The Ultimate 20-Minute Pancake Donuts Recipe (Perfect for 4)

Transform your favorite breakfast into a delightful twist with these easy pancake donuts. Here’s what makes them special:

• Ready in just 20 minutes using basic pantry ingredients
• Perfect portion size for 4 people (makes 8 donuts)
• Crispy outside, fluffy inside – just like traditional pancakes
• Customizable with various toppings and mix-ins

Why You’ll Love These Pancake Donuts

Missing that donut shop taste but want the comfort of homemade pancakes? These pancake donuts combine the best of both worlds. Using simple ingredients and basic kitchen tools, you’ll create perfectly shaped donuts with that classic pancake taste.

Equipment & Ingredients

Kitchen Tools:

• Donut pan (6-cavity size) or silicone donut molds
• Mixing bowls (2)
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Piping bag or zip-top bag
• Cooking spray

Base Ingredients (Makes 8 Donuts):

• 2 cups pancake mix
• 1½ cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Classic Vanilla Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation (5 minutes):

1. Position your oven rack in the center. Turn on oven to 350°F (175°C). Wait 10 minutes for full preheating.
2. While oven heats:

• Place all ingredients on counter to reach room temperature
• Set up your workspace with mixing bowls, measuring tools, and whisk
• Put cooling rack near stove

1. Prepare donut pan:

• Hold cooking spray 6 inches from pan
• Spray each cavity thoroughly, including center posts
• Wipe excess spray from pan edges with paper towel

Mixing (5 minutes):

1. Combine dry and wet ingredients:

• Pour 2 cups pancake mix into large bowl
• Make a well (crater) in center of mix
• Pour 1½ cups milk into well
• Whisk gently in circular motion until just combined

1. Add eggs properly:

• Crack each egg into small separate bowl first to check quality
• Add eggs one at a time to batter
• Whisk after each egg until yolk disappears

1. Add remaining wet ingredients:

• Pour in 3 tablespoons melted (but not hot) butter
• Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Whisk 20-30 seconds until smooth
• Stop when no dry patches remain (tiny lumps are okay)

Baking (10 minutes):

1. Fill piping bag:

• Stand bag in tall glass, fold edges over rim
• Spoon batter into bag, filling halfway
• Twist top closed, pushing batter down
• Cut ½ inch off corner (measure with ruler)

1. Pipe batter carefully:

• Hold bag at 45-degree angle
• Start at one point of cavity
• Squeeze with steady pressure
• Move around cavity until ¾ full
• Stop squeezing, lift straight up

1. Check donuts:

• Tap pan gently on counter to level batter
• Wipe any spills from pan edges
• Each cavity should be evenly filled

1. Baking process:

• Place pan on center rack
• Set timer for 8 minutes
• Don’t open oven while baking
• Check at 8 minutes – donuts should be light golden
• Test with toothpick in center – should come out clean
• If needed, bake 1-2 minutes more

1. Cooling:

• Remove from oven with mitts
• Let pan sit 5 minutes
• Gently loosen edges with plastic knife
• Turn pan over onto cooling rack
• Cool 15 minutes before glazing

Glazing:

1. Prepare glaze:

• Sift 1 cup powdered sugar into bowl
• Add 2 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla
• Whisk until completely smooth
• Glaze should ribbon off whisk (add milk 1 teaspoon at a time if too thick)

1. Glaze donuts:

• Place wax paper under cooling rack
• Hold donut upside down
• Dip top half in glaze
• Let excess drip 5 seconds
• Turn right-side up on rack
• Let set 10 minutes before serving

1. Clean-up tip:

• Soak pan in warm water while enjoying donuts
• This makes cleaning easier later

Troubleshooting

• Donuts too dense: Don’t overmix batter
• Uneven shape: Pipe batter slowly and evenly
• Stuck to pan: Use more cooking spray
• Glaze too thick: Add milk, 1 teaspoon at a time

Variations

• Chocolate Chip: Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to batter
• Cinnamon Sugar: Skip glaze, coat in cinnamon-sugar mixture
• Caramel: Drizzle with caramel sauce after glazing
• Sprinkle: Top glazed donuts with rainbow sprinkles

Storage & Reheating

• Store in airtight container at room temperature for 1 day
• Refrigerate for up to 3 days
• Reheat in microwave for 10-15 seconds
• Freeze unglazed donuts for up to 1 month

Safety Tips

• Let pan cool completely before washing
• Keep children away from hot pan
• Use oven mitts when handling hot pan
• Don’t leave oven unattended while baking

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Note: Nutrition facts per serving (2 donuts): 320 calories, 12g fat, 48g carbohydrates, 6g protein. Suitable for vegetarian diets.