For some, gifting a kitchen item for a birthday or Christmas is a cardinal sin. We've all heard stories about the hapless husband who comes home with beautifully wrapped box containing ... cue ominous music ... a blender. And the poor clueless fella is booted back out that door faster than you can say "margarita."
Me, if my guy showed up with a Vitamix, there would be happy dancing and fridge-to-couch beer deliveries for a week. At least.
So when one of the presents under the tree this past Christmas was a doughnut pan, I was thrilled.
Not that it was much of a surprise - I specifically asked for one. I asked for an ice cream scoop, too, and I got two.
It was a good Christmas.
As a result, I've had fun playing with baked doughnut recipes these past few months. There's been vanilla, chocolate, lemon, coconut, glazes galore, and sprinkles like you've never seen (my toddler must always help with the sprinkles). And! You know where I'm going with this--we've also enjoyed these Vegan Coconut Lemon Baked Doughnuts. A lot.
My go-to baked doughnut recipe calls for an egg, so one morning when I was out, I thought I'd try replacing that single egg with a "flax egg." If you haven't heard of flax eggs, well, they're easier (and more awesome) than they sound. For every egg called for in a traditional baking recipe, you mix together 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, and it thickens into a perfect egg substitute.
Other than the telltale flecks, I can rarely tell the difference between flax eggs and chicken eggs.
After I replaced the egg with flax, I thought I'd go all the way and replace the dairy with vegan-friendly substitutes instead. Coconut oil stands in for butter; canned coconut milk replaces the cow's milk.
And, honestly? I actually like these vegan baked doughnuts a smidge better than the original. They're super, duper tender, with a nice, large, cakey crumb.
This version adds lemon to the mix, both in the doughnut batter and in a zesty, moist glaze that's then topped generously with sweetened flaked coconut.
These are my most popular baked doughnuts to date among taste testers (um, family and friends) - vegan or otherwise. Hmmm ... if I bake enough for everyone, maybe one of them will show up to my house with a blender!
Dare to dream.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
Doughnuts:
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- 3 tablespoons water
- ⅓ cup white sugar (organic for vegan-friendly)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest, from approximately 2 small lemons
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons solid coconut oil
- ½ cup canned lite coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon canned lite coconut milk
Topping:
- ½ cup sweetened flaked coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a six-count non-stick doughnut pan with coconut oil or an oil mister.
- In a small bowl, mix together the flaxseed meal and water. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the sugar and lemon zest, using your fingers to rub the zest with the sugar to release the oils. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, stirring together with a whisk until combined.
- Drop the coconut oil into the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your clean fingers to distribute the coconut oil throughout the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the coconut milk and lemon juice to the small bowl with the flaxseed mixture. Stir.
- Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon just until incorporated.
- Scoop batter into a large zipper bag and squeeze the contents toward one of the bottom corners. Snip off the corner and use the bag to pipe the dough into each doughnut cup. Divide dough evenly between each cup--I usually go around each cup once or twice, then if I have any batter left over, I go back and add to each cup. You can also use a pastry bag affixed with a plain round tip.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until doughnuts are puffed and spring back when gently poked.
- Allow the doughnuts to cool in the pan for five minutes, then use a butter knife to gently loosen the edges. Invert the doughnuts onto a baking rack set over a rimmed baking sheet and let cool completely.
- To make the glaze, place the powdered sugar, lemon zest, and coconut milk into a small bowl and beat with a fork until it forms a liquid about the consistency of molasses. Dip each doughnut in the glaze and set glaze-side-up back on the baking rack. Sprinkle doughnuts with coconut.
Alissa N @ Girl Makes Food says
I asked my mom for a steam mop one year for Christmas, and my husband had to assure her over and over that it was not a lame gift and that I would be super psyched if she got it for me. When I opened it I jumped around and freaked. I was so excited, and I still love that thing to death!! Blenders and kitchen things are my favorite gifts, they get a bad rep and I don't get it!!
These look FANTASTIC!! I can't wait to try them out. Is it Saturday morning yet? 🙂
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
Just goes to show that gifts can be as individual as the person! (And I think a steam mop sounds awesome!)
Disha Kapadia says
This is just great! It's very hard to find good baking recipes for vegetarian kitchens and you make it so easy all the time! 🙂
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
Thanks so much!
Holly Waterfall says
Ok, I have just barely started hearing about this flax-egg, and I'm so trying it soon! I put flax into just about everything, so I don't know why I wouldn't try it like this. So awesome.
And as for these donuts... YUM! coconut+citrus is so complimentary, so I just know they're super tasty!
Kare says
Thanks, Holly! Flax eggs are the coolest thing ever! So easy, inexpensive, and I truly don't notice the difference except in color (and those little flecks). I've heard of people doing the same thing with chia seeds, but I've not tried that one.
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
I am SO on board with a Vitamix for a present,heck yes! Also, these donuts are making me so hungry!
Kare says
Seriously! The funny thing - after writing this post, I went out and finally bought myself a Vitamix! So it wasn't a gift, though my husband did strongly encourage the splurge. 🙂
Kourtney says
One year for Christmas I got a waffle maker, hand mixer, 2 baking sets, a coffee maker & crock pot. This year for Valentine's day a nice Food Processor. BEST GIFT EVER!
Michelle says
I'm so with you on getting appliances for gifts. One of my best gifts for Mother's Day was a new washing machine and a spot bot. Can't wait to try this donut recipe. Will have to put a donut pan on my wish list for a future gift.
Skye says
Yum. I agree - a Vitamix would be a very well received present. Especially if it came in a box with a lovely ribbon wrapped around it.
Joyce Vandenberg Porter says
Coconut and lemon together-yum!
Vanessa says
Yum! Those look so delicious and refreshing.
P.S. I would cry tears of joy if the bf showed up with a Vitamix as well! It would be better than any jewelry box by far!
Nancy says
Ha ha... My birthday is coming up and I just asked my husband for a tofu press. At this point he knows me so well he doesn't even question it. Now I might have to ask for a doughnut pan too! These look delicious! Thank you for all the vegan recipes - I totally look forward to trying them all!
nikki says
These look fab, do you think I could use rice or buckwheat flour instead?
Easter is coming, I wonder if I could get a doughnut pan instead of a dairy free, soy free, gluten free chocolate egg - would probably be easier for my fiancé to find!! 🙂
Nikki
Kare Troughton says
Hi Nikki, I haven't tried either of those, and I am a gluten-free baking novice! If I was trying to make these gluten-free, I would maybe try oat flour - possibly coconut flour? Sorry I don't have a more definitive answer for you - if you (or your fiance!) try a substitute, please do report back!
Nikki says
Hi Kare,
No that is great thanks, I have both of those flours, so once I get a pan I shall experiment and report back!
My fiancé cook/bake?! April Fools has gone hasn't it? 😉
Cara's Healthy Cravings says
This might just be my excuse to go out and buy a doughnut pan 🙂
Susan says
Congratulations on the Vitamix! So many great things to do with it. I use mine almost every day. Got the tofu press for Christmas and what a timesaver! Love your recipes!
Marci says
I'm ordering a donut pan right now to make these!! YUM!
Carole says
I see the recipe calles for 2 Tbsps of solid coconut oil. Is there a measuring difference between that of it being solid?
Kare Troughton says
Hi Carole, thanks for asking. Whether the coconut oil is in solid form or liquid form, it will measure out at 2 tablespoons either way. The reason we included the word "solid" is because you work it into the dough like butter instead of melting it before adding it; so we were just trying to be crystal clear. 🙂
Emma says
Kitchen presents are the best kind of presents! Incidentally, I was just in my local kitchen shop looking for a doughnut pan the other day and they apparently don't stock them anymore 🙁 When I do get one these beauties might well be the first doughnuts I make in it!
Love lemon and coconut so much.
Michelle says
You can buy doughnut pans at KingArthurflour.com. And, of course while you are there you should order your flour - fresh from the source. I always get great service from them.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I'm on a lemon and coconut kick myself so these doughnuts are perfect!
Katie @ Produce on Parade says
Okay, I seriously need to get my hands on a doughnut pan......
Julia Mueller says
BOOM dynamite! These doughnuts look amazing! I'm always up for coconut anything and I've been obsessively experimenting with flax eggs, so bring it on, sister! Bring on them vegan doughnuts, hot diggity daaaaamn!
Joanne says
I love getting kitchen gifts for holidays but if the.boy came home with a vacuum, I would kick him! (JK. Kind of.)
This doughnut flavor is like a breath of fresh air! Two of my favorite spring flavors in one.
Kare Troughton says
Even a Dyson?!! Yeah, other home appliances, I think I need to agree with you there. Notsomuch. 🙂
Melissa @ Nourish By Melissa says
Coconut and lemon sounds like it would be great together.....especially in a donut 😀
Jacquie O'Neill says
Oh this made me laugh - my hubby actually got me a Vitamix for Christmas two years ago - one of the best presents I ever got, I didn't think he could better it until this year…. he got me a stainless steel juicer - In heaven - I'm thinking a doughnut pan may well be in the running for next year with this delicious recipe!!!
Kare Troughton says
Oooh, sounds like your hubby knows you well! I would go gaga over a juicer, too. 🙂
lisacng @ expandng.com says
ok ok ok, putting donut pan on my wishlist 🙂
Kare Troughton says
Yeah! 🙂
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
These vegan doughnuts look divine! I really, really want a doughnut pan too! But I've been trying to resist...because, let's be honest, I have soooo many kitchen gadgets!
Kare Troughton says
I try to avoid buying too many unnecessary pans/gadgets, but I now consider this one a must. 😉
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
You will be my undoing!
Malisa says
My kids loved them:)
Kare Troughton says
So glad to hear that! When kids like something, I consider it the ultimate stamp of approval. 🙂