Powdered Sugar Donut Cake

I am having a moment with donut cakes and nothing makes me happier. Donuts were one of my favorite treats as a kid and I’ve been taking a little walk down memory lane recreating my favorite donut flavors in cake form. This Chocolate Donut Cake is a chocolate lover’s dream and my Frosted Donut Cake is as pretty as it is delicious! And we can’t forget about this classic Old Fashioned Donut Cake. Always a hit! I’ve got even more donut cakes in the works but I’m not sure if any of them will beat this impossibly delicious, super nostalgic, Powdered Sugar Donut Cake. Made with plenty of butter, the perfect hint of nutmeg and covered in a thick layer of powdered sugar, this donut cake is a thing of magic!

Why is this donut cake so good?

I could go on and on (and on!) about how good this donut cake is. Every bite makes you feel like a kid again and who doesn’t love a donut in cake form? Whether you call it doughnut or donut, here’s why you’ll love this cake:

Easy to make. This homemade donut cake comes together in just 3 easy steps….mix, bake and sprinkle with powered sugar. No frying necessary! It’s a fun recipe to make with kids (of all ages!).

Delicious flavor and texture. This cake tastes exactly like the pretty little powdered sugar donuts we all know and love from our childhood. The crumb is soft and not too dense and you’ll enjoy a hint of that classic nutmeg flavor in every bite. This is the ultimate snack cake!

Perfect for brunch and dessert! When it comes to donut cakes, there are no rules. Enjoy this cake for breakfast, dessert and everything in between!

Ingredients

This easy donut cake comes together with just a handful of pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Flour – nothing fancy here – we’re using regular all-purpose flour. Make sure to weigh your flour for best results!
• Butter – unsalted butter works best here. Set your butter out about an hour before baking to reach room temperature.
• Sugar – the recipe calls for both granulated sugar and powdered sugar. Don’t forget to sift the powdered sugar first to eliminate any lumps and bumps.
• Eggs – set your eggs out with the butter in advance or if in a pinch, set them in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes to reach room temperature.
• Sour Cream and whole milk- like the butter, be sure your sour cream and whole milk are at room temperature. If you don’t have sour cream, full fat Greek yogurts works well too.
• Vanilla – just a splash of high quality vanilla gives an added depth of flavor.
• Nutmeg – this is the key ingredient to that favorite childhood donut flavor!

How to make powdered donut cake from scratch

This cake could not be easier to make – and it’s fun too! This homemade donut cake beats any store-bought donut and you can make it in minutes with no fancy equipment. Don’t have a stand mixer? No problem. You can use a hand-held mixer or just a bowl and a whisk. Follow this simple step-by-step guide and check the recipe card below for ingredients and detailed instructions.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Set out a 10-cup tube pan and non-stick baking spray. Wait to grease the pan until just before adding the batter.

Step 2: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Step 3: Add the eggs, one at a time. Mix well to incorporate after each addition. Add the vanilla, mixing to combine.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk and sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Scrape down the sides of the bowl once more, being careful not to over mix.

Step 5: Generously spray the sides and bottom of the tube pan with non-stick baking spray. Transfer the batter to the pan, leveling the top gently with a spatula or spoon.

Step 6: Set the pan on a large baking sheet and bake in the center rack of the oven for 45 to 50 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few crumbs remaining. Do not over bake or the cake will be dry.

Step 7: Remove the cake from the oven and cool in the pan for 10 minutes exactly. The cake will begin to pull away from the sides of the pan. After 10 minutes, lift the cake out of the tube using the center hole. Rest the cake on a wire rack until cool to the touch, about 1 hour.

Step 8: Brush the top and sides of the cake with melted butter and then dust with a generous layer of powdered sugar. The first layer will melt in to the cake a bit, so keep adding more layers as you go. Slice and enjoy!

Tips for the best donut cake

There’s a lot to love about this donut cake, not the least of which is that it’s practically foolproof. Because there’s no fancy decorating involved, it’s perfect for bakers of all levels. Follow these tips and tricks for the best donut cake ever.

Use room temperature ingredients. For best results, make sure that your butter, eggs, milk and sour cream are all at room temperature before mixing the batter. Cold ingredients will not incorporate well which can alter the texture of the cake.

Do not over mix. For a soft and fluffy cake with a tender crumb, keep the mixing to a minimum. Over mixing the batter can lead to a tough, dense texture.

Do not over bake. Keep your eye on the oven to be sure the cake does not over bake. If the top of the cake is browning too quickly towards the end of the baking time, cover it loosely with a large piece of aluminum foil. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few crumbs remaining.

Don’t skimp on the powdered sugar. This is a powdered sugar donut cake after all. Just like the nostalgic donuts from childhood, you want this cake to be generously dusted in powdered sugar so that it forms a thick layer on top.

How to store

If you don’t eat every last crumb of this cake in one sitting, store any left overs tightly covered at room temperature. The cake will stay fresh and moist for up to 4 days. The cake freezes well too! Pop any extra slices in two layers of plastic wrap and place in a large freezer bag. Defrost at room temperature before serving.

Happy baking!

Looking for more delicious donut cake recipes? You’ll love these:

• Chocolate Donut Cake
• Glazed Old Fashioned Donut Cake
• Donut Cake
• Apple Cider Bundt Cake