Sour Cream Dream Rings: The Ultimate Cake Donut Recipe
Fancy a proper Sour Cream Donut? My Old Fashion Cake Doughnut recipe is delightfully tangy and fluffy. Perfect with a cuppa! Get the easy recipe now.

Recipe Introduction: Get Ready to Crave!
Fancy a donut that's actually worth the calories? i was thinking about this yesterday. have you ever tried a sour cream donut that just melts in your mouth? it's the king of the homemade donuts recipe , the best doughnut recipe easy there is, and this recipe nails it! think of a cloud, but made of cake, with just a hint of tangy goodness.
Meet Your New Favourite Donut: A Brief Howdy
This isn't your average glazed ring. we are talking about the best old fashion cake doughnut recipe you can find online! old fashioned sour cream doughnut recipe has been around for ages, a proper bit of americana.
It is dead easy, and requires around an hour, give or take. makes about a dozen glorious rings of happiness.
Why You Need This Recipe Right Now
The sour cream? honestly, it keeps the donut crazy moist and adds a little something-something that'll have everyone asking for your secret! perfect for a sunday morning treat, a bank holiday bash, or frankly, just because you deserve a sour cream cake donut recipe treat.
It is also a simple old fashion buttermilk donut recipe . what makes this special? the perfect balance between cakey and fluffy, with that undeniable sour cream donut tang.
Now, for the stars of the show: the ingredients! Next up...
Right then, let's talk ingredients for the star of the show: our sour cream donut . this isn't your average homemade doughnut recipe , this is special .
Honestly, i've tried loads of doughnut recipe easy options, but this one? this is the one i keep coming back to.
Sour Cream Dream Rings: The Ultimate Cake Donut Recipe Recipe Card

⚖️ Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick/113g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (170g) full-fat sour cream
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 4 cups/1 litre)
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (60ml) milk (or water)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkles, for decoration (optional)
🥄 Instructions:
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about ½-inch thickness. Use a donut cutter to cut out donuts.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature.
- Carefully drop the donuts into the hot oil, a few at a time. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Remove the donuts with a slotted spoon or spider and place them on a wire rack to drain.
- While the donuts are still slightly warm, dip them in the glaze (if using), then sprinkle with sprinkles (if desired). Let the glaze set before serving.
Ingredients & Equipment for Sour Cream Magic
Okay, so, here's the breakdown of what you'll need to create these little rings of joy, broken down for your ease.
Main Ingredients - The Doughy Dream Team
- All-purpose flour: 2 ½ cups (300g) , plus extra for dusting. Quality matters. Seriously, use good flour, it makes a difference. If you're feeling fancy, bread flour adds a nice chew, but all-purpose is your everyday hero here.
- Baking powder: 1 ½ teaspoons
- Baking soda: ½ teaspoon
- Ground nutmeg: ½ teaspoon . Just a pinch!
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon .
- Unsalted butter: ½ cup (1 stick/113g) , softened. Make sure it's actually softened, not melted. Trust me on this.
- Granulated sugar: ¾ cup (150g) .
- Large eggs: 2 .
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon . Go for good vanilla.
- Full-fat sour cream: ¾ cup (170g) . This is key . Don't skimp on the fat content! It's what makes it a sour cream donut , and what gives it that amazing tang and moisture. If you wanna try a similar recipe try looking for Old Fashioned Sour Cream Doughnut and Old Fashion Cake Doughnut Recipe . I've heard people use Greek yogurt as an alternative, but full-fat sour cream is really the go to in Sour Cream Cake Donut Recipe.
And, of course...
- Vegetable oil: for frying. About 4 cups/1 litre
Seasoning Notes - A Pinch of This, A Dash of That
Nutmeg is essential for that classic cake donut vibe. it's not christmas without a hint of nutmeg, eh? vanilla elevates everything, use a quality one! also a good old fashion buttermilk donut recipe will usually come with a lot of the same seasonings to get a cake-like texture.
For flavor enhancers, consider a tiny pinch of cardamom. Seriously, tiny! It adds this warmth that's just chef's kiss .
If you're out of nutmeg, mace is a decent sub.
Equipment Needed - Keep it Simple, Stupid
- Large mixing bowl. Obvs.
- Electric mixer. A stand mixer is handy, but a handheld works.
- Rolling pin.
- Donut cutter. Or, if you're a cheapskate like me, two different-sized round cookie cutters.
- Deep fryer or large, heavy-bottomed pot. A proper deep fryer is best.
- Candy thermometer. Crucial! Don't guess the temp, you'll regret it.
- Slotted spoon or spider.
- Wire rack.
- Small bowl for glaze (optional).
Honestly, that's it. Nothing too fancy. You probably have most of it already!
Alright, now you know exactly what you will need to create a sourdough old fashion donut or any homemade donuts recipe .
Grab your stuff, and let's get started! the sour cream donut and all its relatives await!
Alright, let's dive into making these unbelievable sour cream dream rings: the ultimate cake donut recipe . honestly, forget those boring shop-bought ones.
This sour cream donut recipe is gonna blow your mind! imagine a sour cream cake donut recipe that is light, fluffy, and has just a hint of tang? that's what we are going for.
Cooking Up the Perfect Donut: Frying Like a Pro
Frying might seem scary, but trust me, it's easier than perfectly poaching an egg! i remember the first time i fried donuts, i set off the smoke alarm.
The key is to keep an eye on the temperature and don't overcrowd the pan.
Prep Steps: Mise en Place & Safety First
- Essential mise en place: Measure out everything before you even turn on the hob! Flour, sugar, sour cream – the lot. It saves a ton of time.
- Time-saving organization tips: Line a baking tray with paper towels. This is where your golden babies will rest after their hot oil bath.
- Safety reminders: Hot oil is no joke, yeah? Keep a fire extinguisher handy, just in case. And never, ever , leave the fryer unattended.
Step-by-Step Frying Process
- Heat vegetable oil to 350° F ( 175° C) in a deep fryer or pot. Use a candy thermometer for precision!
- Carefully drop donuts into the hot oil. Don't overcrowd! Fry 2- 3 minutes per side .
- Look for that perfect golden-brown color. Visual cues are everything, yeah?
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the prepared paper towel-lined baking tray.
- Let them cool slightly. Then you can glaze like nobody's watching!
Pro Tips for Homemade Donuts Recipe
- Keep your oil at a consistent temperature. 350° F ( 175° C) is the magic number. If it dips too low, your donuts will be greasy.
- Don't toss too many donuts in at once. This lowers the oil temperature. About 3-4 at a time is good!
- Got leftover dough? You can totally fry them up into little donut holes. Waste not, want not.
Old Fashion Cake Doughnut Recipe ? These are even BETTER!
Honestly, this recipe for homemade donuts recipe is so easy. you'll wonder why you ever bought them from the shop.
And if you're feeling fancy, you could even try adding a bit of sourdough to the dough for a sourdough old fashion donut .
How posh is that?
Common mistakes to avoid?
Overcrowding the fryer. Trust me, it ruins everything . These Old Fashioned Sour Cream Doughnut deserves your respect.
Make-ahead options?
You can mix the dough up to 24 hours in advance. just keep it tightly covered in the fridge.
When you are looking for a doughnut recipe easy , this is a fantastic option.
Alright, enjoy making these delicious sour cream donuts . they will be a hit, i swear. i am not going to lie; these old fashion buttermilk donut recipe will be your next favourite.

Right, let's talk recipe notes for these amazing sour cream dream rings . because even the best sour cream cake donut recipe can be tweaked to your liking.
Honestly, these notes are almost as important as the recipe itself. so, listen up!
Serving Like a Pro
Okay, first up: serving suggestions. Forget just plonking them on a plate. Think presentation, innit? Dust them with a little extra powdered sugar. It makes them look all fancy.
For the full experience, serve these little beauties with a proper cuppa. i'm talking a strong brew of yorkshire gold.
Complementary sides? a few fresh berries or a dollop of clotted cream never hurt anyone. seriously, it's like a party in your mouth.
You could even consider an ice latte.
Storing Like a Pro
Now, storage is key. if you’ve got any left. which, let's be honest, is unlikely. but if you do, keep 'em in an airtight container.
Pop them in the fridge. they'll keep for a couple of days. don't even think about freezing them. they are not designed for it.
Just eat it!
Reheating? A few seconds in the microwave does the trick. But fair warning: they're best fresh. You know?
Mix it Up!
Right, variations. Because who wants boring? Want a Sourdough Old Fashion Donut style? Just use a portion of sourdough starter, but remember to adjust the other ingredients!
Trying to be a bit healthier? (said no one ever when faced with a donut!). but seriously, if you want a bit of a twist, you can use greek yogurt instead of half the sour cream.
Use a milk alternative .
For a seasonal ingredient swap , think about adding a little lemon zest in spring, or maybe a hint of apple pie spice in autumn.
Old fashioned sour cream doughnut , but make it seasonal .
Nutrition (Kinda)
Let's be real, these aren't health food. but a little homemade doughnut recipe never killed anyone, right? each sour cream donut is roughly 250-300 calories.
They have some protein, fat, carbs. it is just what is needed! but hey, they bring joy. and that's gotta count for something! plus, homemade donuts recipe is always better than shop-bought.
You know what's going in them.
Listen, baking these sour cream dream rings is easier than you think. this doughnut recipe easy to follow. give it a go! you'll be chowing down on the best old fashion cake doughnut recipe in no time.
Honestly, you'll be a sour cream donut pro! go on, get baking!

Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my sour cream donuts greasy?
Greasy donuts are usually a sign that the oil temperature wasn't hot enough or consistent. Ensure your oil is at a steady 350°F (175°C) before adding the donuts. Also, don't overcrowd the fryer, as this will lower the oil temperature. Frying in batches helps maintain the heat and ensures your sour cream donuts are perfectly golden and not oily.
Can I bake these sour cream donuts instead of frying them?
While this recipe is specifically designed for frying to achieve that classic donut texture, you can try baking them. However, the result will be more like a cakey donut than a traditional fried one. Bake them at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Brush with melted butter after baking for added richness. Think of it as a healthier alternative, but manage expectations!
How do I store leftover sour cream donuts, and how long do they last?
The best way to store these donuts is in an airtight container at room temperature. They're best enjoyed fresh, but they'll stay good for 1-2 days. You can also freeze them! Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying. They might not be quite as good as fresh, but they'll still satisfy that donut craving.
Can I make the donut dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Making the dough ahead is a great way to break up the process. After mixing the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to fry, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly before rolling and cutting. This ensures the sour cream donut dough is easy to handle.
What can I substitute for sour cream if I don't have any?
If you're fresh out of sour cream (the horror!), you can substitute plain Greek yogurt for a similar tangy flavor and moisture. Full-fat Greek yogurt will yield the best results, closely mimicking the richness of sour cream. You could also try creme fraiche, but it can be a bit pricier. Just remember that the flavor might be slightly different, but it'll still be a delicious sour cream donut!
Are there any healthier variations I can make to this sour cream donut recipe?
While donuts are generally an indulgent treat, there are ways to lighten things up a bit. Try substituting half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce to reduce the fat content. You can also use whole wheat pastry flour for a bit more fiber (though this will slightly alter the texture). Opt for a lighter glaze, like a simple lemon juice and powdered sugar glaze, instead of a heavy frosting. Every little helps, eh?
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