These baked lemon donuts are full of delicious citrus flavor. Greek yogurt is the secret to keeping them super light and moist – perfect for Mother’s Day brunch!
I always hear people say that they are either a lemon lover or a chocolate lover and I never really understood that – why can’t you be both?? If I had to pick, I (obviously) pick chocolate. But I really love lemon too! So even though I could eat these chocolate frosted donuts every day, I wanted to give lemon donuts a shot.
And wow, I’m so glad I did! These baked lemon donuts are absolutely amazing. The flavor is delicious – so fresh and citrusy. I think these would be a lovely thing to make for Mother’s Day brunch!
So as you probably know by now, I’m absolutely obsessed with baked donuts. There are so many reasons, but here are a few:
- they taste amazing
- they are so easy to make – perfect for me because I don’t like to wait too long for breakfast!
- the flavor possibilities are endless
- they actually aren’t that bad for you (depending on the variety!)
- they look impressive
- they are very photogenic
The last bullet point might not matter as much to you, but my fellow blogger friends will understand – some food just isn’t easy to photograph (I’m looking at you, blondies). Donuts love the camera – they are so darn cute!
Ok you might be thinking I’m crazy for saying donuts aren’t that bad for you. And I mean they definitely aren’t a bowl of oatmeal. But in the realm of breakfast pastries, baked donuts are definitely on the lighter end of the spectrum. There are only 2 tablespoons of butter in here – the rest of the moistness comes from Greek yogurt. Plus, the amount of batter used in one baked donut is equal to about half of a homemade muffin! So you can eat two baked donuts and it is equal to one muffin! More is more in my book, so that is definitely a good thing.
If you really wanted to cut back on the sugar and make these healthier, you could omit the icing – they are so light and moist that they taste great plain. Or, you could add some lemon juice and a little sugar to greek yogurt and do a yogurt icing. Hmmm, sounds like I just came up with my next donut idea – that sound delicious!
So even if you are a chocolate over lemon person, I still think you should try these donuts. They are perfect for springtime – so light and fresh. And they will look great on your breakfast table or brunch spread!
These baked lemon donuts are full of delicious citrus flavor. Greek yogurt is the secret to keeping them super light and moist - perfect for Mother's Day brunch!
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- zest of one lemon (about 1 teaspoon)
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3 Tablespoons Greek yogurt (I used 0% Chobani)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon greek yogurt (optional)
- lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a donut pan with nonstick cooking spray. If you have two pans, spray both of them - this makes 8 to 9 donuts.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, and egg. Add in the milk, lemon juice and yogurt, and whisk until well combined. Stir in the vanilla.
- Spoon the batter into the donut pan - I like to put a small spoonful of batter in four parts of the donut and then gently use the spoon to fill the whole cavity.
- Bake for 7-8 minutes, until just slightly golden brown - do not over bake. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool.
- Whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Add in greek yogurt, if desired (it makes the icing a little thicker) and whisk well. Add in more lemon juice until desired consistency is reached.
- Dip each donut into the icing and garnish with lemon zest.
I have a slight obsession with baked donuts…here are some of my other faves!
Chocolate Donuts with Peanut Butter Frosting
Chocolate OR lemon? I’m in the same camp as you – I’ll take both (though chocolate would most likely win out)! These donuts look perfectly tart and airy. Loving the Greek yogurt, too! 🙂
I always head chocolate and lemon ice cream when I was a kid. If I was only allowed to get one scoop I would choose chocolate (of course). But I’m with you on this. And the look great and as soon as I hear Greek yoghurt, I can only think of ‘healty’… 🙂
Those look so good! I’ll have to say, I think I’m firmly in the lemon camp, though 🙂
These donuts look amazing, Cate! I love lemon recipes and it’s great that these are baked too!
I cannot get enough of my doughnut pan lately, and these beauties are calling my name! Love the Greek yogurt!
I just love lemon in the spring! These would be great to make for Mother’s Day!
I’m totally a chocolate person. However, every now and then I’m in the mood for something lighter and lemon goodies tend to fit the bill. I love donuts, especially baked ones because then I don’t feel as guilty. These look delicious and I agree are a perfect addition to a spring brunch. 🙂
These sound so tasty and perfect for Mother’s Day brunch! You might just be twisting my arm to pick up a donut pan!
Ooh … the moment I saw ‘Greek yoghurt’ my attention was caught, Cate!
And I totally agree that baked doughnuts look great. I haven’t tried making any yet but I can’t wait to get my pan. I’m definitely a chocolate AND lemon girl so these lemon ones look and sound beautiful to me! 🙂
These are so cute! Haha yes, some foods are just not photogenic. These sure are! What a lovely light and citrusy breakfast option! Love that you calculated that we can have two instead of just one muffin 🙂 I’m sold!
These look delicious! Do you have any favorite donut pan suggestions? Thanks for sharing!
They are very photogenic indeed! We love making donuts when we have small parties or gatherings too, they’re always gone in minutes lol. I love the lemon-yogurt icing!
You are so right: Donuts are SO photogenic and the camera just loves them! I mean, who wouldn’t love donuts? 😉 These lemon donuts look simply amazing. Lemon donuts have been on my must-make list this spring, but I gave in to a chocolate craving a few days ago and made chocolate donuts instead. LOL. Love how we’re both on the same donut wavelength! Pinning these lemonie beauties!
It’s SO hard to choose between lemon and chocoate desserts for me…i love them both so much! I think lemon sliiightly edges out chocolate tho, which is why I need these donuts stat 😉
I know Amy, such a hard choice!! These donuts would definitely be perfect for you lemon loving side!
I’m so happy you convinced me to get that donut pan a few months ago. My life has never been the same, hahaha. Baked donuts are amazing! I’ve yet to try greek yogurt in them though… guess that’s next on my list!
And I am SO with you… they are VERY photogenic!
I just made donuts this morning – wish I had seen this first and then I would have made lovely lemon!
Thanks, Kelli! Try them next weekend 🙂
I’m definitely a lemon over chocolate person (heresy! I know…) and these look just peeerrrrfect to me! I bet they would be amazing with that Greek yogurt drizzle! And I agree with you, these are photogenic like woah! I’m soooo happy I found your blog!
Hi Lina! I’m so happy you found my blog too, and I can’t wait to check out yours. Thank you so much for the sweet comment!!
The print button doesn’t work in Chrome. Got it to work in IE. Going to make these for breakfast. Luv the yogurt lightening.
Hi Sharon! Thanks for the comment. I hope you loved these! Sorry the print button didn’t work – not sure why that is happening!