Brighten your day with these delightful homemade rainbow donuts. Not only are these baked treats visually stunning, but they’re also deliciously light and fluffy. Perfect for any gathering or just a fun family baking day, these donuts are sure to bring smiles and a splash of color to your table.
Ingredients:
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
- Butter: 1 stick (1/2 cup), softened
- Large Eggs: 2, room temperature
- Pure Vanilla Extract: 1 tablespoon
- Whole Milk: 1 cup
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 1/2 cups
- Baking Powder: 1 1/2 teaspoons
- Baking Soda: 1/4 teaspoon
- Salt: 3/4 teaspoon
- Mace or Nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon (mace adds a unique flavor, but nutmeg is a great substitute)
- Neon Gel Food Coloring: 5 different colors
Directions:
- Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Position the oven rack in the middle.
- Spray two donut pans with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the Batter:
- In a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the eggs, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and mace.
- Gently add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined to keep the batter light.
- Color the Batter:
- Divide the batter evenly into five bowls.
- Add a different color of neon gel food coloring to each bowl and mix thoroughly for bright, vivid colors.
- Pipe the Batter:
- Pour each colored batter into separate zip-top bags and snip off a corner to create a simple piping bag.
- Carefully pipe the batter into the donut pans in sections, creating a vibrant rainbow effect.
- Baking:
- Bake the donuts for 9-12 minutes. Start checking at 9 minutes to ensure they do not overbake and remain light in color.
- Allow the donuts to cool slightly in the pans, then tap them out onto parchment paper to cool completely.
Total Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: Makes about 9 donuts
Baking Tips:
- Use gel food coloring for intense colors without altering the texture of the batter.
- Do not overmix the batter; mix just until the ingredients are combined to keep the donuts tender.
- If mace is not available, nutmeg offers a similar warm, spicy flavor that complements the sweetness of the donut.
Conclusion:
These homemade rainbow donuts are the perfect treat for bringing a bit of magic to your culinary creations. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just in the mood for something unique and delightful, these donuts are sure to impress both with their taste and their playful appearance. Enjoy the process of making these cheerful treats and watch as they light up your event with their array of colors!
