Description

Your Simple Ingredient List for Fluffy, Cakey Donuts. No-yeast batter mixes in minutes for light, cake-style doughnuts finished with a glossy pink icing and fun feathered design—plus raspberry jam and vanilla custard for dipping.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Fluffy Doughnuts

250 g plain (all-purpose) flour (about 2 cups; key to light, cakey texture)
30 g caster (superfine) sugar (about 2 1/2 Tbsp)
1 tsp baking powder (leavening for quick rise)
1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) (partners with buttermilk)
1 pinch salt (balances sweetness)
1 large free-range egg (binder for structure)
100 ml buttermilk (about 1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp; tender crumb)
2-3 Tbsp melted butter (adds rich flavor to dough)
1 tsp vanilla extract (warm bakery aroma)
1 Tbsp vegetable oil (for brushing before air frying)

For the Pretty Pink Icing

200 g icing (powdered) sugar, sifted (about 1 1/2 cups; base for glossy glaze)
2-3 Tbsp whole milk (adjust to thick, dippable consistency)
3 drops pink food coloring (to desired blush)

For Serving & Dipping

3 Tbsp seedless raspberry jam (bright, fruity dip)
6 Tbsp vanilla custard (rich & creamy dip)

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Instructions

Prep & mix dry: Cut 3 parchment squares (10 cm/4 in). In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and a pinch of salt to evenly distribute leaveners.
Make sticky dough: In a medium bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. Pour into dry ingredients and stir gently with a fork or spatula just until a sticky dough forms—do not overmix.
Cut donuts: Lightly flour the surface. Pat or roll dough to 1 cm (1/2 in) thick. Cut 8 cm (3 in) rounds, then cut 4 cm (1.5 in) holes. Brush surfaces lightly with vegetable oil.
Air fry: Preheat air fryer to 180°C/350°F for 3 minutes. Cook donuts in a single layer for 5–6 minutes until puffed and lightly golden. Do not overcrowd; work in batches as needed.
Mix icing: While donuts cool on parchment, whisk sifted icing sugar with milk (1 Tbsp at a time) to a thick, smooth, dippable glaze. Tint the bulk icing pink; reserve 2 Tbsp plain white in a small piping bag.
Feathered finish: Dip donut tops in pink icing and let excess drip. Pipe thin white lines across; drag a cocktail stick through lines in alternating directions to create a feathered effect.
Serve: Enjoy immediately with small bowls of raspberry jam and vanilla custard for dipping.

Notes

Lighter than frying: Air frying reduces oil uptake versus deep-frying and avoids hot-oil cleanup. For extra sheen, whisk 1 tsp corn syrup into the icing. If dough feels too sticky, chill 10 minutes before cutting.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 375
Sugar: 40
Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 55
Protein: 5