Earlier this year, I tried the new and improved Melt Organic buttery spread in a delicious Dairy-Free Pommes Anna Recipe. That incredible buttery goodness was amazing with potatoes, but I still needed to put Melt to the ultimate test: baking. After using up several tubs as a spread and for general cooking, I finally gave Melt a whirl in a new recipe, Dairy-Free Cake Donuts. Oh my, we were not disappointed. I ended up loving them so much, that I made a few different variations, including these Strawberry Shortcake Donuts.
Rethink Strawberry Shortcake with these Special Dairy-Free Donuts
Traditional cake donuts are actually fried and usually made with dairy. These strawberry shortcake donuts are baked, dairy-free, and even made with whole grains (white-wheat flour is actually 100% whole wheat!), but thanks to the ingredients and method, they taste pretty darn close to the guilty originals.
And they were the perfect base for making dairy-free strawberry shortcake donuts. I started with my dairy-free whipped cream recipe, but whipped in a little buttery spread for a little more stability and to create a creamier whipped frosting type of consistency. It also adds a touch of saltiness that heightens the sweet vanilla flavor.
This post was originally sponsored by MELT Organic, but all thoughts are my own and I do buy this product myself!
Special Diet Notes: Strawberry Shortcake Donuts
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, optionally egg-free, optionally gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, optionally vegan, and vegetarian. The toppings are top allergen-free and the donut recipe does have suggested options for various special diet needs.
- 1 cup coconut cream (see Coconut Cream Note below)
- 2 tablespoons dairy-free buttery spread or sticks (I used Melt Organic)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, plus additional for dusting
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla flavoring or extract, or more to taste
- 1 pound strawberries, stemmed and diced
- 1 batch Dairy-Free Baked Cake Donuts
- Place the coconut cream, butter alternative, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a chilled mixing bowl, and blend with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Taste, and add more vanilla, if desired.
- Place the icing in the refrigerator to chill and re-thicken while you make the donuts.
- Let the donuts cool completely.
- To serve, give the dairy-fee topping a quick whisk and dollop atop the cooled donuts. Top with diced strawberries. If desired, dust the tops with powdered sugar.
31 Comments
Pingback: 10 Dairy-Free Mother's Day Recipes That Will Make Breakfast Special
Pingback: 20 Strawberry Shortcake Recipes for Summer • Healthy Helper
What a fun recipe! Gotta look out for that Melt spread!
Donuts are totally my jam! AND then when they’re healthy? I could eat ALL of these! So perfect and summery too!
My kids were just asking for strawberry shortcake today! I love that this is baked, too!
I have no doubt these taste as amazing as they look – WOW!
I think so 🙂
You’ve managed to make donuts healthy and delicious! Genius!
Thanks Valerie!
I can already imagine the smiling and grateful faces that I will get when I make these for my kids! These donuts look fabulous!
Oh, I hope they do get the chance to enjoy them 🙂
These gluten-free, dairy-free doughnuts came out looking way better than my “normal” baked doughnuts! You have me super intrigued! My daughter starts school this year and I bet she will have at least one friend with an allergy so I love keeping recipes like this around.
Awesome! Even without allergies, the base recipe is pretty “normal” 🙂
I have a donut shaped baking pan that I’ve never actually used. Now I have a reason to try it. These look fantastic. 🙂
Thanks Susan!
I have to say, I’ve eaten many lack-luster baked donuts, but your recipe may just be able to redeem the concept. That looks fantastic!
I think you would like this variation Hannah – but knowing you, you would perfect the egg-free variation – aquafaba maybe? 🙂
This looks and sounds incredible! I’ll have to check out MELT, too!
Isn’t everything better with full-fat coconut milk…?? 😉
Indeed!
Strawberry shortcake is one of my favorite summertime desserts, I love your idea to make a donut version, they sound wonderful!
Mine too, thanks Joy!
Holy yum! I tried Melt Organic for the first time earlier this year and loved it. It’s a great alternative for those who can’t have or don’t like dairy.
Indeed, it’s great and works so perfectly in recipes! Also great for people who want a good omega-balanced option.
These look amazing, and I definitely think this will be made in the near future!
Thank you Kaitie and I hope you do get the chance to enjoy!
You know I’m all about the baked doughnuts!! Fabulous summery recipe too!
Thanks Rebecca!
This means only one thing: I must go buy a donut pan. I have a donut maker, so I may take that out on a spin. But I need an excuse for a donut pan along with a great idea for the over purchasing of strawberries in my house. Thanks for the fun the idea–especially the icing…my head is whirling with ideas to use that on other items.
Glad you like it Caroline! In the mean time I’ve included directions for making without a donut pan, but it may work in your donut maker!
My kids were just requesting doughnuts the other day! And our chocolate lover recently discovered she also likes strawberry cake. This sounds like the perfect recipe for us!
Talk about timing! It’s always fun when kids discover new likes, too!