Go Back

2-Ingredient Baked Cake Donuts

Quick and nostalgic, these baked cake donuts are made with just a box of cake mix and a simple fruit or pumpkin mash, offering a healthier alternative to traditional fried donuts.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 donuts
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 box cake mix (any flavor — chocolate, vanilla, spice, or yellow)
  • 2 cups mashed banana OR cinnamon applesauce OR pure pumpkin Choose only one of these mix-ins per batch.
  • to taste frosting (any flavor) for topping
  • to taste sprinkles for decoration

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan generously with nonstick spray or softened butter.
  2. 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).
  3. Stir until the batter is smooth and uniform, stopping once the dry streaks are gone.
Baking
  1. Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each well about three-quarters full.
  2. 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).
Cooling and Decorating
  1. Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  2. Once fully cool, frost and add sprinkles if desired.

Notes

Store unfrosted donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If frosted with dairy-based frosting, refrigerate and eat within 4–5 days. You can freeze unfrosted donuts for up to 3 months.