these vanilla cardamom baked doughnuts for a minute.

Cardamom: Have you tried cardamom before? It’s my all-time favorite spice, even above cinnamon. It has an almost citrusy, herbal taste, with maybe even a slight hint of mint. I feel like it’s a lighter flavor compared to the warm taste of cinnamon. Soooo good! The cardamom flavor in these doughnuts is subtle but definitely present, and a really fun and special flavor that everyone will ask about!

Vanilla: we all know what vanilla tastes like! Often vanilla plays a supporting role in baking, acting as more of a flavor emulsifier than the key flavor itself. Not the case in these doughnuts! You can definitely identify the vanilla flavor here, and it’s so delicious paired with the cardamom!

Buttermilk/ Sour Cream: Not exactly a “flavor”, but the buttermilk and sour cream in these doughnnuts result in a fluffy, moist baked good. So delicious! And a very slight tang that’s so good paired with sweet vanilla and spicy cardamom.

Vanilla Cardamom Baked Doughnuts

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

• Author: Kirsten Bell
• Prep Time: 15 Minutes
• Cook Time: 10 Minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 Doughnuts 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

Quick and easy baked doughnuts. A healthier (and more flavorful!) version of the classic!

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1 egg
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Topping:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and grease two doughnut pans with nonstick spray (I love these doughnut pans). I use this coconut oil spray, and love it! You won’t taste the coconut at all, I promise.

Whisk together the dry ingredients, flour through cardamom. In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat together the egg, sugar, buttermilk and sour cream. Then add the butter and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients, and mix on the lowest speed possible, making sure not to overmix in this step.

Time to bake! Spoon the batter into a large ziplock bag, and snip off a small corner of the bag. Then pipe the batter into each well of the doughnut pan – about 2/3 full. Much easier than trying to spoon it in!

Bake for about 10-11 minutes, or until the edges are slightly browned. Let the doughnuts cool in the pan for a few minutes, and then transfer to a cooling rack.

To top the doughnuts: I prefer to only dip half of the doughnuts into the sugar mixture. Dip each doughnut into the melted butter, and then into the sugar. If you want fully sugared doughnuts, just be sure to double the ingredients!

---

Looking For More Brunch Ideas? Here You Go!

• Honey Cake with Peach Mascarpone Frosting
• Lemon Blueberry Muffins
• Ham and Cheese Scones
• Peach Bellini Cupcakes