Ingredients:
For the Donuts:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
Optional: Yellow food coloring for a brighter glaze
Instructions:
For the Donuts:
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, buttermilk, egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
Combine Mixtures: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
Fill Donut Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the donuts spring back when touched.
Cool: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Lemon Glaze:
Prepare Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Add yellow food coloring if desired.
Dip Donuts: Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the tops of each donut into the lemon glaze, allowing any excess to drip off.
Optional: Zest Topping: If desired, sprinkle additional lemon zest on top of the glaze for extra flavor and decoration.
Let Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Notes:
Freshness: These lemon donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container for a day or two.
Variations: Feel free to experiment with different glazes or add-ins, such as poppy seeds, for extra texture.
Portion Control: Be mindful of portion sizes to stay within your desired SmartPoints range.
