Baked Strawberry Donuts with Honey Bourbon Glaze

Remember that rant from last week? About baked donuts? Well guys and girls, the quest continues. And I have to tell you about another rockstar baked donut recipe that totally classifies as a good baked donut (however hypocritical it might sound): Baked Strawberry Donuts with Honey Bourbon Glaze.

Although I'm not normally a huge fan of whisky, I recently discovered honey bourbon. And, I am a changed woman. It's so yummy and smooth that apparently I thought it was a good idea to add to breakfast food. Oh wait, this has happened before, hasn't it? Please don't judge me.

Readers often ask me who my taste testers are. For this recipe, I delivered donuts to several of my neighbors. I also sent Sam to work with a large pan. And let's just say that both parties reported back very ecstatically. And also with some questions about the amount of bourbon in each donut – which I PROBABLY should have thought about since Sam works in a school. Umm.... oops? 

It's definitely strawberry season, so go ahead and try this recipe for yourself while the berries are fresh and flavorful.  

Baked Strawberry Donuts with Honey Bourbon Glaze

Makes 14-16 donuts

Donut Ingredients:
2 cups cake flour, sifted
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp salt
¾ cup reduced fat buttermilk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 T butter, melted 

1/2 cup strawberries

Glaze Ingredients:

3 cups powdered sugar

4 T Honey Bourbon

4 tsp vanilla extract

Strawberries and brown sugar for garnish

Preheat oven to 425 F. Spray a donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together cake flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg and salt. Add buttermilk, eggs and butter. Beat until just combined. Pulse strawberries in food processor, leaving slightly chunky, and mix into dough until combined. Fill each doughnut cup approximately 2/3 full.

Bake 7-9 minutes or until the top of the doughnuts spring back when touched. Let cool in pan for 4-5 minutes before removing. 

For glaze, whisk together the bourbon and vanilla, and slowly add to powdered sugar, stirring to make a smooth glaze. Spread onto each donut and top with a strawberry and a sprinkle of brown sugar.