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Looking down at three red velvet donuts with cream cheese frosting and white sprinkles on a dark surface.

Red Velvet Donuts

Baked red velvet donuts with cream cheese frosting are made from scratch with cocoa and buttermilk for a tender crumb.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the red velvet donuts
  • 1 cup all-purpose baking flour 125g
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 10g
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 100g
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk 120ml
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted 35g
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons red food coloring
For the cream cheese frosting
  • 3 ounces cream cheese, VERY soft 85g
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, VERY soft 42g
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted 240g
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk 15-30ml

Method
 

For the red velvet donuts

  1. Preheat Oven and Grease Pan:

    Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat a doughnut pan with a generous amount of grease and reserve.

  2. Mix Batter with Cocoa:

    In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, cocoa, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder with a whisk. In another bowl, mix buttermilk, melted butter, vanilla, and egg. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir gently until barely combined; avoid overworking. Mix in red food coloring until the batter is uniformly colored.

  3. Fill and Bake Doughnuts:

    Fill each doughnut cavity about two-thirds full with batter. Bake for 10 minutes, until the doughnuts bounce back upon a light touch. Allow to rest in the pan for several minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool fully.
For the cream cheese frosting

  1. Make Cream Cheese Frosting:

    Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla on medium-high until completely smooth, about 2 minutes. Lower speed to low and slowly incorporate the sifted powdered sugar. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk, beginning with 1, and beat until smooth. Raise speed to high and whip for 1-2 minutes until the frosting is airy and light.

  2. Frost Cooled Doughnuts:

    Apply the frosting to the fully cooled doughnuts.