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A stack of homemade Glazed Blueberry Cake Donuts on a white plate with a shiny sugar glaze.

Bakery Style Glazed Blueberry Cake Donuts

Enjoy the dense, moist, and deeply satisfying crumb of a true bakery-style cake donut. This recipe yields a tender, buttery donut bursting with juicy blueberries, all finished with a thin, crackly sugar glaze for the perfect textural contrast.
Prep Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/4 cups cake flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries do not thaw if frozen
  • 6 cups vegetable or canola oil, for frying
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3-4 tablespoons milk or cream

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Plastic wrap
  • Rolling Pin
  • 3-inch donut cutter
  • Parchment paper
  • Baking sheet
  • Heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
  • Deep-fry or candy thermometer
  • Spider strainer or slotted spoon
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Shallow bowl for glaze

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the cake flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg until well combined.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the melted butter with the egg. Then, whisk in the buttermilk and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to gently fold until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the blueberries.
  4. Turn the sticky dough out onto a large piece of floured plastic wrap. Pat it into a 1/2-inch thick disc, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 hours. This step is crucial for handling.
  5. Unwrap the chilled dough onto a well-floured surface. Use a 3-inch donut cutter to cut out donuts. Gently re-roll scraps once to cut more. Place the cut donuts and holes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Pour oil into a heavy-bottomed pot to a depth of 2-3 inches. Heat over medium heat to 365-375°F (185-190°C), using a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
  7. Carefully place 2-3 donuts at a time in the hot oil. Fry for 60-90 seconds per side, until deep golden brown. Use a spider strainer to transfer them to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain. Let the oil return to temperature between batches.
  8. While the donuts are still warm, whisk the powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of milk in a shallow bowl until smooth. Add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, if needed to reach a thin dipping consistency. Dip the top of each warm donut into the glaze, let the excess drip off, and place back on the wire rack to set.

Notes

Tips for Success: Maintaining the oil temperature between 365-375°F is critical. Too low and donuts become greasy; too high and they burn before cooking through. Do not overmix the batter to ensure a tender, cake-like crumb.
Variations: For a Lemon-Blueberry version, add the zest of one lemon to the dry ingredients and use lemon juice instead of milk in the glaze. For deeper flavor, use brown butter instead of melted butter. Add 1/4 tsp of cardamom or cinnamon for a warm spice twist.
Storage: Donuts are best enjoyed the day they are made. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.