Baked Lemon And Poppy Seed Donuts

Alright, I'm totally in donut mode now.

There is something about baked donuts that sparks joy in people. Myself included. They always come up perfectly round and beautifully baked and it’s just pure deliciousness in the comforting shape of a donut. 

You do need a special tin (these are so essential to my life that I have two..) but I promise it is worth it! I don't love deep-frying food, and this is a perfect compromise to still allow donuts in your life if you're like me.

Basically the sky is the limit with these. I have done a few variations in the past (chocolate, strawberry, cinnamon), and it made sense to give it a go in lemon form!

The lovely glaze is easy to whip up, tart and sweet and makes a perfect addition to the spongy cakey goodness of the donut.

Makes approx. 16 donuts

Ingredients

• 250g plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tbsp poppyseeds
• Pinch salt
• 50g melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 150g granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla sugar (or a few drops vanilla extract)
• 250ml buttermilk (or ½ regular milk and ½ plain yogurt)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of ½ lemon

Ingredients for the glaze

• 30g butter, melted
• 200g icing sugar
• 40-50ml milk
• Juice of ½ lemon

                                                             

Method

Preheat the oven to 175 degrees.

Mix together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, poppy seeds and salt) and set aside.

In a different bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, sugar, milk, vanilla, lemon juice and zest until combined.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet. Mix until just combined.

Grease your donut pan and fill each hole to over half full. If you have piping bags, piping the mixture into the holes is A LOT neater.

Bake for 10 minutes.

Allow to cool for a few minutes before loosening from the tin. I use a plastic knife to run around the outside of the donuts and this makes them fall out easier (see my previous post). Set on a wire rack to cool.

Whip up the glaze – mix together the butter, lemon juice and icing sugar. Then add the milk until you have the consistency desired.

Dip the donuts in the glaze and set back on the rack (some greaseproof paper under the donuts helps clean up!).

Allow to dry, then chow down!