Bee Doughnuts

Bee Doughnuts are an adorable and delicious treat that’s as fun to make as they are to eat. These fluffy doughnuts are decorated with yellow icing, chocolate stripes, and candy wings to resemble cute bees, making them perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or a sweet snack to brighten someone’s day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Cute and Creative: Perfect for themed parties or celebrations.
  • Deliciously Sweet: Soft doughnuts with a sugary glaze and chocolate accents.
  • Customizable: Choose your favorite doughnut flavors and toppings.
  • Fun Activity: Great for baking with kids or for a creative dessert project.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Doughnuts:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Granulated sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Milk
  • Unsalted butter, melted
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract

For Decoration:

  • Yellow icing or glaze (store-bought or homemade)
  • Melted chocolate or chocolate icing (for stripes)
  • Candy eyes
  • Almond slices or white chocolate chips (for wings)

Optional: Edible glitter or sprinkles for added sparkle.

Directions

Make the Doughnuts:

  1. Preheat the Oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a doughnut pan.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
    • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients:
    • In another bowl, mix milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Make the Batter:
    • Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Fill the Doughnut Pan:
    • Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full.
  6. Bake:
    • Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the doughnuts spring back when lightly touched. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorate the Doughnuts:

  1. Prepare the Icing:
    • If making your own glaze, mix powdered sugar with a few tablespoons of milk and yellow food coloring until smooth and spreadable.
  2. Coat the Doughnuts:
    • Dip the tops of the cooled doughnuts into the yellow icing, letting any excess drip off.
  3. Add the Stripes and Eyes:
    • Use melted chocolate or chocolate icing to pipe stripes across the doughnuts. Attach candy eyes near the center.
  4. Create the Wings:
    • Insert almond slices or white chocolate chips on each side of the doughnuts to resemble wings.
  5. Set and Serve:
    • Let the icing set for a few minutes before serving.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: Makes about 8 doughnuts
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Decoration Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes

Variations

  • Chocolate Doughnuts: Replace some of the flour with cocoa powder for a chocolate base.
  • Lemon Flavor: Add lemon zest to the batter and glaze for a citrusy twist.
  • Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute.
  • No-Bake Option: Use store-bought plain doughnuts and focus on the decoration.

Storage

  • Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Refrigeration: Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
  • Freezing: Freeze undecorated doughnuts in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw and decorate when ready to serve.

FAQs

1. Can I make these doughnuts without a doughnut pan?

Yes, use a muffin tin and shape foil into cylinders to create a doughnut hole in the center.

2. Can I use a different glaze color?

Absolutely! Customize the color to fit your theme or event.

3. What can I use instead of candy eyes?

Use small dots of white chocolate with a dab of melted dark chocolate for the pupils.

4. How do I make the glaze thicker?

Add more powdered sugar to achieve a thicker consistency.

5. Can I fry the doughnuts instead?

Yes, adapt this recipe to a yeast-based dough if you prefer fried doughnuts.

6. Are these doughnuts nut-free?

Skip the almond slices and use fondant or another wing substitute for a nut-free version.

7. How do I pipe the stripes neatly?

Use a piping bag with a fine tip or a resealable plastic bag with a small corner snipped off.

8. Can I make these vegan?

Yes, substitute milk with almond or oat milk, and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water).

9. Can I make mini bee doughnuts?

Yes, use a mini doughnut pan and adjust the baking time to 7-9 minutes.

10. How do I make the wings sturdier?

Dip the almond slices or white chocolate chips in melted chocolate before attaching them to the doughnuts.

Conclusion

Bee Doughnuts are an irresistibly cute and delicious dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With their vibrant yellow glaze, chocolate stripes, and whimsical candy wings, they’re guaranteed to impress kids and adults alike. Whether for a themed party, holiday, or fun baking project, these doughnuts are a delightful treat that everyone will love. Try them today and buzz into sweetness!

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Bee Doughnuts

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These adorable bee-themed doughnuts are as cute as they are delicious! Soft, fluffy doughnuts are decorated with yellow icing, chocolate stripes, and candy wings, making them perfect for a party or a fun baking project with kids.

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes (baked) or 15 minutes (fried)
  • Total Time: 32–35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 doughnuts 1x
  • Category: Dessert, Snack
  • Method: Baking or Frying
  • Cuisine: Fun Desserts

Ingredients

Scale

For the Doughnuts (Baked or Fried):

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Decorations:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3–4 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
  • Yellow food coloring
  • 1/2 cup melted chocolate or chocolate frosting (for stripes)
  • Mini candy eyes
  • Sliced almonds or white chocolate discs (for wings)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Doughnuts:
    • For Baked Doughnuts: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a doughnut pan.
      • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
      • In another bowl, mix the milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
      • Pipe or spoon the batter into the doughnut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before decorating.
    • For Fried Doughnuts: Follow your favorite yeast doughnut recipe or use store-bought doughnuts as a shortcut.
  2. Make the Yellow Icing:
    • In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Add a few drops of yellow food coloring and mix until evenly colored. Adjust the consistency as needed by adding more milk (for thinner icing) or powdered sugar (for thicker icing).
  3. Decorate the Doughnuts:
    • Dip the top of each cooled doughnut into the yellow icing and let the excess drip off. Place on a wire rack to set.
    • Use melted chocolate or chocolate frosting to pipe horizontal stripes across the doughnuts for the “bee body.”
    • Attach mini candy eyes near the top of the doughnuts using a small dab of icing.
    • Insert sliced almonds or white chocolate discs on either side of the doughnut for wings.
  4. Serve:
    • Allow the decorations to set for 10–15 minutes before serving. Enjoy these delightful bee doughnuts with family and friends!

Notes

  • If using fried doughnuts, glaze them with yellow icing while still warm for better adhesion.
  • For a nut-free version, use fondant or candy melts instead of almonds for the wings.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

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