Old Fashioned Cake Doughnuts

These Old Fashioned Cake Doughnuts are a delightful taste of nostalgia. They feature a dense, cake-like texture and subtle sweetness. They’re dipped in a creamy powdered sugar glaze making them a popular dessert staple year-round.

Easy Old Fashioned Cake Doughnuts Recipe

Old fashioned cake doughnuts have been enjoyed in America since the 19th century. For me, they’re a happy childhood memory and among my family’s all time favorite donut treats. These doughnuts are fried rather than baked, giving them a crispy exterior while maintaining a soft cakey interior.

Cake doughnuts are more dense than yeast donuts which only adds to their appeal. They’re fried in vegetable oil until they’re golden brown, adding to their rich flavor and then dipped into a sweet glaze to seal the deal.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make easy Old Fashioned Cake Doughnuts: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Flour – All purpose flour forms the base of the dough.
• Leavening – Baking powder and salt give lift to the dough while frying.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar (white sugar) for sweetness.
• Spices – Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg add just a hint of spice, that’s not overpowering.
• Liquid – Buttermilk or whole milk for moisture.
• Fats – Solid vegetable shortening gives the doughnuts a stable texture for frying. You’ll also need vegetable oil for frying.
• Flavoring – Vanilla extract balances the flavor with floral creamy notes.
• Whole Egg – One large egg stabilizes the batter.
• Ingredients for the Glaze – Powdered sugar, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, almond extract.

How to Make the BEST Old Fashioned Cake Doughnuts Recipe

• Sift the Dry Ingredients – Use a whisk to sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
• Wet Ingredients – In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted shortening, vanilla extract and egg until well combined.
• Combine – Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
• Roll the Dough – Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and turn to coat with just enough flour that it’s not tacky. Roll it out to 1/2-inch thickness.
• Cut into Rounds – Use a donut cutter or a 3-inch biscuit cutter to cut the dough into rounds. If using a biscuit cutter, use a 1 inch cutter for the centers. Gather any scraps, reroll and cut out more doughnuts until all the dough is used.
• Fry the Doughnuts – Heat oil in a deep fryer or 6 quart Dutch oven on the stovetop. Carefully add the doughnuts to the hot oil frying in batches until they are golden brown and cooked through.
• Remove from Oil – Remove the doughnuts from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined sheet pan to drain excess oil.
• Make the Sweet Glaze – Whisk together butter, milk, vanilla and almond extract. Dip warm doughnuts in the glaze, then enjoy.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Old-Fashioned Cake Doughnuts

• Large Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot.
• Fry thermometer.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Doughnut cutter.
• Large bowl, medium bowl and small bowl.
• Balloon whisk.
• Baking sheet pan lined with paper towels.
• Stainless steel spider or slotted spoon to remove the doughnuts from the hot oil.
• Wire rack.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Flour – You can use the same amount of cake flour, in place of all purpose flour.
• Glaze Variations – While old fashioned cake doughnuts are delicious on their own dipped in a homemade glaze, they can also be coated with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar and topped with melted chocolate icing or a maple glaze.
• Sprinkles – You could decorate these cake donuts with sprinkles, nuts, mini chocolate chips, toffee bits or festive seasonal nonpareils.
• Oil – It’s important to use an oil for frying doughnuts that has a neutral flavor such as vegetable oil or canola oil. Olive oil isn’t suitable for frying these cake doughnuts.
• Monitor the Oil Temperature – It’s important to monitor the temperature of the oil. If it drops too low, the donuts can absorb too much oil making them greasy. If the temperature is too high, they’ll burn. 
• Flavoring – You could use lemon extract or add fresh grated citrus zest to the wet ingredients to change the flavor profile.
• Donut Holes – Fry the centers and treat the kids to homemade donut holes just like you get at your favorite bakery!

Storage and Leftovers

• Make-Ahead Tip – You can prepare the dough, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to fry the doughnuts.
• Leftovers – Store glazed Cake Doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If stacking place wax paper or plastic wrap between the doughnuts to prevent sticking.
• Reheating Old-Fashioned Donuts – If you’re a fan of warm doughnuts, reheat them gently in the microwave for snacking.
• Freezer Tips – You can freeze cake doughnuts for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge.

More Doughnut Recipes to Make

• Copycat Krispy Kreme Glazed Yeast Doughnuts.
• You can fill these Jelly Doughnuts with your favorite flavor.
• Buttermilk Glazed Blueberry Doughnuts are baked not fried.
• Brownie-like Chocolate Doughnuts.
• Apple Cider Doughnuts are fall ready.
• New Orleans Beignets are pockets of fried dough coated with powdered sugar.
• Glazed Strawberry Doughnuts are filled with sweet fresh strawberries.
• Gluten Free Donuts from The First Year Blog.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Dutch Oven
• Mixing Bowl
• Doughnut Cutter
• Measuring Set