lemon donuts

Ingredients:

For the Donuts:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Lemon Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Optional: Yellow food coloring for a brighter glaze

Instructions:

For the Donuts:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, buttermilk, egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
4. Combine Mixtures: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Fill Donut Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the donuts spring back when touched.
7. Cool: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Lemon Glaze:

1. Prepare Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Add yellow food coloring if desired.
2. Dip Donuts: Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the tops of each donut into the lemon glaze, allowing any excess to drip off.
3. Optional: Zest Topping: If desired, sprinkle additional lemon zest on top of the glaze for extra flavor and decoration.
4. Let Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Notes:

• Freshness: These lemon donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container for a day or two.
• Variations: Feel free to experiment with different glazes or add-ins, such as poppy seeds, for extra texture.
• Portion Control: Be mindful of portion sizes to stay within your desired SmartPoints range.