Baked Doughnuts

Baked Donut Ingredients

Biscuits: These donuts start with Pillsbury™ Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits. The flaky, fluffy dough of the biscuits will transform in the oven, especially when you add the other ingredients.

Butter: One of the classic donut ingredients, used here a bit differently. When you cut the biscuits into shape and dip them in butter, that changes the way they’ll bake in the heat of the oven.

Sugar: Finally, the sugar coating will melt and caramelize into a crunchy glaze, giving your baked donuts that sweet donut shop quality crunch.

That’s it! Just three ingredients. This recipe is designed to make it easy and accessible to enjoy donuts any time, for bakers at any skill level.

How to Make Baked Donuts

The true secret of this baked donut recipe is its simplicity. Just 15 minutes of prep, 30 minutes total. Anytime you want a snack or a dessert, just pop open some Pillsbury™ Flaky Layers Buttermilk Biscuits.

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Then simply separate the dough into 12 biscuits. Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter, cut a hole in the center of each biscuit—making it a donut. If you don’t have a cookie cutter, you can use a cap from a soda bottle, or cut carefully with a knife. Dip both sides of each biscuit in melted butter, then into the sugar. Do the same with the holes you’ve cut out for bonus donut holes!

Then it’s as simple as baking for 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they take on a delicious, golden brown color. Get them while they’re hot! These baked donuts taste best warm.

Baked Donut Finishing Touches

One of the best donut ingredients might not even be in the dough! If you want to take this baked donut recipe to the next level, it’s all about the toppings.

Our recipe for a Basic Powdered Sugar Glaze is a great place to start. Sugary sweet, made from just a handful of everyday ingredients, it’s as simple as stirring it up, and drizzling it on.

But that’s not the only way to top baked donuts. Try some of these other fun finishing touches.

Chocolate Dip

Melt some chocolate and dunk each donut halfway for a stylish dipped treat.

Frosted

You can also use your favorite variety of frosting to add a layer of creamy sweetness. Add sprinkles for an extra crunch and a splash of color.

Flavored Glaze

Why not go for a glaze that has an extra flavor going on? Try some of the glazes in our Choose-A-Glaze Doughnuts page with multiple recipes to choose from! Although it calls for fried donuts, baked donuts will work just as well.

Classic Plain

Sometimes it’s best not to mess with perfection. The perfectly-fluffy dough of these baked donuts tastes amazing all on its own. Whatever topping you choose is strictly a personal preference.

Storing Baked Donuts

If you have leftover baked sugar donuts, it’s best to store them in an airtight container, such as a bag or a container with a lid. You can wrap them in foil or plastic wrap, but they won’t last as long. In the fridge, donuts will keep for five to six days. Or, you can freeze them for up to three months. It’s important to note a thick glaze will melt when you heat the donuts. Defrost them in the fridge to keep the frosting intact. To get back that fresh-from-the-oven texture, simply pop a donut in the microwave for about 15 seconds. If you opted for a glaze, reduce the microwave power to 50% to avoid heating the sugary topping too much.