2-Ingredient Baked Cake Donuts
I first tried these 2-ingredient baked cake donuts on a rainy Saturday when I wanted something quick, nostalgic, and a little healthier than fried donuts. The idea is delightfully simple: a box of cake mix plus a single fruit or pumpkin mash creates a moist, cake-like donut that bakes in a pan — no fryer, no yeast, no fuss. They’re perfect for busy mornings, school lunches, or a last-minute brunch when you want homemade without the long prep.
Why you’ll love this dish
This recipe shines because it’s fast, forgiving, and versatile. Using a boxed cake mix means you skip complicated ingredient measuring, and the single mix-in (banana, applesauce, or pumpkin) adds moisture and flavor while replacing oil and eggs in many cases. That makes these donuts budget-friendly, kid-approved, and a great pantry-buster.
“Easy, moist, and so customizable — these became a weekend staple in my house. My kids love picking the sprinkles.” — a home baker’s quick review
When to make it: school mornings, casual brunches, bake sales, or any time you want a simple sweet that’s fuss-free. It’s also a good option when you want baked treats that travel well.
How this recipe comes together
Before you dive in, here’s the quick process at a glance so you know what to expect:
- Choose one mix-in (mashed banana, cinnamon applesauce, or pure pumpkin) to pair with your cake mix.
- Stir the mix-in into the dry cake mix until smooth; the batter should be thick but pipeable or spoonable.
- Fill a greased donut pan about three-quarters full.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes until the donuts spring back.
- Cool, frost if you like, and decorate.
This overview helps you plan: prep time is minimal, baking is short, and cooling is the trickiest bit if you want tidy frosting.
What you’ll need
- 1 box cake mix (any flavor — chocolate, vanilla, spice, or yellow)
- 2 cups mashed banana OR 2 cups cinnamon applesauce OR 1 (15 oz) can pure pumpkin
(Choose only one of these mix-ins per batch.) - Frosting (any flavor) for topping
- Sprinkles for decoration
Notes and substitutions: - If you want gluten-free, use a gluten-free cake mix.
- For egg-free/dairy-free: most boxed cake mixes require eggs/milk only if you follow the box directions; this 2-ingredient method typically eliminates added eggs. Check your cake mix label and use a dairy-free frosting if needed.
- If you prefer less sweetness, pick a less-sweet cake mix (e.g., spice or carrot cake mix) and pair with pumpkin for a more balanced taste.
How to prepare it
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan generously with nonstick spray or softened butter so the donuts release easily.
- In a large bowl, pour the box of cake mix. Add your chosen mix-in (2 cups mashed banana, 2 cups cinnamon applesauce, or the entire 15 oz can of pumpkin).
- Stir until the batter is smooth and uniform. Stop mixing once the dry streaks are gone — overmixing can make baked goods tougher.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each well about three-quarters full so the donuts have room to rise.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes. Test doneness by lightly touching the top — it should spring back — or insert a toothpick (it should come out mostly clean).
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- If desired, frost and add sprinkles once the donuts are fully cool. Frosting a warm donut will melt the glaze and make it runny.
Best ways to enjoy it
- Breakfast plate: serve warm with a smear of cream cheese frosting and a side of Greek yogurt and berries.
- Brunch spread: pair with coffee, tea, or a spiced latte; set out a topping bar with different frostings, chopped nuts, and sprinkles.
- Snack box: cooled and unfrosted donuts travel well in a lunchbox; add a mini fork or napkin for easy eating.
- Party platter: alternate flavors (banana + chocolate cake mix, pumpkin + spice cake mix) for visual variety and different taste profiles.
How to store & freeze
- Room temperature: Store unfrosted donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigeration: If donuts are frosted with dairy-based or cream cheese frosting, keep them in the fridge and eat within 4–5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unfrosted donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes.
Food safety: cool donuts completely before storing to avoid condensation that can make them soggy and encourage bacterial growth.
Pro chef tips
- Choose one mix-in per batch. Combining banana and pumpkin will change moisture and texture unpredictably.
- Batter consistency matters: it should be thick but scoopable. If it’s too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons milk; if too thin, stir in a tablespoon of cake mix at a time.
- Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped to fill the donut pan neatly — fewer spills, more uniform donuts.
- Don’t overfill the wells. Filling to three-quarters prevents overflow and creates the classic donut shape.
- Rotate the pan halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots for even browning.
- Let donuts cool before frosting to avoid melting the glaze; pop them in the fridge for 10 minutes to speed this up if you’re in a rush.
Creative twists
- Chocolate banana: use chocolate cake mix with mashed banana and top with a chocolate frosting and chopped banana chips.
- Spiced pumpkin: pair pumpkin with spice or yellow cake mix; finish with maple glaze and toasted pecans.
- Apple cinnamon: use cinnamon applesauce with a vanilla or caramel frosting for a cozy autumn flavor.
- Healthier swaps: choose a reduced-sugar or gluten-free cake mix; top with a light yogurt glaze (Greek yogurt + a little honey and powdered sugar).
- Vegan option: pick a vegan cake mix and dairy-free frosting. Confirm mix-in (applesauce and pumpkin work well as egg replacers).
Common questions
Q: Do I use all three mix-ins at once?
A: No — pick one mix-in per batch. The recipe uses 1 box of cake mix plus either 2 cups mashed banana, 2 cups cinnamon applesauce, or a 15 oz can of pumpkin. Mixing all three will change moisture and texture and may require tweaking.
Q: Can I make these without a donut pan?
A: Yes. Use a muffin tin for cake-like donut holes or bake in a mini bundt or cupcake pan. Baking time may increase slightly — check doneness with a toothpick.
Q: My batter was too runny. How do I fix it?
A: Stir in additional cake mix a tablespoon at a time until you reach a thick, scoopable consistency. Alternatively, chill the batter for 15–20 minutes to firm it up.
Q: Can I skip frosting?
A: Absolutely. The donuts are moist and flavorful on their own. A dusting of powdered sugar or a light cinnamon sugar shake also works well.
Q: How long do these stay fresh?
A: Unfrosted at room temp: about 2 days. Frosted (dairy-based frosting): refrigerate and eat within 4–5 days. See the storage section for freezing tips.
Conclusion
If you want more inspiration or alternate versions of boxed-mix baked donuts, check out this detailed take on a simple glaze at Cake Mix Baked Cake Donuts – The BakerMama and a variety of flavor ideas at Cake Mix Donuts – Jennifer Meyering. Both resources are great for expanding on the basics and trying different finishing touches.
2-Ingredient Baked Cake Donuts
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan generously with nonstick spray or softened butter.
- In a large bowl, pour the box of cake mix and add your chosen mix-in (2 cups mashed banana, 2 cups cinnamon applesauce, or the entire 15 oz can of pumpkin).
- Stir until the batter is smooth and uniform, stopping once the dry streaks are gone.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each well about three-quarters full.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, testing doneness by checking if the donuts spring back when lightly touched or by inserting a toothpick (it should come out mostly clean).
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Once fully cool, frost and add sprinkles if desired.
