Valentine’s Day Donuts are the perfect sweet treat to celebrate love and friendship. These strawberry donuts are soft and fluffy, with a light pink glaze that has just the right amount of fruity flavor. They look as delightful as they taste, making them a fun and festive choice for Valentine’s Day morning or any day you want to add a little extra sweetness.
I love making these donuts because they’re not only delicious but also bright and cheerful. The strawberry glaze is simple to whip up and gives the donuts a fresh, juicy taste that pairs perfectly with the tender dough. Plus, decorating them with sprinkles or little heart shapes makes the process extra fun, and kids usually enjoy helping out with that part.
My favorite way to enjoy these strawberry donuts is with a cup of coffee or tea while sitting down with someone special or just treating myself to a little moment of joy. They bring a smile every time, and I often find myself thinking about making them again soon. Whether you share them or keep them all to yourself, these donuts are a sweet way to celebrate any day that’s about love.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Strawberries: Fresh strawberries pureed add a natural fruity flavor and pretty pink color. You can swap fresh for frozen (thawed and drained) if needed. For a different flavor, try raspberries or blueberries!
Flour: All-purpose flour works best here for a tender yet fluffy donut. For a gluten-free option, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
Butter: Melted unsalted butter gives a rich taste and moist texture. You may substitute with melted coconut oil for a dairy-free twist.
Glaze: The strawberry glaze made with powdered sugar and puree adds sweetness and a shiny finish. You can add a small drop of red or pink food coloring if you want a brighter color.
Sprinkles: Rainbow sprinkles bring fun and color. Feel free to use heart-shaped sprinkles or omit them for a simpler look.
How Can I Avoid Overmixing the Donut Batter?
Mixing your wet and dry ingredients gently is key. Overmixing develops the gluten and can make donuts tough instead of soft and cakey.
- Pour wet into dry ingredients and stir slowly with a spatula.
- Stop mixing as soon as you see there are no dry spots left.
- It’s okay if the batter has a few small lumps — they will bake out fine.
This simple tip helps keep your donuts light and tender every time.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Donut pan – this gives your donuts their perfect shape and helps them bake evenly without frying.
- Mixing bowls – you’ll use one for dry ingredients and another for wet, making mixing easier and neater.
- Whisk – great for blending wet ingredients smoothly and mixing the glaze without lumps.
- Spatula or spoon – helps gently fold wet and dry ingredients together without overmixing.
- Wire rack – lets your donuts cool and glaze set without getting soggy underneath.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap strawberry puree for raspberry or blueberry to change the fruity flavor and color.
- Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the batter for a fresh, citrus twist that pairs well with strawberry.
- Mix mini chocolate chips into the batter for a fun surprise inside each donut.
- Top glazed donuts with crushed freeze-dried strawberries or coconut flakes instead of sprinkles for a different texture.
How to Make Valentine’s Day Strawberry Donuts?
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Donuts:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup whole milk, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1/4 cup pureed fresh strawberries (about 4-5 medium strawberries)
- Cooking spray or oil (for greasing donut pan)
For The Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp strawberry puree (additional, for glaze)
- 1 tbsp milk (adjust as needed)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Rainbow sprinkles for topping
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare, 12-15 minutes to bake, and another 20 minutes to cool and set the glaze. In total, you can enjoy your pretty strawberry donuts in about 45 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Donut Batter:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, mix the milk, eggs, vanilla, melted butter, and strawberry puree until smooth. Pour the wet mix into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. The batter should be thick but smooth—don’t overmix.
2. Bake the Donuts:
Fill the donut pan cavities about three-quarters full with batter using a spoon or piping bag. Bake for 12-15 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the donuts comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Make the Strawberry Glaze & Decorate:
Mix powdered sugar, additional strawberry puree, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust with more powdered sugar or milk to make a thick but dippable glaze. Dip each cooled donut into the glaze, allowing extra to drip off, then place back on the rack. Quickly sprinkle rainbow sprinkles on top before the glaze sets. Let the glaze firm up for 15-20 minutes.
Now your Valentine’s Day strawberry donuts are ready to enjoy! They’re soft, fruity, and festive — perfect for sharing or treating yourself.
Can I Use Frozen Strawberries for the Puree?
Yes! Just thaw the frozen strawberries completely and drain any excess liquid before pureeing. This helps prevent your batter from becoming too watery.
Can I Bake These Donuts Instead of Frying?
Absolutely! This recipe is designed for baking, which makes the donuts lighter and easier to prepare than frying. Just be sure to grease your donut pan well to prevent sticking.
How Should I Store Leftover Donuts?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you’d like to keep them longer, refrigerate for up to 4 days but bring them to room temperature before eating for the best texture.
Can I Make the Donut Batter Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the batter a few hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. Give it a gentle stir before filling your pans since it may thicken slightly.
