Strawberry Donut (Gluten Free & Dairy Free)

For many, the idea of enjoying a delicious donut conjures up images of sugary indulgence, but for those with dietary restrictions, finding a treat that meets their needs can often feel like a challenge. Enter the gluten-free and dairy-free strawberry donut – a delightful confection that satisfies cravings without sacrificing health or taste.

This strawberry donut recipe is perfect for the beginning of spring, a treat at the Forth of July, and even for a Berry First Birthday party! You might also like to try Cookie Dough Bites as another delicate treat!

Jump to:

• Allure of Donuts
• A Sweet Solution: Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Strawberry Donuts
• The Star Ingredient for Strawberry Donuts: Freeze Dried Strawberries
• Strawberry Donut: Gluten Free Base Is Forgiving
• The Sugar Matters in Strawberry Donuts
• Unrefined Cane Sugar
• Try Other Flavors, Strawberry Donuts Aren’t The Only Star
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Credit
• Top tip
• Strawberry Donut (GF/DF)
• Food safety

Allure of Donuts

For many, the idea of enjoying a delicious donut conjures up images of sugary indulgence, but for those with dietary restrictions, finding a treat that meets their needs can often feel like a challenge. Enter the gluten-free and dairy-free strawberry donut – a delightful confection that satisfies cravings without sacrificing health or taste.

A Sweet Solution: Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Strawberry Donuts

Fortunately, with the rise of gluten-free and dairy-free baking, enjoying a donut without worry is now possible. By using alternative flours and plant-based ingredients, bakers can create treats that are not only safe for those with dietary restrictions but also incredibly delicious- just like this Strawberry Donut.

The Star Ingredient for Strawberry Donuts: Freeze Dried Strawberries

Sweet Lessons Learned: A Berry First Birthday Mishap & Strawberry Donut

As I eagerly planned my daughter’s first birthday party, I wanted everything to be perfect – especially the treats. Inspired by the Berry First Birthday theme, I decided to make strawberry donuts. I used a recipe that I have used many times before. But, little did I know, one small change would make a large difference. I added fresh strawberries to the mix.

Armed with fresh strawberries and a sense of excitement, I set out to create the perfect donuts. Mixing, baking, and icing, I poured my heart into each step, envisioning the delight on my daughter’s face when she tasted her strawberry donut.

A Strawberry Donut Lesson on Preparing Ahead of Time

I prepped nearly 40 donuts for her party. After I baked the strawberry donuts I iced them and allowed the icing to dry. Instead of the picture-perfect treats I had envisioned, I returned to find a sight that left me disheartened. The once beautifully iced donuts now resembled uncooked strawberry donuts, with the icing seeping straight into their soft centers.

Quickly, I set to work to remove the fresh strawberries. I opted instead for a plain vanilla based donut iced with freeze-dried strawberry icing and topped with bits and pieces of freeze-dried strawberries for a sprinkle topping. The result? Pure strawberry donut bliss.

From that day forward, I’ve embraced freeze-dried strawberries as my go-to ingredient for strawberry donuts. Their concentrated flavor and low moisture content ensure that my treats turn out perfectly every time.

Exploring the Sweet and Crunchy World of Freeze-Dried Strawberries In The Strawberry Donut

In recent years, freeze-dried fruits have been gaining popularity as a convenient and nutritious snack option. Among these, freeze-dried strawberries stand out for their vibrant color, intense flavor, and satisfying crunch. Let’s take a closer look at what makes freeze-dried strawberries so special and how you can incorporate them into your baking.

The Freeze-Drying Process

Freeze-drying is a method of food preservation that involves freezing the fruit and then removing the water content through sublimation, a process where ice transitions directly into vapor without passing through the liquid phase. This gentle process helps retain the fruit’s natural flavor, color, and nutritional value while giving it a light and crispy texture. The lack of moisture made them a great alternative for the strawberry donuts

Intense Flavor, Minimal Ingredients, Strawberry Donut

One of the key benefits of freeze-dried strawberries is their concentrated flavor. Without the water content found in fresh strawberries, freeze-dried strawberries pack a punch of sweet and tangy flavor in every bite. Plus, since they undergo minimal processing, they typically contain no added sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors, making them a great addition to healthier strawberry donuts.

Taming Moisture: Freeze-Dried Strawberries Come to the Rescue in the Strawberry Donut

When it comes to baking, especially when crafting delicate treats like strawberry donuts, controlling moisture levels is crucial. Fresh strawberries, while bursting with flavor and juiciness, can pose a challenge by introducing excess moisture, leading to soggy textures and seeping icings. Enter freeze-dried strawberries – a game-changer in the world of strawberry donuts.

The Moisture Dilemma & The Strawberry Donut

Fresh strawberries are a baker’s dream in terms of flavor, but their high water content can wreak havoc on recipes, especially when it comes to delicate pastries like these strawberry donuts. The excess moisture from fresh strawberries can cause the icing to seep into the donut, compromising its texture and presentation. This can be particularly problematic when trying to achieve that perfect balance of sweetness and moisture in each bite.

Freeze-Dried Strawberries: The Solution for The Strawberry Donut

Freeze-dried strawberries offer a simple yet effective solution to the moisture dilemma. Through the freeze-drying process, the strawberries’ water content is removed, leaving behind concentrated flavor and a light, crispy texture. This makes freeze-dried strawberries an ideal addition to strawberry donuts, as they add intense strawberry flavor without introducing excess moisture.

Packing a Punch of Flavor

Not only do freeze-dried strawberries help combat moisture issues, but they also pack a powerful punch of strawberry flavor. Because the water has been removed, the natural sweetness and tanginess of the strawberries are intensified, creating a more pronounced and concentrated taste experience. This makes freeze-dried strawberries a versatile ingredient that can elevate the flavor profile of strawberry donuts and other baked goods.

Strawberry Donut: Gluten Free Base Is Forgiving

In the realm of gluten-free baking, finding a reliable and forgiving recipe is like discovering gold. When it comes to crafting delectable gluten free donuts, I’ve stumbled upon a gem – a base recipe that’s not only easy to whip up but also yields consistency each time.

What makes this gluten-free donut base stand out is its forgiving nature. Unlike some finicky recipes that require precise measurements and a strict order of ingredient addition, this recipe is refreshingly laid-back. While following the suggested order can certainly help, it’s not imperative – the batter remains forgiving, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers alike.

The Sugar Matters in Strawberry Donuts

One of the key lessons I’ve learned along the way is the importance of selecting the right type of sugar. Initially, I experimented with various sweeteners, from maple syrup to coconut sugar. While these options added their own unique flavors, they also introduced unforeseen challenges.

Maple syrup, for all its natural sweetness, tended to add too much moisture to the recipe, resulting in a denser and stickier texture. On the other hand, coconut sugar, while imparting a delightful caramel-like flavor, also brought an unwanted side effect. The donuts turned out darker than desired, detracting from their visual appeal.

Unrefined Cane Sugar

In my quest for the perfect sweetener, I eventually found solace in pure, slightly or unrefined cane sugar. Not only does it provide the right amount of sweetness without overwhelming the palate, but it also maintains the desired texture and color of the donuts. It’s the ideal complement to the other ingredients, enhancing their flavors without overshadowing them. The less processed a sugar is, the easier the body can process it.

Not Too Sweet- Delicate Strawberry Donuts

What sets this gluten-free donut base apart is its subtle sweetness. Unlike traditional donuts that can sometimes border on cloying, these treats strike the perfect balance. The modest amount of sugar allows the natural flavors of the other ingredients to shine through, creating a harmonious symphony of taste with each bite.

Try Other Flavors, Strawberry Donuts Aren’t The Only Star

Try other freeze dried fruits for different donut flavors: blueberry, raspberry, etc. You could also try these fruits in Cookie Dough Bites.

Ingredients

• Eggs
• Avocado oil
• Unrefined cane sugar
• Pure vanilla extract
• Gluten-free all-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Powdered sugar
• Milk of choice
• Freeze-dried strawberries

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Use this section for process shots, alternating between the step and image showing the step. Users don’t like seeing process shots cluttering up the recipe card, so include your process shots here.

Hint: Add a little freeze-dried strawberry powder at a time until you find your perfect color.

Substitutions

Oil: Try coconut!

Sugar: Maple syrup is too moist, coconut sugar makes the batter too dark.

Variations

Fruits: Try other freeze dried fruits for different donut flavors: blueberry, raspberry, etc.

Equipment

6 Cavity Donut Pan

Storage

Store in the freezer for 3 weeks or in the refrigerator for 3 days.

Credit

The base of the Strawberry Donut comes from The Real Food Dietitians.

Food safety

We sometimes take for a granted that we have years (or decades) of cooking experience, that the average visitor may not. Add to, or remove from, the list below with health and safety tips.

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.