master-cooks | Coconut Baked Donuts Recipe

Coconut Baked Donuts are a delightful treat that combine the tropical flavor of coconut with the lightness of a baked donut. To start, gather your ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, eggs, coconut milk, vanilla extract, melted coconut oil, and sweetened shredded coconut. Begin by preheating your oven and greasing a donut pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, including flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients, which include eggs, coconut milk, vanilla extract, and melted coconut oil. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, folding them together gently to create a smooth batter. Add the shredded coconut for an extra burst of flavor and texture. Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each mold about three-quarters full. Bake the donuts until they are golden brown and spring back when touched. Once baked, let them cool slightly before removing them from the pan. For an added touch, glaze the donuts with a mixture of powdered sugar and coconut milk, and sprinkle with more shredded coconut. Enjoy these deliciously moist and fragrant donuts that offer a taste of the tropics in every bite.

Gather the ingredients for the coconut baked donuts recipe

The foundation of the batter consists of a fairly typical blend of dry ingredients. To begin, you'll require either cake flour or all-purpose flour. Both options will work, but using cake flour will yield a finer crumb and a slightly more tender texture in the donuts. Additionally, you'll need granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. For the coconut component, we opted for unsweetened shredded coconut. The wet ingredients are somewhat unique, incorporating coconut cream or milk, coconut oil, an egg, and vanilla extract. The glaze is made from powdered sugar and coconut milk, and to achieve that authentic coconut donut experience, we dipped the finished donuts in either plain or toasted coconut, although you can omit this step if you prefer.

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Set the oven temperature to 350°F.

Step 2: Combine the dry ingredients

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and shredded coconut.

Step 3: Whisk the dry ingredients

Stir together using a whisk.

Step 4: Combine the wet ingredients

In another bowl, combine the coconut cream, egg, coconut oil, and vanilla extract.

Step 5: Whisk the wet ingredients

Blend the wet ingredients until they are smooth.

Step 6: Combine the wet and dry ingredients

Combine the flour mixture with the wet mixture until all dry spots are eliminated.

Step 7: Transfer to a piping bag

Scoop the batter into a piping bag.

Step 8: Pipe the donuts

Spoon the batter into each donut cavity.

Step 9: Bake the donuts

Place the donuts on the center rack and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 10: Transfer to a wire rack

Move to a wire rack to cool before applying the glaze.

Step 11: Make the glaze

To prepare the glaze, combine the powdered sugar and coconut milk in a bowl and whisk until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, gradually add one teaspoon of coconut milk at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.

Step 12: Glaze the donuts

Coat each donut by immersing it in the coconut glaze, then rolling it in shredded coconut or toasted coconut, if you prefer.

Step 13: Serve the donuts

Allow the icing to set, then serve.

How do I make toasted coconut?

Toasting shredded coconut enhances its flavor and gives it a crispy texture instead of a chewy one. The result is a taste that is nearly caramel-like and nutty, making it an excellent choice for coating cakes or sprinkling over ice cream or gelato. You can even use toasted coconut to rim a cocktail glass, adding a delightful touch to tropical beverages.

Toasting coconut is a straightforward process, and you can choose from two easy methods. The first method involves using a skillet: simply add shredded coconut and toast it over medium to high heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning. It toasts quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on it. The second method is to use the oven. Spread the shredded coconut evenly in a baking dish and bake at 350°F on the middle rack until golden, which takes about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. For an extra touch of sweetness, you can toast the coconut with powdered sugar by mixing 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar with 1 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut and baking it as described above.

What substitutions can be used for this coconut baked donuts recipe?

This straightforward recipe serves as a perfect base for personalization. If you're not avoiding dairy, feel free to substitute yogurt or sour cream for coconut cream (or choose a vegan alternative like coconut yogurt for a delightful twist). Instead of coconut oil, any unflavored vegetable oil will work just as well. To make this recipe vegan, replace the egg with one of several plant-based egg substitutes, such as mixing 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds with 3 tablespoons of water. Alternatively, you can use bananas in place of eggs; while this will alter the flavor slightly, the combination of bananas and coconut is truly delicious.

Additionally, if you have coconut flavor extract on hand, adding a drop or two to the batter can enhance the coconut taste. For a refreshing citrus touch, consider incorporating lime zest and/or juice, which pairs beautifully with coconut. If you're a chocolate lover, you can mix in white or semi-sweet chocolate chips for an extra layer of sweetness, or even drizzle melted chocolate over the donuts. For a crunchy topping, sprinkle chopped nuts like macadamia nuts, almonds, or pecans on the glaze, as they all complement the coconut flavor wonderfully.

Coconut Baked Donuts Recipe