Introduction

These Wild Blueberry Cake Donuts are a delightful treat with a tender crumb and a burst of juicy berries in every bite. They are easy to bake at home and finished with a sweet blueberry glaze that adds a perfect touch of fruity flavor.

Six donuts are placed on a light wooden round board with soft wood grain. Each donut has one visible layer of soft, smooth, pale purple icing with small darker purple specks that slightly drips over the edges. The donut base looks dense and dark green with some visible spots of dark berries inside. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tablespoons salted butter (melted, plus extra for greasing the donut tin)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
3/4 cup wild blueberries (fresh or frozen)
2 tablespoons wild blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar (also called icing sugar or confectioner’s sugar)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Lightly grease a 6-hole donut tin with butter, then fit a piping bag with a large round tip and set aside.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, milk, egg, and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 3: Sift the flour into the bowl through a fine mesh sieve. Add baking powder and salt, then gently fold with a rubber spatula until the flour is about halfway mixed.
Step 4: Fold in 3/4 cup of wild blueberries until they are evenly distributed and no dry flour remains. If using frozen berries, the batter may turn purple.
Step 5: Spoon the batter into the prepared piping bag. Pipe a full circle of batter into each donut hole, then divide any remaining batter evenly among them. Smooth the tops lightly with a wet fingertip.
Step 6: Bake for 13 to 15 minutes. Cool the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then turn the donuts out to cool completely before glazing.
Step 7: To make the glaze, heat 2 tablespoons of blueberries in a small microwave-safe bowl for 15 to 20 seconds until warm. Mash with a fork and press through a fine mesh sieve to catch the juice, discarding solids.
Step 8: Sift powdered sugar into a mixing bowl. Add 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract and start with 1/2 teaspoon of blueberry juice. Stir well, adding more juice 1/2 teaspoon at a time until the icing is thick and ribbony.
Step 9: Spoon the glaze over the cooled donuts and let set for 20 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw before mixing to prevent the batter from turning too purple or watery.
Substitute the wild blueberries with regular blueberries or other small berries if preferred.
For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based milk and vegan butter substitute.

Storage

Store the glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and bring to room temperature before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture; instead, warm gently in a low oven if needed.

How to Serve

The image shows a step-by-step process of making blueberry donuts. In the first part, a clear glass bowl holds a mix of dry flour and wet batter topped with a pile of dark purple blueberries being mixed with a light blue spatula. In the second part, a metal donut pan holds six portions of lilac-colored batter with visible blueberries being filled into each mold by a woman's hand squeezing a piping bag. The third part shows a beige bowl with smooth, thick lavender glaze being stirred by a spoon held by a woman's hand. The last part presents five donuts on a black wire rack over white parchment paper, with the top half of each donut coated in shiny purple glaze, and a woman's hand using a spoon to spread the glaze on one donut, all on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, frozen blueberries work well but keep them frozen until just before mixing into the batter to prevent excess moisture and color bleeding.

Do I need a piping bag to fill the donut tin?

While a piping bag makes it easier to fill the donut molds evenly, you can also use a spoon to carefully fill the tin.