These two-ingredient Cake Mix Baked Cake Donuts are too good to be true! Just two ingredients for the donuts, a container of frosting for the glaze, and in less than 30 minutes you’ll have great cake donuts ready to enjoy!
Two Ingredients, One Delicious Donut
These incredibly easy and delicious Cake Mix Baked Cake Donuts with a 1-Ingredient Glaze are too good to be true! This recipe is for my semi-homemade, fear of frying, need something quick & easy but still want them to taste amazing, donut lovers out there. You’re gonna love these cake donuts!
Do or Donut, There is No Try
It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with donuts. I mean I wear donut shoes, donut shirts, a donut necklace and all the donut shops in town know me by name. Absolutely no shame in my donut loving game!
In honor of National Donut Day, I’m sharing these 2-Ingredient baked cake donuts! “How can that be??” you might be asking. What about the flour? The yeast? The powdered sugar? The salt? Surely there are eggs? Well, they’re actually made with a cake mix and one other ingredient mixed in. I don’t use cake mixes often because I love baking from scratch, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with using a cake mix every once in a while to make life easier and to mix things up.
Stay tuned for some scratch-made, home-fried Blueberry Donuts that are still super easy and can be ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes. Once again, too good to be true!
Oh, and don’t forget about the Easy Old-Fashioned Donuts, Whole Wheat Baked Banana Donuts with a Peanut Butter Glaze, and Baked Banana Donuts with a Maple Glaze recipes that I’ve posted in the past.
Watch Me Make Baked Cake Donuts
Join me in the kitchen as I make a batch of these amazing 2-Ingredient Baked Cake Donuts!
So Many Options
So when I got this idea in my head to bake donuts with a cake mix and just one other ingredient mixed in, I ran with it and I love how they turned out! The options are plentiful when it comes to picking a flavor for these cake donuts. Just take your favorite cake mix and stir in either 2 cups mashed banana, 2 cups cinnamon applesauce, or a 15 ounce can (about 1 and 3/4 cups) of pure pumpkin to the dough.
And you’ll never believe it, but the glaze is just store-bought cake frosting that’s been microwaved for about 10 seconds. It works so perfectly as a donut glaze. I was literally doing the happy dance when this little idea of mine worked so well.
The donuts are soft and cakey and the sweet glaze coats and complements them perfectly. Oh my yum!
Ingredients and Supplies
(see recipe card at the bottom of this post for measurements and details)
Ingredients:
- 1 (13.25 ounce) boxed cake mix (any flavor, but just the dry mix): this is the key ingredient. The dry mix already contains flour, sugar, leavens, salt and flavoring to save time and guarantee a consistent result. You can use any flavor: chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, spice, lemon, etc. Gluten free cakes mixes also work if you need a gluten free option.
- Mashed banana, cinnamon applesauce, OR pure canned pumpkin: this replaces the oil and eggs usually required in cake mix directions. It provides moisture, sweetness, and binds things together to get a soft and tender donut. Greek yogurt is another mix-in option.
- Store bought cake frosting (any flavor): instead of a traditional powdered sugar + milk glaze, this hack melts store-bought frosting to create a dippable glaze. When it sets, it has that sweet, shiny finish. Any flavor of frosting works: chocolate, cream cheese, funfetti, etc. If you prefer something lighter, you can make a simple icing or even try a maple syrup drizzle.
- Sprinkles (optional): they’re a super fun add-on if you’re making them with the kids or for a party.
Supplies:
- Two 6-cavity donut pans
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Wire cooling rack
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Resealable baggie
How to Make Cake Mix Baked Cake Donuts
To make cake mix donuts, take 1 dry cake mix (any flavor), 1 mix-in (banana, applesauce, pumpkin), and 1 container of frosting (any flavor). Sprinkles are technically optional, but come on! Sprinkles are a given when it comes to donuts, am I right?! 😉 I made them three different ways to show you how.
Chocolate cake donuts: Use a chocolate cake mix and stir in any one of the 3 mix-ins and use any flavor of frosting for the glaze that you so desire! I chose chocolate pumpkin with a chocolate frosting glaze and rainbow sprinkles.
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray one (or two) 6 cavity donut pans with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cake mix (just the dry mix, no other ingredients listed on the box) with one of the mix-in options until well combined. Transfer the batter to a gallon-size resealable baggie and seal shut.
- Cut a small piece off one corner off the bottom of the baggie and fill each donut ring almost completely full with batter. You can also use a piping bag, if you have one. (Should make 12 donuts)
- Bake donuts for 7-8 minutes or until donuts are set and spring back up when touched.
- Let donuts cool in pan for at least 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to collect glaze drippings. Repeat process with remaining batter if you don’t have two donut pans.
Vanilla cake donuts: Add vanilla cake mix and apple sauce to a large mixing bowl.
- Stir together until well combined.
Strawberry cake donuts: I used mashed bananas for the mix-in and a strawberry frosting glaze! If you like a spice cake mix, go with applesauce or pumpkin and a cream cheese or plain vanilla frosting glaze! In a large mixing bowl, stir together the strawberry cake mix with mashed bananas until well combined.
Glazing the donuts:
- Heat frosting in a microwave-safe bowl for 10-15 seconds until of drizzling consistency.
- Dip one donut at a time into the frosting glaze and place upright back on the wire rack.
- If sprinkling with sprinkles, do so immediately after glazing each donut.
- Repeat with remaining donuts. Allow glaze to set for 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!
So many yummy options! The process for making these donuts is so quick and easy it’s ridiculous. You’ll be baking these bad boys (I mean that in a good way) every chance you get. You should definitely try apple spice cake mix with a cream cheese frosting glaze…sweet & simply delicious! Might be my fave!
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll stay soft, but the glaze might get a little tacky. If you’ve glazed them already, put a piece of parchment between layers to prevent sticking. If you know you won’t eat them all right away, I’d actually only glaze what you plan to serve, and freeze or store the rest unglazed — they hold up better that way.
Or you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This helps the glaze set firmer, but the donuts themselves can dry a little faster, so I’d recommend letting them come to room temperature before eating.
You can freeze the plain baked donuts (without glaze) for up to 3 months. Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature and glaze fresh
More Homemade Donut Recipes
If you love donuts, you’ll go nuts for this collection of The Best Homemade Donut Recipes. They’re so easy and so delicious. And as a bonus, I share some creative ways to enjoy store bought donuts, too!
So what are you waiting for? Grab a cake mix, a mix-in, and a container of frosting and you’re less than 30 minutes away from baked cake donut deliciousness!
If you make my Cake Mix Baked Cake Donuts, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see. If you’re on Facebook, be sure to join my Friends of The BakerMama group to connect and share all the fun and yummy recipes of mine that you make! 😍 I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the ideas I share. Enjoy!
xoxo,
Cake Mix Baked Cake Donuts
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Total Time: 23 mins
- Yield: 12 Donuts
- Category: Breakfast
Description
These 2-Ingredient Cake Mix Baked Cake Donuts are too good to be true! Just two ingredients for the donuts and a container of frosting for the glaze and in less than 30 minutes you’ll have great cake donuts ready to enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 (13.25 ounce) boxed cake mix, any flavor (just the dry mix)
- 1 mix-in (2 cups mashed banana OR 2 cups cinnamon applesauce OR 1 (15 ounce) can pure pumpkin)
- 1 container cake frosting, any flavor
- Sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray one (or two) 6 cavity donut pans with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cake mix (just the dry mix, no other ingredients listed on the box) with one of the mix-in options until well combined.
- Transfer the batter to a gallon-size resealable baggie and seal shut. Cut a small piece off one corner of the bottom of the baggie and fill each donut ring almost completely full with batter. You can also use a piping bag, if you have one. (Should make 12 donuts)
- Bake for 7-8 minutes or until donuts are set and spring back up when touched.
- Let donuts cool in pan for at least 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to collect glaze drippings. Repeat process with remaining batter if you don’t have two donut pans.
- Heat frosting in a microwave-safe bowl for 10-15 seconds until of drizzling consistency. Dip one donut at a time into the frosting glaze and place upright back on the wire rack.
- If sprinkling with sprinkles, do so immediately after glazing each donut. Repeat with remaining donuts. Allow glaze to set for 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
If using a mini donut pan, bake for about 5 minutes before testing for doneness.
Haven’t made this yet but it looks good
Would it be possible to mix the wet ingredient in the cake mix in the Ziploc bag so you don’t have to dirty a mixing bowl?
Hi, Ed! I have never tried it, but I guess anything is worth a shot!
I waited for thirty minutes and my glaze still did not set into a crispy glaze.
How do I achieve that crispy state?
Hi, Kevin! The donut in this recipe are more of a frosted donut. A glaze would be much thinner and the sugar in it would crisp more as it dries. Some of the frosting brands and flavors are thinner when melted, like the strawberry, so they will give more of a glazed texture, but most cake frostings will give the frosted texture and flavor of a frosted donut from the donut shop. Hope this helps! Enjoy!
What should we add if we want just plain chocolate donuts? I remember buying them from Winchell’s Donuts and they were terrific! Thanks for your ideas.
Hi, Kathy! Use a chocolate cake mix and stir in any of the 3 mix-ins and use any frosting glaze you so desire! Mix ins are: 2 cups mashed banana OR 2 cups cinnamon applesauce OR 1 (15 ounce) can pure pumpkin)
I made these today using a Pampered Chef donut mix I had instead of a cake mix and can of pumpkin and cream cheese frosting. Awesome! My favorite birthday cake growing up was cherry chip with cherry frosting. I am going to try that!! I would just use maybe applesauce? Love the simplicity!
What ingredient works best with lemon cake mix?
Hi Kevin! I would recommend applesauce or you could even use greek yogurt. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Could these be frozen? Would you recommend not frosting them?
Hi Kelly! Yes, they can be frozen, but I would recommend freezing them before frosting. Just let them cool completely and then wrap individually in plastic wrap and place down in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight and then either heat for a few minutes in the oven to warm them up or set at room temperature before frosting. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Can this be made with sugar free cake mix
Hi, Harriet! I haven’t made it with a sugar free mix, but it’s totally worth trying!
Can you use other pie fillings or sour cream or yogurt or something like that? Would a fruit pie filling work?
Hi Rene! I haven’t tested the recipe with any of those, but I know that others have used yogurt with great results. If you use a pie filling, I would recommend using one where the fruit is finely chopped within it so it combines well with the cake mix. The pie filling donuts would probably bake up pretty sweet. Hope this helps and that you enjoy them!
Can you use Greek yogurt instead of bananas or apple sauce?
Hi Caroline! I haven’t tested the recipe with Greek yogurt, but I know others have and they turn out great. I hope you get a chance to try them soon. Enjoy!
Hi Can you use gluten free cake mix? Also, would buttermilk work as the leavening agent?
Hi Heidi! You can definitely use a gluten free cake mix. I would not recommend buttermilk as the only added ingredient as I’m not sure it alone will give the donuts their desired texture. I haven’t tested it so I could say for sure how much to use and how they would bake up. Hope this helps and that you get to enjoy them soon!
This is not 2 ingredients!! A cake mix is many ongredients!!! Flor, sugar, soda or baking powder, etc etc. For hose of us who have made cakes from scratch, we know! Now, yes. There’s just a couple of steps, but not 2 ingredients! Lol! Allergy and food sensitive people – beware!! 🤦♀️🤣🤣
Just 2 ingredients from the store! Many recipe “ingredients” from the store have other ingredients within them so anyone with allergy and food sensitivities should always beware and use ingredients that are safe for them to eat. This is a fun baking recipe that lots of people love because it’s easy and doable, especially with kiddos.
it is 2 ingredients, the box cake mix is 1, and the other bring a choice of either , banana, applesauce or pumpkin, we are well aware the cake box has ingredients within! geez so ignorant on this!