These baked strawberry donuts are light, fluffy, and soft, then finished with a sweet homemade strawberry icing that makes them hard to resist. Easy to make and full of fresh strawberry flavor, they’re perfect for slow mornings, weekend brunch, or anytime you want something that feels a little special. Whether you call them breakfast or dessert, one thing is certain — they disappear fast.

Baked Strawberry Rose Cream Donuts with Strawberry Icing

recipe highlights

Soft and fluffy texture: These donuts bake up light and tender, with a soft bite that feels bakery-style without frying.
Sweet strawberry flavor: Real strawberry flavor shines through in both the donuts and the homemade icing.
Easy baked recipe: No deep frying required. Just mix, bake, and drizzle with icing.
Perfect for brunch: These donuts are right at home on a brunch table but still work as a sweet treat any time of day.
Simple ingredients: Made with basic pantry staples, plus strawberries for fresh flavor.
Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing: The pink icing and soft texture make these a favorite for both kids and adults.
Great make-ahead option: Bake them in advance and ice when ready to serve.

ingredients and substitutions

all purpose flour – we have not tested this donut with any other type of flour.
granulated sugar
baking powder
salt
eggs
heavy cream – you could also use half and half but expect a slightly less rich, tender, and moist result because half-and-half has much less fat than heavy cream, For best results I would not substitute milk of any kind.
unsalted butter – It’s best to not use salted butter, but if you only have that, omit the salt from the recipe
vanilla extract – you can also substitute with strawberry extract for more strawberry flavor or try almond extract for a different flavor pairing.
fresh strawberries – do not use frozen strawberries for this recipe – the moisture content is too high and will make the batter much looser than it should be.
half-and-half cream – could substitute heavy cream if you wanted, but it will make the icing richer, thicker, and denser – you can thin it out a little with milk or water in very small amounts until you get the desired consistency.
powdered sugar

Get the full ingredient list and full instructions in the printable recipe card below.

Please note: Making changes to any recipe as written can result in a recipe failure.
Any substitutions or variations listed are simple or tried and true changes that we think will work in this recipe.
Results are not guaranteed.

tips for baking soft donuts

Let donuts cool properly
Allow donuts to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack so they finish setting without drying out.

Do not overbake
Baked donuts cook quickly. Remove them from the oven as soon as the tops spring back lightly when touched. Overbaking is the fastest way to dry them out.

Measure flour carefully
Too much flour can make donuts dense. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off instead of scooping directly from the bag.

Use room-temperature ingredients
Eggs, milk, and butter mix more evenly when they aren’t cold, which helps create a soft, tender texture.

Fill the donut pan evenly
Filling each cavity about ¾ full helps the donuts bake evenly and stay light.

tips for keeping donuts softer longer

Cool completely before storing – Trapping heat creates condensation, which can make donuts soggy instead of soft.
Store in an airtight container – Keeping air out is key to maintaining a fluffy texture.
Avoid refrigeration when possible – The fridge can dry out baked goods. If you do refrigerate, let donuts come to room temperature before serving.
Warm briefly before eating – A quick 5–8 seconds in the microwave helps restore that fresh-baked softness.

storage tips & leftovers

Everyone thinks the traditional cookie jar is the best way to store cookies without any thought, but that isn’t really true. Here are some tips to keep your cookies fresh and delicious for days:

storage tips

Room temperature: Once completely cooled, store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: If the donuts are already iced, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let them sit at room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Layer carefully: Place parchment or wax paper between layers to keep the icing from sticking.

freezing tips

Freeze before icing: For best results, freeze the donuts without the icing. Once cooled, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Prevent freezer burn: Wrap donuts individually in plastic wrap before freezing to help protect their texture and flavor.
Thawing: Thaw frozen donuts at room temperature for 30–45 minutes, then add icing before serving.

reheating tips

Microwave: Warm un-iced donuts in the microwave for 5–8 seconds to bring back their soft, fresh-baked texture.
From frozen: Thaw donuts first, then warm briefly if desired before icing.
Avoid overheating: Too much heat can melt the icing and dry out the donuts, so gentle warming is best.

By following these tips, you can enjoy your homemade donuts for days (or even weeks with freezing).

Make-Ahead

This recipe can absolutely be made up to 24 hours in advance. Follow the instructions below for best results.

Prepare the batter ahead of time: Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, stir the batter gently to bring it back together before filling the donut pan.
Freeze the donuts before icing: Bake the donuts and allow them to cool completely, then freeze them without the icing. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw the donuts at room temperature and add the icing just before serving.
Icing prep: The strawberry icing can also be made ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to drizzle the icing, just give it a quick stir and it’ll be ready to use.
Fresh donut option: For fresh donuts in the morning, you can prepare the batter and icing the night before, then bake and ice the donuts in the morning.