Cake Mix Donuts are the easiest way to make donuts for a quick family breakfast! These strawberries and cream donuts are baked in the oven in no time, and then topped off with a delicious powdered sugar glaze.

overhead view of strawberry donuts on a wire cooling rack.

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What’s in a Strawberry Donut?

Turns out you can use cake mix to bake donuts at home. It’s so easy and quick, much better than trying to fry them or make them from scratch!

  • Cake Mix: Grab a standard box of strawberry cake mix for these strawberry donuts.
  • Eggs: Bind the cake mix together to create a rich batter.
  • Butter: Unsalted butter adds fat and flavor to these donuts.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds moisture to these donuts.
  • Powdered Sugar: Mixed with more heavy cream to form the base of the icing.
  • Strawberries: Fresh strawberries give the icing delicious, fresh flavor!

Pro Tip: You can also use white or yellow cake mix for a subtler strawberry flavor.

Variations on Cake Mix Donuts

You could easily change this recipe into other flavors simply by switching out the cake mix. We’re using strawberry here, but you could also buy vanilla, chocolate, or even birthday cake mix to make these donuts! That would be something fun to experiment with for family breakfasts.

step by step photos for how to make strawberry donuts.
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Do baked donuts taste the same as fried donuts?

Because baked donuts are made without yeast, they have more of a cake/muffin texture than a doughy, bread-like texture.

How can I make cake mix donuts gluten free?

To make these donuts gluten-free, simply use your favorite brand of gluten-free strawberry cake mix!

Do I have to use a donut tin?

I have only ever made these donuts in a donut tin, but I have heard of readers having success baking them in a muffin tin with a small ball of aluminum foil set in the middle. You’ll need to spray extra well with nonstick spray, though!

Why are my donuts dry?

Sometimes, baked donuts have a tendency to be a little bit dry if cooked for too long. If you follow my recipe exactly, this should be easily avoided, but it can happen to even the best of us! Don’t worry, though. You won’t need to toss out the donuts. You can remedy their dryness by adding a little extra frosting on top!

three-quarters view of strawberry donuts on a wire cooling rack.

How to Store and Reheat Baked Donuts from Cake Mix

These cake donuts should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll last 3-4 days, but will be best if eaten in the first 2 days. Don’t keep them anywhere too warm or the glaze will melt off. If you want to warm them up before eating, just pop them in the microwave for 10-20 seconds.

How to Freeze a Strawberry Frosted Donut

Freeze strawberry donuts in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

What to Serve with Donuts from Cake Mix

These strawberry cake mix donuts are the perfect breakfast treat! Serve them with a hot cup of coffee, an iced espresso, a chai tea latte, or a glass of oat milk. For a summery twist, enjoy them with a pineapple matcha or Starbucks pink drink!

These donuts make a great accompaniment to a hearty sausage breakfast casserole or a couple of Starbucks egg bites. Take one with a coffee smoothie on the go, or indulge in some PB&J overnight oats. Any way you serve them, these donuts are sure to be a hit!

close up three-quarters view of a hand lifting a strawberry donut from a wire cooling rack.

More Donut Recipes We Love

Recipe Card

Strawberry Donuts Recipe

4.64 from 11 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 18 donuts
Author: Becky Hardin
featured strawberry donuts.
These baked Strawberry Cake Mix Donuts are so easy to make with just a few ingredients.
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Ingredients 

For the Donuts

  • 15.25 ounces Strawberry Cake Mix 432 grams (1 box)
  • 2 large eggs 100 grams
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter 28 grams (¼ stick)
  • ¾ cup heavy cream 170 grams

For the Glaze

  • 2 cups powdered sugar 226 grams
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream 14 grams, plus more if needed
  • 1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries 167 grams

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F
  • In a large bowl, stir the cake mix, eggs, butter, and cream together by hand until well combined.
    15.25 ounces Strawberry Cake Mix, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons melted butter, ¾ cup heavy cream
    strawberry donut batter in a glass bowl.
  • Pour batter into greased donut pan, making sure to not overfill. The donuts will rise quite a bit!
    strawberry donut batter in a donut tin.
  • Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes or until you can insert a toothpick and it come out clean.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack. Repeat as needed until all of the batter has been baked.
  • While donuts cool, make the glaze: Beat the powdered sugar, cream, and chopped strawberries with a hand mixer until well combined. Make the glaze thicker or thinner by adding more or less cream.
    2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon heavy cream, 1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
    strawberry glaze in a glass bowl.
  • Dip each donut face down into the glaze and then allow to cool until the icing hardens a bit. It might not harden all the way because of the strawberries, but it will firm up quite a bit.
    overhead view of 7 strawberry donuts dipped in glaze drying on a wire cooling rack.

Becky’s Tips

  • Use a donut tin to make these. You can find one most places where cookware and bakeware is sold.
  • Grease the tin before filling it with batter so they don’t stick while baking.
  • The donuts will rise as they bake, so don’t overfill the tin.
  • Make the glaze while the donuts are cooling on a rack.
  • To glaze, just dip each donut face-down in the icing.
  • If you want to warm them up before eating, just pop them in the microwave for 10-20 seconds.
Storage: Store strawberry donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Serving: 1donutCalories: 211kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 173mgPotassium: 31mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 228IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

 

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.64 from 11 votes (8 ratings without comment)
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Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.
April 15, 2015 6:17 pm

Those donuts look amazing, definitely worth waking up for! I love how easy they are!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 16, 2015 7:16 pm

Thanks so much Stacey!

Judy
Judy
April 15, 2015 4:51 pm

Cake doughnuts are a favorite of ours and this looks so easy. Love your bright and colorful photos! The red & white stripes caught my eye.

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 16, 2015 7:16 pm
Reply to  Judy

Aw thank you Judy!

Jocelyn @BruCrew Life
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life
April 15, 2015 2:39 pm

I love how versatile cake mixes are. Donuts are always a fun choice here too. Love love love these pretty pink ones!!!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 16, 2015 7:17 pm

I love cake mixes too!! They make the best bundt cakes, and the best donuts! Thanks for stopping by :)

Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
April 15, 2015 11:47 am

I love everything about breakfast, sweet and savory! But doughnuts? The BEST! Pinned!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 16, 2015 7:17 pm

I just stopped by and saw YOUR delicious donuts! YUM!

Kate @ Diethood
Kate @ Diethood
April 15, 2015 11:22 am

Gurrrrrl! Dayyyyum! They might be too pretty to eat, but I’ll have a dozen!!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 16, 2015 7:17 pm

Haha thank you Kate!!

Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
April 15, 2015 9:44 am

Love how easy these are! So many cake-mix recipes these days: people are just super creative!

Sara @ Bitz & Giggles
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles
April 15, 2015 9:17 am

I need to try cake mix donuts! They look delicious! I can’t get over those beautiful tulips in the background either! Yeah for spring!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 16, 2015 7:17 pm

Thanks so much Sara!

Nutmeg Nanny
Nutmeg Nanny
April 15, 2015 8:16 am

These donuts look so delicious and perfect for spring. I love the ease of using a cake mix!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 16, 2015 7:18 pm
Reply to  Nutmeg Nanny

It makes things so easy! Thanks for stopping by :)

Chandra@The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen
Chandra@The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen
April 15, 2015 8:11 am

Amazing! I have been wanting to make cake mix donuts for a while but just haven’t gotten around to it. These beautiful photos have inspired me!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 16, 2015 7:18 pm

Thanks so much Chandra!

Michele @ Flavor Mosaic
Michele @ Flavor Mosaic
April 15, 2015 8:02 am

What beautiful yummy donuts! I’m gong to have to try these!

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 16, 2015 7:18 pm

Thank you so much Michele!

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