If you love a treat that bursts with nostalgic flavor and a tender crumb, you simply must try Old fashioned cake donuts. These delightful classics are a step back in time, featuring a subtly spiced, rich dough that fries up golden and sings with notes of nutmeg and cinnamon. Finished with a sweet glaze, each bite is a celebration—perfect for cozy mornings, sharing with family, or reliving the charm of your favorite mom-and-pop bakery right at home.

Old fashioned cake donuts Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Old fashioned cake donuts lies in their simplicity—the ingredients come together easily, but each one plays a key role in delivering that signature crumb, rich flavor, and glorious old-school aroma. Don’t skip or substitute; every spoonful and dash truly matters here!

White sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a lovely tender crumb.
Butter: Adds richness and that unmistakable homemade taste.
Egg yolks: Amp up the richness and give the donuts their beautiful, golden hue.
Sour cream: The secret to ultra-moist, soft donuts; it creates the classic cake donut texture.
All-purpose flour: Gives structure to your dough—be sure to measure carefully for the best results.
Baking powder: Helps the donuts puff up beautifully in the oil.
Baking soda: Works with the sour cream to add extra lift and lightness.
Cinnamon: Adds warmth and a homey spice note that’s simply irresistible.
Nutmeg: Just a touch brings that classic donut shop flavor—don’t be shy, but don’t overdo it!
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all those gorgeous flavors.
Frying oil (canola or vegetable): Choose a neutral oil for crisp, golden donuts every time.
Icing sugar: Makes the glaze perfectly smooth and sweet.
Milk: Thins the glaze to just the right consistency for dipping.
More salt (for glaze): Just a pinch keeps everything from being too sweet.

How to Make Old fashioned cake donuts

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by sifting the flour, baking powder, and baking soda together into a large bowl. Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, making sure the spices are evenly distributed throughout your flour mixture. This sets up that lovely aromatic base for your Old fashioned cake donuts and ensures every bite is perfectly flavored.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Sugar, and Egg Yolks

In another mixing bowl, beat the sugar, softened butter, and egg yolks together until the mixture is light, airy, and pale in color—about 2 minutes is just right. This step incorporates air, yielding donuts that are fluffy and light, not dense or heavy. Don’t rush it!

Step 3: Add Sour Cream

Scrape down the sides of your bowl, then add the sour cream. Beat on medium speed until the batter is completely smooth—no streaks, no lumps. The sour cream is what gives Old fashioned cake donuts that unmistakable moistness and that classic “cakey” character.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, just a tablespoon at a time, gently folding them in. Avoid overmixing; you want to keep that tender texture alive. When everything is just combined, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour (or even up to a week if you like prepping in advance!).

Step 5: Roll and Cut the Donuts

Generously flour your work surface and roll out your chilled dough to about 1 cm thickness. Use a donut cutter, glass, or even a cookie cutter to cut out rounds and punch out the centers—don’t forget to save the holes for frying, too! For a classic look and that extra texture, make three light triangle-shaped incisions in the top as a finishing touch before frying.

Step 6: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat at least 5 cm of canola or vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 350°F. Carefully lower in two or three donuts at a time, making sure they don’t overlap. Once they puff and float, give them another 30 seconds, then flip. Cook each side for 1 to 1.5 minutes until deeply golden. Transfer to a rack to cool—you’re halfway to Old fashioned cake donuts bliss!

Step 7: Glaze the Donuts

Prepare your glaze by whisking icing sugar, milk, and a pinch of salt together until smooth. For an extra-luxurious finish, gently heat the glaze over a bain-marie while whisking. Dip each donut into the glaze once they’re cool enough to handle, letting the excess drip off. Set back on the rack until set (if you can wait that long!).

How to Serve Old fashioned cake donuts

Garnishes

Classic glaze is always a winner, but why not sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar, toasted nuts, or even colorful sprinkles over the wet glaze? A dusting of extra nutmeg or a light vanilla bean drizzle can also add a special touch to these Old fashioned cake donuts.

Side Dishes

There’s nothing quite like serving Old fashioned cake donuts alongside a piping hot mug of coffee or a cold glass of milk. For brunch, try pairing with fresh fruit salad or creamy Greek yogurt—these donuts thrive in good company!

Creative Ways to Present

Stack your Old fashioned cake donuts on a beautiful platter, thread them onto skewers for a fun party treat, or create a donut tower centerpiece for a unique brunch display. Arrange donut holes in cute paper cones for grab-and-go joy at any gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If (and that’s a big if) you have any leftover Old fashioned cake donuts, let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to two days—just be sure to keep them away from humidity, which can cause the glaze to melt.

Freezing

These donuts freeze beautifully! Arrange the cooled Old fashioned cake donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze for about an hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature and enjoy.

Reheating

To bring back that just-baked warmth, pop a donut in the microwave for about 10 seconds, or reheat in a low oven (about 300°F) until warmed through. Don’t overdo it, as you want the glaze to remain perfectly set and the crumb moist.

FAQs

Can I bake these instead of frying?

While baking is possible, Old fashioned cake donuts truly shine when fried, developing that iconic golden crust. Baking may produce a tasty treat, but the texture and flavor will be a bit different—fried is worth it for donut authenticity!

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

You can substitute whole milk Greek yogurt for sour cream, but it will change the flavor and possibly the texture slightly. Sour cream really delivers that classic tang and moistness, so use it if you can.

How do I keep my donuts from being greasy?

Make sure your oil is at a steady 350°F. Too cool and the donuts will absorb oil, too hot and they could brown too quickly without cooking through. A thermometer is your best donut-frying friend!

Why is my dough sticky?

A slightly sticky dough is normal, but if it’s too challenging to roll out, dust your work surface and rolling pin generously with flour. Chilling as directed helps firm the dough as well—don’t skip the refrigeration step!

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! Old fashioned cake donuts are perfect for sharing, so feel free to double (or even triple) the batch. You may need to work in batches when frying, and don’t forget extra glaze for dipping.

Final Thoughts

There’s truly something magical about there’s truly something magical about baking your own Old fashioned cake donuts at home—the aroma, the texture, the pride of serving a homemade classic. Gather your ingredients, invite a friend, and savor every warm, sweet bite!