Sunshine on a Plate: Zesty Baked Key Lime Pie Donuts with Graham Cracker Crumbs

Experience the iconic taste of Key Lime Pie reimagined in a tender, moist baked donut. These delightful treats feature a delicate key lime infused donut base, crowned with a vibrant key lime glaze, and finished with a sprinkle of crunchy graham cracker crumbs for that unmistakable pie-like charm. They’re an irresistible bite of sunshine!

There’s something uniquely captivating about the flavor of key lime. Its distinct blend of tartness and subtle sweetness brightens any dessert, making it a perennial favorite in kitchens everywhere. If you share our love for this bright citrus, you’ll also adore our classic Key Lime Pie Tart and these charming Key Lime Pie Cupcakes. Today, we’re taking that beloved flavor profile and transforming it into an exciting new format: the humble, yet utterly delightful, baked donut.

The Unsung Benefits of Blogging: Friendship and Creative Synergy

One of the most enriching, and perhaps unexpected, rewards of the blogging journey is the opportunity to forge genuine connections with fellow creators. What often begins as professional networking on a screen can blossom into profound, real-life friendships, transcending the digital realm. I’ve been incredibly fortunate in this regard, having met two of my dearest friends – Carrian from Sweet Basil and Kristie from Sweet Treats and More – through the blogging community. Our meet-ups are more than just casual gatherings; they’re cherished occasions to share our lives, explore new culinary ideas, and, of course, delve into the ever-evolving world of food blogging.

Just last week, we orchestrated one of our delightful morning get-togethers, with a specific, zesty theme in mind: Key Lime! Each of us brought a key lime-inspired creation to photograph together, turning the morning into a vibrant, citrus-scented affair. Amidst the cheerful chaos of children playing, the occasional cry (mostly from my little ones), and persistent pleas for snacks (again, my little ones!), we managed to capture some beautiful shots and enjoy each other’s company immensely. These girls are truly special, and I always leave our gatherings feeling creatively recharged and deeply grateful for their friendship. We are all so excited to finally share our delicious key lime treats with you all today, hoping they inspire your next baking adventure.

Crafting the Perfect Key Lime Donut: The Secret to Moisture and Zest

When I first contemplated what key lime treat to bring to our gathering, my mind immediately gravitated towards donuts. It’s hardly a surprise, given my enduring affection for these delightful rings of dough! For a moment, I was tempted by the allure of classic, full-fat, deep-fried doughnuts, envisioning their rich, crispy exterior. However, a quick glance in the mirror, coupled with a lingering desire to shed some baby weight, quickly steered me away from pulling out the deep fryer. This decision, it turns out, was a blessing in disguise, as these baked key lime donuts surpassed all expectations.

I initially harbored some doubts about achieving a pronounced lime flavor in a baked donut, but the generous, tangy glaze proved to be the absolute hero, pulling all the flavors together beautifully. The result was a donut that hit all the right notes: wonderfully tart, which is precisely what I crave in any citrus dessert. For those who prefer a less intense tartness, a simple substitution of milk for a portion of the key lime juice in the glaze works perfectly. The true secret to the incredibly moist and tender crumb of these donuts, however, lies in one key ingredient: Greek Yogurt. I opted for a small container of Chobani Plain Greek yogurt, and its addition was nothing short of transformative, infusing the donuts with an unparalleled richness and soft texture.

The Key Lime Conundrum: Fresh vs. Bottled Juice

When it comes to citrus, my culinary philosophy almost always leans towards fresh. I’m a staunch advocate for freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice, finding bottled alternatives to be a pale imitation. Yet, I must confess, the narrative changes entirely when we talk about key limes. Have you ever attempted to juice a batch of these tiny powerhouses? Key limes are notoriously small, meaning an endless procession of slicing and squeezing just to yield a modest amount of juice. In such instances, I readily embrace the convenience of high-quality bottled key lime juice.

Beyond the sheer effort, fresh key limes can often be elusive, making their appearance in grocery stores a rare and seasonal event. While you can certainly substitute regular Persian limes if key limes are unavailable, I was determined to capture the authentic, distinct essence of true key lime for these donuts. That unique, aromatic tartness is irreplaceable. And, of course, to truly encapsulate the “pie” experience, a scattering of crushed graham crackers was absolutely essential. My adoration for key lime pie runs deep, and for me, it simply wouldn’t be complete without that signature graham cracker crunch, mimicking the beloved crust.

These donuts were such a hit that I’m already envisioning our next gathering – perhaps another themed culinary morning where we can share even more delightful creations!

Explore More Donut Delights

If these Key Lime Pie Donuts have sparked your craving for more homemade donut adventures, you’re in luck! Dive into these other fantastic recipes:

• Effortless Biscuit Donuts
• Classic Cake Donut Recipe
• Decadent Ricotta Doughnuts

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Baked Key Lime Pie Donuts

5 from 4 votes

Author:
Deborah Harroun

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cook Time:

12 minutes

Total Time:

22 minutes

Servings:

14 -16 donuts

Course:
Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine:
American

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These baked donuts capture the essence of Key Lime Pie with a delicate key lime flavor in the donut, a tangy key lime glaze, and a sprinkle of crunchy graham cracker crumbs.

Ingredients

Donuts

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 6 ounces plain Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon key lime juice
• 1 tablespoon lime zest

Glaze

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup key lime juice
• crushed graham crackers for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Lightly grease a donut pan, ensuring all cavities are well coated to prevent sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg, then thoroughly mix in the Greek yogurt, vegetable oil, milk, key lime juice, and vibrant lime zest. Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently just until they are combined and moistened. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough donuts.
3. Transfer the donut batter into a large resealable (ziptop) bag. Snip off one corner of the bag to create a piping opening. Use this to pipe the batter evenly into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity approximately halfway. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts spring back lightly when touched and are golden around the edges. Carefully remove the donuts from the pan and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
4. To prepare the luscious key lime glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and key lime juice in a shallow bowl until smooth. Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the top of each donut into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Immediately after glazing, dip the still-wet glazed side into the crushed graham cracker crumbs, ensuring a generous, even coating. Arrange on a serving platter and enjoy!

Keywords:
baked donuts, key lime pie, key lime donuts, easy donut recipe, homemade donuts, citrus desserts, summer desserts