Cake Mix Donuts

Whip up a batch of quick and easy cake mix donuts in around 30 minutes. There’s no oil and no frying involved here, just a cake mix, a donut pan, and a handful of pantry staples ingredients are all you need!

Why this recipe works

These cake mix donuts are really simple to make and don’t require any deep frying in oil. They taste similar to cupcakes, though the added sour cream gives them some moisture and a denser texture. Top them with a quick chocolate or vanilla glaze and colorful sprinkles for the finishing touch!

So, why use a cake mix? Well, it definitely saves you time from having to measure things individually but also saves you money if you don’t always have a bulk of specific ingredients laying around. While these cake mix donuts aren’t your typical fried donut, they have a unique cake-like texture while also being soft and fluffy. I would say they are similar to baked cake donuts, with the cake mix version leaning on the fluffier side.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

CAKE MIX – Grab a standard-size (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix for this recipe, the kind that uses water, eggs, and oil. You do NOT need to account for the ingredients listed on the back of the box. Just the dry mix. We’ve included the ingredients you will need to incorporate into the dry mix in the recipe card below. Please use our measurements listed.

How to Make Cake Mix Donuts

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry cake mix, oil, milk, eggs, and sour cream until fully combined.
3. Transfer batter to a piping bag.
   
   EXPERT TIP – If you don’t have a piping bag, simply add the batter to a large ziptop bag and snip off the corner.
   
   
4. Spray a donut pan with non-stick baking spray (the kind with flour works best). Pipe a ring of batter into each donut cavity. Do not fill each cavity more than 1⁄2 full.
5. Bake donuts for 10 minutes, until puffed and just beginning to turn golden.
6. Remove from oven and turn out onto a cooling rack. Continue baking batches of donuts.
7. Prepare the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, and cocoa powder, if using.
8. Dip the smoothest side of the donut into the glaze, allowing some excess to drip off and then place on a cooling rack or platter. Decorate immediately with sprinkles before the glaze sets.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Store cake mix donuts in a single layer in an airtight container kept at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Yes, absolutely! You can substitute the yellow cake mix with strawberry, funfetti, lemon, chocolate, or a white cake mix.

Serving Suggestions

We’ve included both a chocolate and vanilla glaze recipe below for you to top your cake mix donuts with. If you’d rather not top with a glaze, enjoy them as-is or sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Optionally garnish with a rainbow of sprinkles or color-coordinate with holidays or themed parties with specific sprinkles. Enjoy at room temperature.

If you’re on a donut kick, check out our air fryer donuts, lemon baked donuts, and peanut butter and jelly donuts for more inspiration.

More Cake Mix Recipes

• Cake Balls
• Cinnamon Roll Cookies
• Pineapple Sunshine Cake
• Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
• Cake Mix Brownies

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