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Bird's-eye view of two rows of glazed donuts, one with chocolate icing and sprinkles, the other with maple glaze.

Easy Cake Mix Donuts (+ 3 Delicious Glazes)

Baked cake mix donuts with vanilla, chocolate, or maple glaze. Ready in 15 minutes using a boxed cake mix.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 18 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Donuts
  • 1 box cake mix, any flavor (I used a yellow cake mix)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup oil (I use light olive oil, but you can use any neutral-flavored oil)
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • sprinkles, if desired
Vanilla Glaze
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk
  • 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: food coloring
Chocolate Glaze
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tbsp milk
Maple Glaze
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp milk
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 3/4 tsp vanilla extract

Method
 

Donuts

  1. Preheat Oven and Grease Pans:

    Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat donut pans with non-stick spray.

  2. Mix Batter Until Smooth:

    In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix, egg, oil, milk, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer or whisk until smooth.

  3. Fill Donut Cavities:

    Pour batter into a large piping bag or Ziploc bag. Cut off a corner and fill each donut cavity to 3/4 full.

  4. Bake Until Golden:

    Bake for 10-12 minutes until donuts are light golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

  5. Cool Donuts on Rack:

    Cool in pan for 5-10 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool fully (about 10-15 minutes).
Vanilla Glaze

  1. Prepare Three Glazes:

    While donuts cool, make the three glazes. For each glaze, whisk all ingredients in a bowl. Transfer each to a shallow bowl for dipping. Each should be pourable but not runny; thin with extra milk if needed.
Chocolate Glaze

  1. Line Baking Sheet:

    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place it under the wire rack holding the donuts.
Maple Glaze

  1. Dip Donuts in Glaze:

    Dip the top of each donut into the glaze for a few seconds, let excess drip off, then invert and set on the wire rack to firm up.

  2. Add Toppings While Wet:

    Optionally, top with sprinkles, chopped candies, or nuts while the glaze is still wet.