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.
Is there a difference in the baking time between a metal, glass or silicon donut pan?
Hi Jacquie! Yes, I’ve found that recipes bake slower and get less browned/crisp around the edges with a silicon baking pan. I’ve never seen a glass donut pan so I couldn’t say for sure on that. I prefer my metal donut pans. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Hello, I am so excited to try this out. Do you think using sugar free cake mix and unsweetened apple sauce would turn out the same. My husband is diabetic and he loves this cake mix so it would be awesome to be able to make him so donuts he could enjoy
Hi Amanda! It’s certainly worth a try. I know the unsweetened applesauce will definitely work, but I’m not familiar with sugar free cake mixes so I couldn’t say for sure. If you’ve used the sugar free cake mix before and it bakes up similar to a normal cake mix, then it should work! Fingers crossed they bake up just as great and that your husband loves them!
I just made pumpkin ones with a Sugarfree yellow cake mix and pumpkin. I added pumpkin pie spice and they turned out Awesome!! The only downfall is the pre made Sugarfree frosting doesn’t harden up like a glaze would
Can I use yellow cake mix for the doughnuts? And if I use a cupcake pan, how much would I put in it and how?
Hi Aleesha! Yes, you can definitely use a yellow cake mix for any of the combinations. And to bake them as cupcakes, just divide the batter evenly among 12 muffin cups, filling each one about 2/3 full. They’ll bake for about 18-20 minutes. Enjoy!
How long can the made donuts (with icing) be stored? I was thinking of making them and then taking to work the next day. I can’t wait to make them
Hi Jaymee! They’re best if eaten within 3 days. Just store them in a single layer on a platter, covered in plastic wrap, at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Don’t seal them in a container as the moisture will release and cause the donuts to be wet and the frosting to start melting off. Enjoy!
> > > I am so EXCITED for this post . . . Pampered Chef is coming out with a mini donut pan Sept 1, 2018 and we’ve all been trying new ideas. These will def be part of the process of yumminess! Thanks for the idea and to everyone who shared.
Uh 1- i dislike the taste of pumpkin so that one isn’t an option 4 me.
2- i save my bananas for banana bread
3- I have the mott’s brand in my local store for applesauce but have never seen cinnamon applesauce where the heck do i buy THAT and if i don’t buy it how much cinnamon do i add to normal applesauce to get what you say is needed in this recipe as i assume normal applesauce can not be used because you specify cinnamon applesauce
Hi Amy! A few of the applesauce brands sell a cinnamon applesauce that is perfectly spiced with cinnamon and sugar, but you can certainly add your own. If you are using a spiced cake mix and want to increase the cinnamon flavor, try whisking in a teaspoon of cinnamon before stirring in the applesauce. Or you can definitely use normal applesauce and the donuts will still turn out great. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
This looks so fun, who knew cake mix could be used for other stuff? (I have to be careful now or I will try it for everything! LOL) I am a super klutz, I literally can’t drink water out of a glass without knocking it over, so I wondered about this part (I always like to follow new recipes exactly the first time, someone created it, and it worked, so why not?)
But here: “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”
I have this pic in my head of all of that spilling all over my apron and the floor. I haven’t ever made donuts but I use an ice cream scoop to get batter into cupcake tins, so I wonder if that could work. Or is it important to use the baggie?
This is my first time here and you are so nice, Maegan! I visit so many food blogs and have rarely seen such kindness and patience in the way you answer questions. I am so excited to make these! I can’t pick so darn, I might have to try all of them! Yay for “food tester” friends 🙂
Hi Lily! You’ll love these donuts! It is much easier to fill the donut pan with the batter in a plastic bag but you can certainly spoon it in. For clarification, you’ll just put the batter in a large plastic storage bag, seal it shut, and snip a small corner off of one of the ends so you can pipe it into the donut pan. This way the batter is evenly distributed around each donut and bakes up evenly. There are a few pictures within this post showing what the batter will look like in the pan before baked as well as what the plastic bag with the batter in it looks like. Hope this helps. Happy Baking & Enjoy!
Hi I just read your post & I wanted to say I have 3 cookbooks just for cake mixs (1) The cake mix Doctor (2) chocolate from the cake mix Doctor, (3) cupcakes from the cake mix Doctor. I’m sure there are so many books out there. I have had good luck with the 3 books I have. I seen these books on QVC so before I purchased them I went to the library & took them out. Then I bought them on Amazon you can buy them new or used. Good luck ????
That’s awesome! I bet you sure enjoy cooking from them. Thanks for sharing!
These are a huge hit in my house. So far I have made the pumpkin devils food and strawberry banana. I have the stuff to make pumpkin carrot, pumpkin spice and applesauce cherry chip. I doubt my kids will ever ask to go buy donuts ever again, heh.
Yay! So great to hear, Franci! Love all your flavor combos. Continue to enjoy! 🙂
Hi! Did the applesauce change the cherry chip flavor? I am ready to try the cherry chip cake with applesauce because I cannot think of anything different, but I want them to taste like actual cherry doughnuts. I tried a different recipe that just used the box cake, eggs, butter and milk, but it make them light and fluffy and I didn’t like that. Cake doughnuts are supposed to be dense. So I am hoping the second attempt with this 2-ingredients recipe will get what I was expecting with the first one. Just hoping they will be more cherry and less apple.
I just made the two ingredient baked cake donuts. They turned out wonderful. I used cinnamon applesauce. The only change I made was leaving them in the oven for 10 minutes. I will definitely make these again
I made these donuts with applesauce and they literally fell apart. Please tell me what went wrong.
Thanks
Carol
Hi Carol! I wonder if your donuts needed to bake longer? Were they too moist or too dry? Did you use just the dry cake mix (no water, oil or eggs)? Did you use a traditional cake mix? I make them with applesauce all the time and have never had issues with the donuts falling apart. Hopefully, we can figure out what went wrong with yours.