Get ready to fall in love with the easiest, most delicious treat around: this Snowball Donuts Recipe! These delightful little donut holes are incredibly light, fluffy, and baked (not fried!), making them a wonderfully simple indulgence. We coat them in a generous dusting of powdered sugar for that classic “snowball” look, creating a sweet bite that melts in your mouth. Whether you need a quick breakfast treat, a fun dessert, or a festive holiday goodie, these baked donut holes are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone.
What Are Snowball Donuts?
Snowball Donuts are a type of cake donut, typically made as small, round donut holes. Their name comes from their signature coating of snowy-white powdered sugar, which makes them look like freshly rolled snowballs. Sometimes, they are also rolled in fine coconut flakes. Unlike traditional donuts that are deep-fried, our version is baked, resulting in a lighter, more cake-like texture that is simply irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Snowball Donuts Recipe
- Baked, Not Fried: Enjoy the delightful taste of donuts without the mess or hassle of deep-frying. Baking gives them a wonderfully tender crumb.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything you need for this recipe in your pantry and refrigerator right now.
- Quick and Easy: The batter comes together in minutes, and they bake in about 10 minutes. It’s the perfect recipe for a last-minute craving!
- Perfectly Portioned: Donut holes are great for sharing and perfect for portion control.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Snowball Donuts Recipe uses simple, common ingredients to create a wonderfully tender and flavorful treat.
For the Donuts:
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our donuts.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Baking Powder: The leavening agent that makes the donuts light and fluffy.
- Spices: A pinch of salt and a dash of nutmeg enhance the classic cake donut flavor.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together.
- Milk: Adds moisture and richness. You can use any kind, but whole milk works best.
- Melted Butter: Gives the donuts a rich, buttery flavor and tender texture.
- Vanilla Extract: For a touch of warm flavor.
For the Coating:
- Melted Butter: Helps the coating stick to the warm donuts.
- Powdered Sugar: The classic “snowball” coating.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making these donuts is incredibly simple. Just follow these steps for perfect results every time.
1. Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a mini muffin pan or a donut hole pan generously. This will prevent the donuts from sticking and ensure they pop out easily.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Combining the dry ingredients first ensures everything is evenly distributed.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Combine and Make the Batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly okay. Overmixing can lead to tough donuts.
5. Bake the Donut Holes
Fill each cup of your prepared pan about two-thirds full with batter. A small cookie scoop or a piping bag makes this step much easier and cleaner. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
6. Coat the Donuts
While the donuts are still warm, brush each one with melted butter. Immediately roll the buttered donut in a bowl of powdered sugar until it’s fully coated. Place the finished donuts on the wire rack to set.
The Perfect Coating: Powdered Sugar vs. Toasted Coconut
While classic Snowball Donuts are coated in powdered sugar, you can easily switch it up with coconut for a different flavor and texture.
- Powdered Sugar (The Classic): This gives the donuts their iconic look and a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth finish. For best results, coat the donuts while they are still warm.
- Toasted Coconut (A Flavorful Twist): For a “snowy” look with more flavor, try rolling the butter-brushed donuts in finely shredded, toasted coconut. It adds a delicious nutty flavor and a slight crunch. Looking for another breakfast idea? Why not try our delicious breakfast casserole!
Tips for the Best Baked Donuts
- Do Not Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which will make your donuts dense and tough instead of light and fluffy.
- Grease the Pan Well: This is the secret to getting your donut holes out of the pan perfectly every time.
- Coat While Warm: The heat from the donuts helps the butter melt in slightly and makes the powdered sugar stick perfectly.
- Serve Fresh: These donuts are at their absolute best the day they are made. If you love baked goods, you should check out our easy peach cake recipe.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Be aware that the powdered sugar coating may become slightly moist over time. For this reason, it’s best to coat only the donuts you plan to serve immediately. You can bake the donuts ahead of time and store them plain in an airtight container, then coat them just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Snowball Donuts Recipe is for baked donuts. They are baked in a mini muffin pan, which makes them lighter and fluffier than their fried counterparts and much easier to make at home.
Absolutely! For a delicious variation, you can roll the butter-brushed warm donuts in finely shredded coconut. Toasted coconut also adds a wonderful nutty flavor.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. However, they are best enjoyed fresh as the powdered sugar can absorb moisture over time. For best results, only coat the donuts you plan to eat right away.
The key is to coat the donuts while they are still warm. We brush them with a little melted butter right after they come out of the oven, which helps the powdered sugar adhere perfectly for that snowy look.
Snowball donuts are made from a simple cake donut batter, which includes flour, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, and a leavening agent like baking powder. They get their name from their classic coating of powdered sugar.
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
We hope you love this easy Snowball Donuts Recipe! It’s a simple, comforting treat that brings smiles to everyone’s faces. If you try it, let us know what you think in the comments below. For more baking inspiration, be sure to check out our famous bakery-style chocolate chip cookies. Don’t forget to share your beautiful creations with us on Pinterest!
Snowball Donuts Recipe
Snowball Donuts Recipe (Easy & Baked!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, 1/4 cup of melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fill each mini muffin cup about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- While the donuts are still warm, brush each one with the remaining 1/4 cup of melted butter and immediately roll in powdered sugar to coat completely.
Notes
Do not overmix the batter to ensure the donuts stay light and fluffy.
You can also roll the donuts in toasted shredded coconut instead of powdered sugar.
