Vanilla Glazed Heart Donuts

Homemade heart-shaped donuts show love better than anything else. These oven-baked treats hit the sweet spot between soft cake donut and tasty vanilla topping, with a fun shape that's great for Valentine's Day or whenever you want something special. My family gobbled up countless test batches before I nailed this recipe that looks as good as it tastes.

I surprised my children with these donuts last Valentine's morning. They couldn't believe their eyes when they saw pink heart donuts, and putting sprinkles on them turned into our favorite new breakfast ritual. What makes them so good? A soft, light batter and topping that hardens just right.

Essential Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: Your donut base. I always use the spoon-and-level way for measuring
• Full-fat milk: Gives you moist, rich donuts. Try to use it at room temperature
• Good quality vanilla extract: Worth spending more on - it creates that authentic donut shop taste
• Gel food coloring: Adds bright color without making the topping runny. Pink or red works great for Valentine's
• Sprinkles: Pick colors and shapes that match your event

Detailed Cooking Instructions

Get Everything Ready:

Heat oven to 400°F. Coat heart donut pan completely with butter or spray. Put cooling rack nearby. Make sure all stuff is room temperature.

Create Your Batter:

Stir dry items until they're mixed well. Blend wet items separately until smooth. Combine them gently - don't mix too much. Your batter should be thick but still flow.

Add To Pan:

Put batter in piping bag. Fill each heart about ¾ full. Tap pan lightly to get air bubbles out. Clean up any spills around edges.

Baking Steps:

Put in hot oven. Cook for 8 minutes. Check if done with toothpick. Let cool for 5 minutes before taking out.

Prepare The Topping:

Strain powdered sugar for smoothness. Add milk bit by bit until right thickness. Split and add color as wanted. Keep slightly warm for best results.

Pin it

Amazing Glazing Method

I've noticed temperature really matters when coating donuts. Your donuts need to be totally cool, but your glaze should stay a bit warm for the best finish. I dunk each donut at a slant, let extra drip away, then turn it over with one smooth flip.

Prep Ahead Options

These taste best fresh, but I've found a few tricks for planning ahead. You can mix the batter the evening before and keep it in your piping bag in the fridge. Just let it warm up a bit before you bake.

Playing With Colors

To get that Valentine's pink just right, I begin with just a tiny bit of gel coloring and add more slowly. Sometimes I'll create three shades - light, medium, and dark pink - to make an eye-catching display that looks extra fancy.

Setting Up For Decorating

Make a decorating spot with different colored toppings and sprinkle choices. I put down parchment paper underneath for easy cleanup and use flat dishes for the sprinkles. It's become something everyone looks forward to at our house.

Fixing Common Problems

If donuts stick to your pan, try cooling the greased pan for 10 minutes in the fridge before adding batter. And when your glaze gets too thick, just add milk a tiny splash at a time until it flows right.

Changing For Different Events

Pink works great for Valentine's, but I switch colors for other holidays - soft colors for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, red and green for Christmas. You can make them fit any celebration!

Pin it

These heart donuts have grown beyond just a Valentine's treat in our family - they've turned into our way of baking love into something sweet. Whether you're making them as a surprise or just wanting to brighten someone's day, these donuts always bring happiness. The mix of soft donut, sweet topping, and fun decorations creates something special that makes everyday moments feel like little celebrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why should I pipe the batter?

Using a piping bag spreads the batter evenly, ensuring neat donuts without spills.

→ What's the key to a good ombre look?

Start with pale pink, then deepen the color as you finish each batch.

→ Can these be made without a special pan?

You need a donut pan for the round, uniform shape.

→ How long do they stay good to eat?

They’re best eaten within 2 days if stored in an airtight container.

→ Can I freeze these before decorating?

Yes, freeze them plain for up to 2 months and glaze them after defrosting.