Cake Mix Donuts with Vanilla Glaze and Rainbow Sprinkles Recipe
Introduction
These cake mix donuts are an easy and delicious treat you can whip up in no time. Soft, moist, and perfectly sweet, they’re a great homemade alternative to store-bought donuts. Plus, with a simple glaze and optional sprinkles, they look as good as they taste.

Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup milk
For the glaze:
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 Tbsp milk
Topping (optional):
- Rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set the pan aside.
- Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and milk until the batter is smooth and combined.
- Step 3: Pour the batter into a large gallon-sized plastic bag. Cut a small hole in one corner of the bag to create a piping bag.
- Step 4: Pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cup about halfway to allow room for rising.
- Step 5: Bake the donuts in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Step 6: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes, then carefully remove them and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 7: To make the glaze, whisk together the melted butter, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth.
- Step 8: Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze and place them back on the wire rack. Add rainbow sprinkles immediately if desired.
- Step 9: Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Try using different cake mix flavors, such as chocolate or lemon, to change up the taste.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, use muffin tins but reduce the baking time slightly.
- For a richer glaze, add a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon.
- To make them dairy-free, substitute the milk with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free butter for the glaze.
Storage
Store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They can also be refrigerated for up to a week, but bring them to room temperature before serving for the best flavor. To reheat, warm the donuts in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
Yes, you can use a muffin tin as a substitute. Fill the cups slightly less than full and bake for a few minutes less, checking frequently to avoid overbaking.
Can I use milk powder or water instead of milk?
While milk helps keep the donuts moist, you can substitute with water or reconstituted milk powder if needed. The texture might be slightly different but still tasty.
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Cake Mix Donuts with Vanilla Glaze and Rainbow Sprinkles Recipe
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
Description
These Cake Mix Donuts are a quick and easy treat made from a simple cake mix batter baked to perfection in a donut pan. Finished with a smooth powdered sugar glaze and optional rainbow sprinkles, they make a delightful homemade snack without the mess of frying.
Ingredients
Donut Batter
- 1 box cake mix (any flavor, approximately 15.25 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup milk
Glaze
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
Topping
- Rainbow sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare donut pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray to ensure the donuts don’t stick after baking.
- Mix the donut batter. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and milk until everything is fully combined and smooth, with no lumps remaining.
- Fill the donut pan. Pour the batter into a large gallon-sized plastic bag. Snip off a small corner of the bag to create a makeshift piping bag. Carefully squeeze the batter into the donut pan cups, filling each about halfway to allow room for rising.
- Bake the donuts. Place the filled donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the donuts comes out clean.
- Cool the donuts. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then, transfer the donuts to a wire rack and let them cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare the glaze. Melt the butter and whisk it together with powdered sugar and milk until you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Glaze and decorate. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze or spoon it generously on top, then immediately sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles, if desired. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- Use any flavor of boxed cake mix for different donut varieties (chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, etc.).
- Ensure the donuts cool completely before glazing to prevent melting and running.
- Substitute vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for a subtle flavor twist.
- For a dairy-free glaze, replace milk with almond or oat milk, and use dairy-free margarine instead of butter.
- These donuts are best eaten within 2 days but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cake mix donuts,baked donuts,quick donuts,easy donut recipe,homemade donuts,glazed donuts,sprinkle donuts

