Pucker up for a burst of citrus sunshine! This recipe shows you how to bake light and fluffy Pink Lemonade Donuts at home. Tangy, sweet, and perfect for any occasion, these homemade donuts are a delicious twist on a classic treat.

A yummy and colorful pink lemonade donuts recipe - sugar and cloth - houston blogger

Calling all donut enthusiasts and citrus lovers! Are you tired of the same old glazed donuts or craving a refreshing twist on a classic treat?

Well, look no further than these vibrant Pink Lemonade Donuts! Our easy-to-follow recipe will guide you through the process of baking these sunshine-filled donuts right at home.

I, Alyssa ditched the deep fryer and opted for a simple baked method, making this recipe perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike. The star of the show, of course, is the delightful pink lemonade flavor. We’ll incorporate it into the donut batter for a subtle tang, and whip up a sweet and tangy glaze to take these donuts to the next level.

Imagine fluffy pink donuts with a vibrant glaze, bursting with a refreshing citrus punch in every bite. Perfect for a summer brunch, afternoon tea party, or a delightful treat any time of day, these Pink Lemonade Donuts are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. So, grab your favorite mixing bowl, preheat your oven, and let’s embark on this delicious journey together!

Table of Contents

Equipment and Ingredients Needed

Donut pan
Whisk
Large microwavable bowl
Large mixing bowl
Small mixing bowl
Red food coloring
Pink lemonade
Powdered sugar
Lemon zest
All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Baking powder
Large egg
Melted unsalted butter

How to Make Pink Lemonade Donuts

1 — Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with cooking spray or butter and set aside.

2 — In a large microwaveable bowl, melt the butter. Then, mix in the sugar and lemon zest and put it aside to cool slightly.

3 — In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, lemonade, egg, and food coloring until everything is well combined. We know this mixture might look a little odd, and the lemonade will cause the milk to curdle slightly, but I promise it’s totally ok!

4 — Into the butter mixture, add the baking powder and baking soda. Stir to combine.

5 — Lastly, gently but swiftly, fold in the flour and the liquid ingredients, continuing to fold just until combined. There may be a few spots that don’t get any food coloring, which is completely fine as you definitely don’t want to over-mix the batter.

6 — Scoop about 3 heaping tablespoons into each well-greased donut cavity, using a spoon to evenly spread the batter around (you can also gently tap the entire pan on a countertop a few times once you’ve filled all the donut cavities up).

7 — Bake for 8-9 minutes, or until the donuts are springy to the touch. Allow them to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing them to a baking rack to cool completely.

Recipe Notes and Tips

Feel free to adjust the amount of red food coloring in the donuts and icing to achieve your desired shade of pink.
For a richer flavor: substitute the unsalted butter with melted brown butter.
Don’t overfill your donut pan: This can lead to overflowing and misshapen donuts.
If you don’t have a donut pan: Alternatively, you can line a baking sheet with parchment paper and create donut shapes using a cookie cutter or freehand piping.
Let the donuts cool completely before icing them, as warm donuts will melt the icing.
How to store homemade donuts:
These taste best when eaten on the same day they’re made. (Perhaps with a cold pink emonade cocktail!?!) But they will last 2-3 days stored in an airtight container.

More Lemon Flavored Recipes to Try

How do you enjoy lemonade in the summer? Are you a purist? Do you like adding fruit to it or spiking it? What about having a shaken lemonade or adding it to food? With so many options, it’s hard to choose! You can find more of our favorite donut recipes right here and these lemon treats below: