How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Donuts
Learn how to turn a boxed cake mix into easy baked donuts! Soft, fluffy cake donuts with vanilla glaze, chocolate toppings, sprinkles, and more.
Did you know you can turn an ordinary boxed cake mix into a whole batch of delicious baked donuts? It's true! With a few simple ingredients, a donut pan, and about 11 minutes in the oven, you can make soft, tender cake donuts right in your own kitchen.
And here's the best part: You can use almost any flavor of cake mix! Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, lemon, spice, or whatever happens to be sitting in your pantry. Add your favorite glaze, frosting, sprinkles, or chopped nuts, and you've got a whole world of donut possibilities.
But before we get to the recipe, I have to tell you why donuts hold such a special place in my heart.
Growing Up with Shipley's Donuts
If you grew up in the Houston area, chances are you're familiar with Shipley's Do-Nuts. To say my family grew up with Shipley's would be the understatement of the century.
When I was a little girl, my mother would drive us "to town" every Saturday to visit my grandparents. On our way home that evening, we'd stop at a little Shipley's donut shop and pick up a dozen donuts.
Now, here's the important part: We weren't allowed to touch those donuts until Sunday morning!
Can you imagine? A whole box of delicious donuts sitting there, just waiting for us, and we had to leave them alone until breakfast the next day.
But that was our family tradition. Every Sunday morning, we had Shipley's donuts.
As I got older, the tradition changed a little. By the time I reached high school, Mom wasn't buying donuts every weekend anymore. Fortunately, my Sunday school class had Shipley's donuts every Sunday morning.
So I still got my donut fix!
Years later, when I became a youth leader myself, guess who was driving down the street to pick up donuts for the kids?
Yep. Me.
And it was my pleasure.
These days, I live less than a mile from a Shipley's. I'm not saying the location of the donut shop influenced my decision to move here, but let's just say it certainly didn't hurt!
All of that to say, I have a very long history with donuts.
And there's something especially fun about realizing I can now make my own right here in the privacy of my kitchen, for just a few dollars, with as many different flavors and toppings as I please.
The Final Cake Mix Experiment!
If you've spent any time here at Out of the Box Baking, you know I love taking ordinary boxed cake mixes and transforming them into something completely unexpected.
I've made cookies, brownies, muffins, cinnamon rolls, pastries, and all sorts of other treats.
Just two days before making these donuts, I finally tackled Cake Mix Funnel Cakes.
But there was still one recipe left on my list.
Donuts.
I'd been meaning to make them for ages, and I finally decided it was time.
There was just one little complication: I didn't have a traditional donut pan handy.
What I did have was a 24-cavity mini Bundt pan, complete with little raised centers. I figured those would create something close enough to a donut shape.
And guess what? They worked!
The bottoms had a pretty fluted design, which wasn't exactly what I'd envisioned, but the tops looked like adorable little donuts.
They baked up beautifully in just 11 minutes, with golden edges and a lovely tender texture.
And just like that, I finally completed my entire cake mix transformation list!
What Are Cake Mix Donuts?
Cake mix donuts are baked cake-style donuts made using a boxed cake mix as the starting point.
Unlike traditional yeast donuts, which require rising time and are often deep-fried, these donuts are baked in a pan.
They have a soft, tender crumb and a slightly golden exterior. Think miniature cakes in donut form!
They're quick, convenient, and especially fun to decorate.
And because the cake mix provides the basic flavor, you can create all sorts of variations without starting from scratch every time.
Ingredients You'll Need
You won't need anything complicated to make these little donuts.
Here's what I used for my first batch:
- Golden butter cake mix
- All-purpose flour, to thicken the batter
- Eggs
- Milk
- Melted butter
- Vanilla extract
- Nutmeg, optional
I used ⅓ cup milk and added flour to create a thicker batter that would hold its shape in the pan.
I also added nutmeg because it's a traditional flavor in cake donuts. After tasting the plain donuts, though, I decided the nutmeg was a little more prominent than I personally prefer.
If you love that old-fashioned cake donut flavor, feel free to include it. Otherwise, you can reduce the amount or leave it out entirely.
How to Make Baked Cake Mix Donuts
These donuts are surprisingly easy to make, and you don't need any special donut-making skills.
Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Spray a donut pan or mini Bundt pan with nonstick baking spray, making sure to coat the cavities thoroughly.
Note: I only had a mini bundt but it worked perfectly! I ended up using the rounded top but you can really decorate either side. Your choice!
Mix the Batter
Combine the boxed cake mix with the eggs, milk, melted butter, vanilla, and optional nutmeg.
Add flour as needed to achieve a thicker batter suitable for filling the donut cavities.
Mix until combined, taking care not to overmix.
Fill the Cavities
Place the batter in piping bags then spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared pan, leaving enough room for the donuts to rise.
A piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off can make filling the small cavities easier.
Bake
Place the pan in the preheated oven.
My miniature donuts were perfectly baked at 11 minutes. They were lightly golden, held their shape beautifully, and had a tender interior. If you're using a different pan, your baking time may vary.
Cool and Decorate
Allow the donuts to cool briefly before removing them from the pan.
Once they're completely cool, it's time to add your favorite toppings!
Four Ways I Decorated My Donuts
Once I saw how beautifully these little donuts baked, I couldn't resist experimenting with the toppings.
I ended up making several different varieties from the same batch.
Vanilla Glaze with Rainbow Sprinkles
For a simple vanilla glaze, I combined powdered sugar with a little water and vanilla extract.
I dipped the cooled donuts into the glaze and immediately added colorful rainbow sprinkles.
These were especially cheerful and reminded me of the donuts you might find in a bakery display case.
Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread with Sprinkles
I originally planned to melt chocolate chips for some of the donuts, but I was running low and didn't want to use up my supply.
So I reached for the Nutella instead!
I spread it over the tops of several donuts and added rainbow sprinkles.
It gave them a lovely glossy finish without the trouble of making a separate chocolate glaze.
Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread with Chopped Walnuts
For another variation, I topped several donuts with Nutella and sprinkled chopped walnuts over the tops.
Of course, chopped pecans would be wonderful here, too.
Cinnamon Sugar
I also tried a cinnamon-sugar finish for a more traditional donut-shop appearance.
And if you want something even simpler, you can always dust your cooled donuts with powdered sugar.
Any Flavor of Cake Mix Will Work!
Now, here's where things get really exciting.
You don't have to use golden butter cake mix like I did.
In fact, I almost made strawberry donuts! I had strawberry cake mix on hand, along with lemon, and either one would have been delicious.
The possibilities are practically endless.
Here are a few combinations I'd love to try:
| Cake Mix Flavor | Delicious Topping Ideas |
|---|---|
| Vanilla or white | Chocolate glaze and rainbow sprinkles |
| Chocolate | Vanilla glaze or cream cheese frosting |
| Strawberry | Vanilla glaze or strawberry icing |
| Lemon | Lemon glaze and a little fresh zest |
| Yellow or butter | Maple glaze with chopped pecans |
| Red velvet | Cream cheese glaze |
| Spice | Maple glaze or cinnamon sugar |
| Funfetti | Vanilla glaze with extra sprinkles |
| Carrot cake | Cream cheese glaze and chopped pecans |
You can even reverse your favorite combinations. Try chocolate donuts with white glaze or white cake donuts with chocolate topping.
And don't even get me started on maple glaze with pecans!
The beauty of this recipe is that you can start with one simple box of cake mix and create an entire assortment of donuts.
Just remember that different cake mix flavors and brands may produce slightly different batter consistencies, so you may need to make small adjustments.
What to Expect from These Baked Donuts
These are cake-style donuts, so they have a soft, tender interior rather than the airy, chewy texture of yeast-raised fried donuts.
My batch baked up beautifully golden in just 11 minutes, and I was especially pleased with the texture.
The little mini Bundt pan gave them fluted bottoms, which turned out to be a fun surprise.
And once I added the different toppings, they looked like an entire tray of miniature bakery treats.
Not bad for an ordinary box of cake mix!
Tips for Making the Best Cake Mix Donuts
Be sure to grease your pan thoroughly, especially if you're using a pan with decorative details.
Don't overfill the cavities. The donuts need room to rise.
Watch your baking time carefully. Small donuts can go from perfectly baked to overdone rather quickly.
Allow the donuts to cool completely before adding glaze or chocolate spread.
Add sprinkles or chopped nuts while the topping is still soft.
And don't be afraid to experiment with flavors. That's half the fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really make donuts from a boxed cake mix?
Yes! A boxed cake mix makes a wonderful starting point for baked cake donuts. With a few additional ingredients, you can create a batter suitable for baking in donut-shaped cavities.
Can I use chocolate cake mix?
Absolutely! Chocolate cake mix would make delicious baked donuts. Try topping them with vanilla glaze, cream cheese frosting, or even chocolate-hazelnut spread.
Can I use strawberry or lemon cake mix?
Yes! Strawberry and lemon are both wonderful possibilities. Pair strawberry donuts with vanilla glaze or lemon donuts with a tangy lemon icing.
Do I need a special donut pan?
A traditional baked donut pan works well, but I used a 24-cavity mini Bundt pan with raised centers. The resulting donuts had rounded tops and decorative fluted bottoms.
How long do cake mix donuts bake?
My mini donuts baked at 350°F for 11 minutes. Larger donuts or different pans may require a different baking time.
Are baked donuts the same as fried donuts?
Not quite. Baked donuts have a more cake-like texture, while fried yeast donuts are generally lighter and chewier.
If you'd like to try an easy fried version, check out my Easy Canned Biscuit Donuts. They're made from refrigerated canned biscuits and are another fun way to enjoy homemade donuts without making yeast dough from scratch.
Can I make these donuts ahead of time?
Yes. You can bake the donuts ahead of time and decorate them closer to serving. For the prettiest results, add glazes and sprinkles after the donuts have completely cooled.
Can I freeze baked cake mix donuts?
Plain, completely cooled donuts can be wrapped and frozen. For the best appearance, thaw them and add your favorite toppings just before serving.
Let's Explore the "How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix..." Series!
Click any guide below to discover a new way to transform an ordinary boxed cake mix into something extraordinary.
- 🧈 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into a Pound Cake
- 🧁 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Cupcakes
- 🍪 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Cookies
- 🍫 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Brownies
- 🍋 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Dessert Bars
- 🥐 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Pastries
- 🧁 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Muffins
- 🍞 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Quick Breads
- 🍥 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Cinnamon Rolls
- 🎂 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Cake Bites
- ✨ How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Petit Fours
- 🎡 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Funnel Cakes
- 🍫 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Whoopie Pies
- 🍩 How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Donuts (You're here!)
For even more inspiration, visit my How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Something Extraordinary master guide.
Thanks for Stopping By!
I have to admit, there's something rather satisfying about finally making the last recipe on a list you've been working through for years.
And for someone who grew up with Saturday-night trips to Shipley's and Sunday-morning donuts, this particular experiment feels especially sweet.
I'm not giving up my neighborhood Shipley's anytime soon, mind you. After all, it's less than a mile away!
But I love knowing that I can whip up a batch of my own little donuts whenever the mood strikes, choosing whatever cake mix flavor and toppings sound good that day.
I hope you'll give these easy baked cake mix donuts a try. And if you do, I'd love to hear which flavor combination you choose.
Happy baking, friends!
Before you go, please pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!
Janice Thompson is a professional baker, cake designer, and author with over 20 years of experience creating unique cakes and desserts. She’s the creator of Out of the Box Baking, where she shares her favorite doctored cake mix recipes, tutorials, and baking tips. Learn more →
How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Donuts
Turn an ordinary boxed cake mix into 24 adorable baked mini donuts! These soft, tender cake donuts bake in just 11 minutes and can be decorated with vanilla glaze, chocolate-hazelnut spread, colorful sprinkles, or chopped nuts. Use your favorite cake mix flavor for endless possibilities!
Ingredients
- For the Donuts
- 1 box golden butter cake mix
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- For the Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½–2 tablespoons water
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Rainbow sprinkles, for decorating
- Optional Toppings
- Nutella or other chocolate-hazelnut spread
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Cinnamon sugar
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Thoroughly grease a 24-cavity mini Bundt pan or mini donut pan with nonstick baking spray.
- Place the cake mix and flour in a large mixing bowl. Stir briefly to combine.
- Add the eggs, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and optional nutmeg. Mix until the ingredients are incorporated and a thick, smooth batter forms. Avoid overmixing.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared pan, leaving a little room for the donuts to rise.
- Bake for approximately 11 minutes, until the donuts are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean.
- Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for several minutes before carefully removing them. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before decorating.
- To make the vanilla glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, water, and optional vanilla extract until smooth. Add water a few drops at a time if the glaze is too thick.
- Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the vanilla glaze and immediately add rainbow sprinkles.
- For chocolate-topped donuts, spread a little Nutella over the tops and finish with rainbow sprinkles or chopped walnuts.
- Decorate any remaining donuts with cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or your favorite topping. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Cake mix flavors: Golden butter cake mix was used for this batch, but you can experiment with white, yellow, chocolate, strawberry, lemon, spice, or red velvet cake mix. Different flavors and brands may produce slightly different results.
Nutmeg: I used ¼ teaspoon, but found the flavor a little stronger than I preferred. Feel free to reduce it or leave it out.
Pan: I used a 24-cavity mini Bundt pan with raised centers. This created little donuts with pretty fluted bottoms. A traditional mini donut pan should also work, although baking time and yield may vary.
Baking time: My mini donuts were perfectly baked at 11 minutes. Watch carefully if you're using a different pan.
Toppings: Try vanilla glaze, Nutella, rainbow sprinkles, chopped walnuts, chopped pecans, cinnamon sugar, or powdered sugar. Maple glaze with pecans would be another delicious combination!
Storage: Keep cooled donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature. Refrigerate if using a perishable topping. For longer storage, freeze the plain donuts and decorate after thawing.
Freezing: Freeze undecorated donuts in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 115Total Fat: 4.5 ggSaturated Fat: 2 ggCarbohydrates: 17 ggFiber: 0gSugar: 9 ggProtein: 2 gg
The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates. Nutrition excludes optional glaze, Nutella, sprinkles, and walnuts.
