Celebrate Earth Day this April in a fun and delicious way with these adorable Earth Day Donuts! Made entirely from whole food plants, they're both tasty and healthy. Plus, they're a breeze to make! Instead of being fried, these donuts are baked, and they're filled with clean, wholesome ingredients. To top it off, the sweet buttercream frosting is beautifully colored with natural plant dyes, including blue and green spirulina powder. These donuts are not only cute but also a perfect way to honor our planet!
Donuts are a delicious treat that can be enjoyed for breakfast, as a midday snack, or shared with friends.
I perfected this vegan donut recipe by making it many times and getting the flavors absolutely perfect.
In this post, I share the following:
- Two different icing options: (1) vegan buttercream piping or (2) a smooth, traditional donut glaze.
- How to decorate the donuts with an Earth Day theme.
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Ingredients
The texture of these donuts is fluffy and cake-like, making them perfect to dunk in a warm beverage or enjoy with an iced coffee. Even though they're made with whole foods, you wouldn't be able to tell they're free from eggs, dairy butter, or milk. They have the same texture as a traditional donut.
Donuts
Flour - oat and almond flour are the two flours that make these donuts cake-like and gluten-free.
Spices - cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and salt
Sweetener - coconut sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract
Fluff - baking powder (aluminum-free), baking soda, unsweetened non-dairy milk, lemon juice.
Buttercream icing (vegan)
Vegan butter - the base of the recipe! It is best for the butter to be chilled in the fridge and brought out exactly when needed.
Monk fruit powder - a sugar-free alternative to powdered sugar. The brand I use is Lakanto, and it is found in most grocery stores.
Vanilla extract - for added flavoring
Natural dyes - blue and green spirulina
Traditional glaze
Plant milk - soy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk are preferred.
Monk fruit powder - a sugar-free alternative to powdered sugar. The brand I use is Lakanto, and it is found in most grocery stores.
Vanilla extract - for added flavoring
Natural dyes - blue and green spirulina
The traditional glaze will be a thin glaze that brings in sweetness, while the vegan butter whips into a creamy cake-like frosting. You can't go wrong with either one!
Both options will give your donuts a delicious and sweet topping. You can prepare either of the icings in just a few minutes while the donuts cool. To achieve the desired color, both icings use a natural dye like spirulina, beetroot powder, or turmeric.
See the recipe card for full quantities and instructions.
Instructions
These donuts take 20 minutes to prepare by adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until combined. Transfer the baking mix into a piping bag and fill the cavity of the donut tray. Slide the donuts into the oven and bake until risen, fluffy, and firm to the touch.
Decorating with a theme
To create an Earth Day themed design using buttercream icing, you'll need a simple piping bag with a star-shaped tip. Since the icing is mainly made with vegan butter and whipped in an electric mixer, it's important to work at a semi-fast pace, staying focused and uninterrupted.
Start by filling the piping bag with blue icing for the ocean, leaving gaps for the green land. To add a sweet touch, place a strawberry on the side using a small heart, star, or flower-shaped metal cutter.
Alternatively, for a glazed icing option, dip the top of the donuts halfway into the icing, which should be kept in a bowl. Place the donuts face up on a wire cooling rack, and within minutes the icing will dry and harden.
Equipment
You'll need a plastic or piping bag to apply the frosting and the donut batter to the tray.
To make donuts, you'll need a donut tray. I recommend using a non-stick tray and coating each cavity with a small amount of neutral oil or butter. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the tray, ensuring that your donuts come out perfectly.
Storage
To ensure maximum freshness, it is recommended to consume these donuts within two days. However, if you keep them longer, you can store them in the refrigerator without the icing for up to three days. When ready to eat, simply reheat them and then add the icing.
Alternatively, you can freeze the donuts for up to one month without the icing. While it is always best to enjoy these donuts fresh, freezing them can be a viable option when necessary.
Fun FAQ!
Doughnuts or Donuts?
Technically, the correct spelling of the tasty American baked good is "doughnut." However, "donut" is the abbreviation. Personally, I prefer the abbreviation "donut" since it feels and looks more aesthetically pleasing to me.
When is Earth Day?
Have your donuts prepped and decorated by April 22nd, to celebrate!
more delicious recipes to check out
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Earth Day Donuts
Equipment
- 1 donut tray
Ingredients
Donuts:
- 1 cup oat flour
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened nondairy milk (Plant milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Oil to grease the pan
Vegan Buttercream Icing:
- 1 cup vegan butter (sticks)
- 2 cups monk fruit powder, shifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt, omit if salted butter is used
- For Earth Day Donuts: blue and green spirulina powder Add a pinch, very small, then add more as you mix until desired color is reached.
- Optional: small strawberry cut into flower or heart
Instructions
Donuts:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly oil a nonstick donut tray.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, add all wet ingredients and mix.
- Using a stand mixer or a wooden spoon, slowly add in the wet ingredients until a thick donut batter is achieved. The batter should be thick but pourable. Add more plant milk if needed.
- Add the batter to the greased donut pan with a piping bag (you can make a homemade piping bag with a plastic bag by cutting a corner).
- Bake for 12-15 minutes; remove when the donut has risen to a golden brown top and the top is firm. Check by piercing with a knife; it's ready if the knife comes out clean!).
- Keep the donuts in the baking tray until cool, and wiggle the sides before removing the donuts. While the donuts cool, prepare the icing.
Prepare the Buttercream Icing:
- Chop the vegan butter into cubes and add to a large bowl. Beat the butter until creamy with an electric mixer.
- Add vanilla and salt to the bowl and beat until combined.
- Add 1 cup of sifted monk fruit powder until combined. Add the other 1 cup (2 cups total) and mix fully.
- Once combined, smooth, and fluffy transfer to separate bowls and add spirulina colors. Whip until the desired color is achieved.
- Transfer colored buttercream into a piping bag and decorate cooled donuts.
Notes
- 1 cups monk fruit powder sifted to remove clumps
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons plant milk of choice (Coconut milk is my preferred)
- Optional: blue or green spirulina powder. Add a pinch, very small, then add more as you mix until the desired color is reached.
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Mix all ingredients together until correct consistency - you want thick but runny.
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Add in any coloring powders if using.
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Keep the icing in a bowl and dunk the top of the donut halfway.
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Place the donut on a wire rack face up.
Meg says
Making these for a book club meeting I have same as Earth Day day! I think everyone will love the fun colors, so glad they’re healthy and natural