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Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins

These Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins make a great unique dessert recipe. Delicious cinnamon sugar doughnut cakes are topped with vanilla buttercream frosting and fresh strawberries. Bon appetit!Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

So excited to be participating in a fun blog party today all about doughnuts!! It’s always a good day to celebrate doughnuts. :) A few weekends ago tons of fabulous food bloggers from all over met up in Austin, Texas for the big BlogHer Food conference. I think at some point while we were there, we all made our way to the Gourdough’s Gourmet Doughnut Truck. I kept seeing tweets and Instagrams about it all weekend, lol! They served up soft, fluffy, delicious doughnuts made fresh to order and covered them with the most decadent and indulgent toppings imaginable. See a few photos I took of my favorite combinations here!

Today I am teaming up with a few of the sweet food bloggers I got to meet in Austin, and we are each recreating our favorite Gourdough’s Doughnut and sharing the recipes with you so you can enjoy the deliciousness of Gourdough’s without ever leaving home.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

While they definitely had some indulgently fun and decadent combinations, my favorite Gourdough’s doughnuts were the pure and simple ones, like the Miss Shortcake; a perfectly golden doughnut topped with sweet vanilla frosting and fresh strawberries. Today I am sharing my spin on this favorite: The Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffin. It’s a muffin that tastes like a doughnut!

I made doughnut muffins for exactly six reasons:

  1. I wanted something that would stay fresh and still be good if you wanted to share. Fried doughnuts like the ones at Gourdough’s are really best eaten right away, fresh out of the oil. These doughnut muffins are just as fabulous even the next day.
  2. I could’ve made baked doughnuts, but I don’t have a doughnut pan. I also didn’t want you guys to have to buy any kind of special pan either! However, if you *do* have a doughnut pan, I would totally recommend trying this recipe in it. I bet it would be totally fun!
  3. These doughnut muffins are just freaking amazing. End of story. They’re like little bites of gosh darn heaven. I can’t get over how awesome they are. You need to try one as soon as humanly possible. Make them happen, friends.
  4. Did I mention they were dipped in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar?
  5. They’re made in mini muffin tin, so they’re kinda like doughnut holes.
  6. They’re small so you can eat more of them. ;)

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins

Let’s make these happen! Just a few basic ingredients are all you’ll need. Butter, baking powder, eggs, flour, milk, and sugar. Be sure you use baking powder and not baking soda. Since there’s nothing acidic like buttermilk or lemon in these muffins, there’s nothing to counteract the baking soda, so they would turn out very, very bitter if you used baking soda. Weird, huh?

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

Start by beating 1.5 sticks room temperature butter and 3/4 cup sugar for 3-5 minutes.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

You want it to be very fluffy and lighter in color. See here? It’s almost white!

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

Add two eggs, one at a time, and beat until just mixed in.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

Meanwhile, sift together 3 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. You could also just whisk them together until they have that soft sifted texture. I won’t tell anyone.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

Now these are muffins, so we’re going to make them via the Muffin Method, like any good little muffin should. :) That means alternating mixing in the wet and dry ingredients. Start by adding a fourth of the flour mixture (a little less than a cup) and stir on low speed until just combined…

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

Then pour in a third of the milk and stir again. Continue alternating mixing in the dry and wet ingredients, ending with the dry.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

Mix until well combined and smooth, like so, but be careful not to overmix your batter or the muffins will be tough.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

We’re not using liners for our muffins, so be sure to spray the pan well with cooking spray so they don’t stick. You can even flour it if you’re into that sort of thing. Mine came out okay with just a good coat of cooking spray. Scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of batter into each mini muffin tin. A medium cookie scoop works perfectly for this. Bake at 350 for 14-15 mins, until a toothpick comes out clean.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

Now for the fun part!! When these babies come out of the oven, they are dunked in butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a delicious sugary crust. It’s pretty much the best thing ever. And since you have to melt the butter anyway, you might as well go ahead and brown it. It’s the right thing to do. If you’ve ever thought to yourself. “Butter is awesome. Butter makes everything taste better. How can I make butter taste even MORE awesome?” Brown butter is the answer. Brown butter has a deliciously rich and even more buttery flavor. It’s a nobrainer. Plus it’s really easy to do. Melt the butter over medium heat, and once it’s melted it will start to bubble. Whisk occasionally.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

When the butter starts to foam, like this, start whisking constantly and whisk for 1-2 mins, until it turns brown and you see brown flecks on the bottom of the pan.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

Like this. When it looks like this, immediately remove from heat and pour into a bowl for dunking. Beautiful.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

Stir together a cup of sugar and a tablespoon of cinnamon for your cinnamon sugar.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

Perfect little domes! When the muffins are just cool enough to handle, remove them from the tin…

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

And dip them in the brown butter. Cover the muffins with the butter on all sides and let the excess drip off. Thank you to Kevin for hand modeling here!

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

Then roll to coat in cinnamon sugar.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

Have mercy.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

The sweet, sugary, crunchy crust, paired with the warm, soft muffin is absolute perfection. Now, like any good doughnut, these doughnut muffins are amazing just like this. You could stop here and have a perfectly delicious dessert. That’s one thing I liked about Gourdough’s — they weren’t just about the toppings. The doughnut itself was good too!

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

But we are going to send these doughnuts completely. over. the. top. by adding a simple vanilla buttercream frosting and fresh summer strawberries.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

I found it easier to pipe the frosting onto the muffins. Spreading it tended to scrape off the crust. I had a batch of my favorite vanilla buttercream frosting (recipe below) in the freezer from the last time I made frosting and accidentally made too much. I let it come to room temperature then whipped it up again in my KitchenAid mixer to get the smooth and fluffy consistency, and it tasted just like I’d made it brand new. I will definitely be freezing my leftover frosting from now on! It was such a time saver for these muffins.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.Lastly, top with strawberry slices and enjoy!!

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

These brown buttery, cinnamon sugary, vanilla strawberry doughnut muffins are melt-in-your-mouth crazy delicious.

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

You could even add blueberries festive these up for the Fourth of July!

Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins. These are like little bites of HEAVEN. A muffin that tastes like a doughnut, dunked in brown butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar for a sweet, crunchy crust. Then topped with buttercream frosting and fresh cut strawberries. Amazing.

These would be perfect to take to a Fourth of July party next week. Only if you want to be the most popular person there, though. ;)

Enjoy, friends!!

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Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: About 12 Cupcakes 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Strawberry Shortcake Doughnut Muffins make a great unique dessert recipe. Delicious cinnamon sugar doughnut cakes are topped with vanilla buttercream frosting and fresh strawberries. Bon appetit!

Scale

Ingredients

Doughnut Muffins

  • 12 tablespoons (1.5 sticks) butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups (13.5 oz) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup milk

Brown Butter Cinnamon Sugar Crust

  • 12 tablespoons (1.5 sticks) butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 teaspoon Tahitian vanilla extract
  • 1 pint strawberries, sliced and cut in half

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a mini-muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Beat the butter and sugar for 5 minutes until soft, fluffy and lighter in color. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until just mixed in.
  3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir a fourth of the dry ingredients into the batter. Then stir in a third of the milk mixture. Continue mixing in the remaining dry and wet ingredients alternately, ending with the dry. Mix until well combined and batter is smooth, but be careful not to over mix.
  4. Fill muffin tins with 1.5 tablespoons of batter (about 3/4ths full). Bake at 350 for 14-15 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

For the Brown Butter Cinnamon Sugar Crust

  1. Melt the butter until it starts to bubble and then foam. When it starts to foam, whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until it turns brown and you see brown flecks at the bottom of the pan. Immediately remove from heat and pour into a bowl for dipping.
  2. Combine the sugar and cinnamon. When the muffins are just cool enough to handle, remove from the tin and dip them on all sides into the melted butter then roll in the cinnamon sugar.

For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

  1. Place the butter, sugar, milk and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes. If necessary, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time, beating for 1-2 minutes after each addition until desired consistency is reached.
  2. Pipe onto muffins and top with sliced strawberries.

Be sure to check out the all the other fun doughnut recipes posted today inspired by the crazy concoctions of Gourdough’s Gourmet Doughnuts!

1. PB & J by Capturing Joy
2. Granny’s Pie by Crazy for Crust
3. Heavenly Hash by Something Swanky
4. The Carney (Apple Pie Doughnuts) by Shugary Sweets
5. The Flying Pig by The Novice Chef
6. Dirty Berry by Inside BruCrew Life

7. Bring the Heath by Mom on Timeout
8. Son of a Peach by Chef-in-Training
9. Mama’s Cake by The Domestic Rebel
10. The Mother Clucker by Oh Sweet Basil
11. Cherry Bombs by My Life as a Mrs.
12. The Funky Monkey by The Little Kitchen

13. The Baby Rattler by Confessions of a Cookbook Queen
14. Black Out Cupcakes {inspired by Gourdoughs} by Cookies & Cups
15. ODB by Sweet Treats and More
16. The Puddin’ by Lauren’s Latest
17. Naughty & Nice by Life’s Ambrosia
18. Miss Shortcake by Kevin & Amanda

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76 Responses
  1. Anna

    I just imagine it’s melted to my mouth. I can only say Wow! It is hundred percent mouthwatering recipe.
    Thanks.

  2. Laurie

    WOW…I made these tonight using my donut pan…heavenly! This will be a great summer dessert.
    I got 12 donuts total. Can’t wait for a party for sharing.

  3. Dina

    I hope this doesn’t sound too dumb, but could a regular hand mixer be used??
    I am probably one of the few americans that doesn’t have a Kithen -Aid :)

  4. Jane

    Just made the strnwberry shortcake donut muffin! It is the best! Can’t wait to try the other doughnuts..thank you for the recipes!

  5. Sandy

    These look so delicious! Sometimes sugary coatings don’t stay dry and crunchy if left too long. Can they be made a day ahead and what is the best way to store them? Thank you!

  6. Becca

    ohhhhh! That’s the one I had at Gourdoughs! It was the last thing we ate before leaving Austin…saving the best and most intense for last! thanks for this recipe. Don’t have to drive 7 hours for it now!

  7. Marie

    I made half a recipe and got 36 mini muffins. The recipe says you get 18-20. How did you get all that batter in a mini muffin pan? Or are there different sized mini-muffin pans?

  8. Sarah D

    Hi Amanda!

    I’m so excited to make these for my Aunt’s 50th surprise birthday party! I just have a question before I make these cute, petite, scrumptious strawberry shortcake doughnut muffins! I have no experience with piping as a method for icing, in fact I’m a little unfamiliar with baking. I’m more of a cooker apposed to a baker. Back to asking my question, what did you use for the piping bag and and what size pipe did you use? Also any tips for a first time icing piper? Haha, thank you for this yummy looking recipe, I hope my family will enjoy them!

    Sarah

    1. Amanda

      Hi Sarah! I used a piping bag and a 1m star tip. You could also probably just use a large ziploc bag for the frosting! Good luck! :)

  9. Erin @ Texanerin Baking

    Fun! And honestly, these look so much better than the ones in Austin. They were just too much. These look much yummier and less… over the top. I like over the top but these are SO much more appetizing!

  10. Jaclyn

    These look so pretty! I love your pictures. You should definitely write a photography book soon :). I tell you that a lot I think. I love all the photography tutorials on your site!

  11. Jocelyn

    I just made these, and I am SO glad I did! They are incredible. Absolutely amazing! The brown butter makes a huge difference. I enjoyed them even without the buttercream and strawberries! Thanks for the recipe :)

  12. Yvonne @ bitter baker

    Wow, you guys really have amazing photography! I love your photos. You make it look so easy! And delicious :) These would be perfect for 4th of July. If I don’t eat them all before, that is!

  13. Winnie

    These look delicious! I can’t wait to try your recipe, as I don’t have a donut pan, but love the idea of the muffin, and I adore cinnamon sugar!! Thank you!

  14. Zainab @ Blahnik Baker

    Beautiful muffins! Breakfast just became much more exciting. I just discovered brown butter and all it’s greatness.

  15. Maria

    I love it! It looks so good!
    As much as I love this recipe, do you take request?
    I was wondering if you have any recipes for healthy dog treats with your own ingredients.
    I just wanted to know how you would make your own version of them.

  16. Lynne

    Recipe looks fabulous but the pictures are what sell it for sure! Tell me what lens you used and what setting?! Please! They all are so crisp and clear pictures.

    1. Amanda

      Hi Lynne! You can click on any photo to see the camera, lens, and setting used. Hope this helps!! :)

  17. Des @ Life's Ambrosia

    I LOVE that you made doughnut muffins! These are so cute and I love the addition of the blueberries to make them the perfect breakfast for the 4th! It was so nice seeing you in Austin. Hope we can do it again soon! xoxo

  18. Camille

    You guys are killing me with these donuts today! I want to have them all! This strawberry one might be the first I attempt.

  19. Julianne @ Beyond Frosting

    What a fun idea to turn it into a muffin. I wanted to try this one so bad, but I ended up with a flying pig, it did not disappoint!

  20. Jocelyn @BruCrew Life

    Have mercy is right!!! Those are absolutely incredible looking! I seriously kept wanting to reach into my computer and grab one (ok, more like grab 10)! What a great idea to turn them into doughnut muffin…I’m loving all the fruit on top! Your pictures always kill me!! I am so glad we had a chance to chat some in Austin!!!

  21. Barbara @ Barbara Bakes

    Now I’m even more sad I didn’t make it to BlogHer Food this year. I missed the donuts. Love your version.

  22. Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts

    This is the one I was waiting for!! Strawberry shortcake in a donut form sounds amazing – gorgeous too!

  23. Averie @ Averie Cooks

    I love that you made donut muffins. I made some donut muffins last week and have a thing for mini food. Yours are adorable and beautiful! And those cinn-sugar tops! Mmmm, and then…the frosting. It’s just so decadent looking!

  24. shelly (cookies and cups)

    Um yes. Doughnut Muffins are the way to go. I am a deep frying fool who always ends up burning herself one way or another…
    My kids will LOVE these!

  25. Heather @ Sugar Dish Me

    Every single one of these Gourdough’s recipes I read is better than the last! I can’t pick a favorite. I’m gonna have to eat them all. PLUS these will totally help me with the excessive amounts of strawberries I keep buying. Thanks so much you guys for pulling this together!!

  26. Aimee @ ShugarySweets

    The strawberry shortcake donuts were a close runner up to being my favorite. These muffins are gorgeous Amanda!
    PS. it was so great to meet you :)

  27. Anele @ Success Along the Weigh

    Um, I shouldn’t know these exist! Oh yeah and “I accidentally made too much [frosting]” Don’t ya hate when that happens? Not. ;-)

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Meet Kevin & Amanda

Kevin and Amanda

We love to travel and to eat! Here we share our favorite quick and easy recipes, plus travel tips and guides for our favorite places around the world. If you have any questions about what camera I use or how I edit my photos, check out my photography tutorials.

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