Forget the flowers! Give the gift that everyone really wants…….DONUTS!!! Whenever I see donuts my eyes glaze over and I immediately channel my inner Homer Simpson. Mmmmmm donuts!!! Whenever I had slumber parties as a kid, my mom would run out to Dunkin Donuts the next morning to grab us breakfast. I was a sucker for the “pink donuts” the ones with the pink frosting. To this day I still run into childhood friends that remember the pink donuts and the sleepovers all these years later. As an adult my love of donuts has evolved….but not that much. We have a local donut place, Paula’s Donuts, that has THE best red velvet donuts!!! Like seriously I’ve dreamt about them. Not even kidding!! They are my absolute favorite and I’m sure they’ll be popping up on the blog at some point pretty soon! So basically I’ve just gone from pink to red. Either way my choice of donut colors (and flavors) are perfect for Valentine’s Day so what better time to share this recipe?!? Plus we all know my love language is food!

Here’s all you need: flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, buttermilk, butter, vanilla extract, eggs, red food coloring, cream cheese, milk, confectioners sugar, and sprinkles.

In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cocoa powder, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder. How fun would it be to MAKE these Red Velvet Donuts at a sleepover?!? Calling all my grade school friends, we’re totally doing this next year for my birthday!! You know who you are!!

In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, buttermilk, eggs, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

Gently stir the mixture with a spoon until just combined. A few clumps are ok. You don’t want to over mix!

Fold in the red food coloring and stir until fully incorporated. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. No chocolate left behind!

Grease the donut pans lightly with cooking spray. Carefully spoon the batter into the pans. You can even go a little less than what’s pictured below. This was my donut pan test run and I got a little heavy handed! Make sure you don’t cover the middles. That’s how we get the holes in the middle! Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 10-12 minutes.

Allow the donuts to cool for a few minutes in the pans before transferring to wire racks. Cool completely. Red Velvet Donuts are so velvety soft with just a hint of cocoa flavor hidden inside!

While the donuts are cooling, we can go ahead and make our cream cheese glaze, because cream cheese glaze is life! In medium bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, milk, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, and confectioners sugar. If you really want to get fancy you can sift the powdered sugar. Full disclosure….I didn’t….and it turned out fine. It just means you have to whisk a little harder…but I’m counting it as arm day. How did you get them big guns?!?……I do a lot of whisking!!

Once the donuts have cooled completely, dip them top side down, into the glaze. Transfer back to the cooling rack and immediately top with sprinkles. Really what’s a donut without sprinkles?!?

Aren’t they darling??? I absolutely loved how they turned out!! Hubby…if you’re listening I’ll take a dozen Red Velvet Donuts instead of roses this year!! Try our Chocolate Covered Strawberries if you really wanna spoil your valentine!

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