The classic Key Lime Pie gets an irresistible makeover with our Baked Key Lime Donuts. Perfectly crunchy on the outside and light and airy on the inside, these vibrant, tangy treats add a bright pop of color, with tasty lime juice found in every tempting bite.
Key Lime Donuts
Makes 12 donuts
- 1¼ cups (156 grams) unbleached cake flour
- ¾ teaspoon (2.25 grams) kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) of baking soda
- ½ cup (100 grams) of granulated sugar
- 2 spoons (6 grams) lime zest
- ¼ cup (60 grams) whole buttermilk, room temperature
- 1 large egg (50 grams), room temperature
- 5 spoons (75 grams) fresh lime juice or key lime juice (see PRO TIP), divided
- 3 spoons (42 grams) vegetable oil
- 1½ cups (180 grams) icing sugar
- Green and yellow liquid food coloring
- Topping: Graham cracker crumbs, lime zest
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Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Butter and flour 2 (6-well) donut pans.
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In a small bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and lime zest until the zest is evenly distributed. Add buttermilk, egg, 3 tablespoons (45 grams) lime juice, and oil. Beat until combined. Add the flour mixture and blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a pastry bag and cut a ½-inch opening at the tip. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared wells (about 2 heaped tablespoons or 35 grams each).
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Bake until puffed and edges are golden, 8 to 10 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through baking. Leave to cool on the trays for 10 minutes. Turn the donuts onto a rack and let them cool completely.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and the remaining 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of lime juice. Dyed with food coloring as desired. Carefully dip the top of each donut into the glaze. Garnish with graham cracker crumbs and lime zest, if desired. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
FOR ADVICE
Fresh lime juice works well in this recipe, but to make it a real baked Key lime, use bottled Key lime juice like Nellie & Joe’s famous Key West Lime Juice. Juicing Key limes can be incredibly difficult due to their small size, and we find store-bought juice to be just as effective as fresh juice.
