These Vegan Funfetti Donuts with Coconut Buttercream are the sweet breakfast you’ve been dreaming about. Enjoy the moist center, smooth and sweet buttercream, and pops of crunch with colorful sprinkles.
If you couldn’t tell by now, I’m a little in love with making donuts. (Re: these, these, and these).
Even though I’ve made plenty of donuts, these here were a first. They’re vegan! Yes, me, Christina, made a vegan dessert recipe.
And for my carnivore friends who automatically correlate the word ‘vegan’ with ‘fake’ or ‘gross’ – then I have to say, you can’t “tell that these are vegan”. Trust me – my meat-eating old school Cuban grandfather ate these up real quick.
The main ingredient replacement here? Coconut oil. That’s right – the nectar of the Gods to many, but the first time I’ve used this ingredient.
As a food blogger, I feel like many will be shocked by that statement. But it’s true. This is the first time I used coconut oil. There, I said it. It’s out there. Can we move on?
No? Okay, the reason I’d never used it, is because I hate coconut. The flavor is gross, the texture freaks me out… so I assumed that coconut oil was right down that alley. But damnnnn Christina – you’ve been missing out!
[Tweet “Vegan Funfetti Donuts with Coconut Buttercream *gasp*”]
I didn’t want to do yet another glaze overtop my donuts, so I went with a buttercream. But as you know from the name ‘buttercream’, it ain’t vegan. With the strength of a stand-mixer, the texture of coconut oil, and a little determination, I made some coconut buttercream to top these babies!
The weird thing about these donuts is, upon feeding them to my family, I am the only one who doesn’t taste the coconut. The donuts contain coconut oil, obviously the buttercream contains coconut oil, and I just do not taste the coconut! And I’m the only one who hates coconut.
Immediately upon his first bite, Christian said “oh, coconut!”. BUT I DON’T TASTE IT. What’s wrong with me?! All I taste is the sweetness! Have I become so immune to coconut after years of never consuming it? If someone has an answer, please let me know. And if you hate coconut like me, I encourage you to make this recipe. You probably won’t taste the coconut just like my crazy ass.
[Tweet “Time to make the donuts! Vegan Funfetti Donuts:”]
- Donuts:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (microwaved for 10 seconds)
- 1 flax egg (1 tsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sprinkles
- Coconut Buttercream:
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- Almond milk to thin
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a donut pan.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine flax egg, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and almond milk. Stir to combine.
- Add in flour, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, and sprinkles. Mix until batter is formed.
- Spoon batter into donut rounds about 3/4 way filled.
- Add additional sprinkles atop each donut.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean.
- Clean your mixer bowl, and use for buttercream next. Buttercream is best made using an electric mixer.
- Add in powdered sugar, coconut oil, and vanilla.
- Turn on mixer at a high speed. Almost like you’re making whipped cream.
- Add almond milk to thin texture while mixing. Keep mixing until buttercream texture is formed.
- When donuts are baked, spread buttercream atop each donut, and garnish with sprinkles atop each one!
Join the conversation:
Which do you prefer: funfetti cake or funfetti cookies?
What’s your favorite way to use coconut oil?
Did you like this recipe? Pin it for later!
Funfetti AND coconut?? You got me! Slide me one of those things
Haha comin’ right up!!
thanks, Amanda!
This might be weird, but my favorite way to use coconut oil is in my HAIR! Haha I always scrunch it in after I shower. But I love it in buttercream too lol! 😉 These look so fantastic and I love that they’re vegan. Perfect for when you run out of eggs often like me!
I haven’t tried that!! I feel like my hair is prone to getting greasy so I admit I’m a little afraid to haha – what are the benefits?
These donuts are EVERYTHING! I am not huge on donuts but when you add sprinkles and coconut oil to them, they just might become my favorite thing.
Oh girl we need to change that! ;D haha, thank you!!
I love using coconut oil in baked goods because it adds a subtle coconutty richness – so good! These donuts look fantastic, and I love how they’re healthier and vegan. The sprinkles are adorable!
Thank you so much, Elaine!
These need to be in my mouth! Rainbow sprinkles ALWAYS make my taste buds do backflips! lol
Hahah thanks girl!!
Whoa, baby. I’m totally on board with these <>
Theyre so easy too!! Thank you! xo
These look ah-mazing. I love anything funfetti, of course! I also tend to be suspicious of the vegan (I may have Celiacs, but I eat ice cream and bunless bison burgers like there’s no tomorrow) and use my boyfriend and father who are very suspicious of “wacky” ingredients like coconut milk or sorghum flour themselves, just like your grandpa is a great taste tester for normality purposes. So it’s excellent to know he enjoyed them.
Totally, me too. I am in no way a vegan, so it was great to hear that my vegan baking was a hit!!
Gahhhh you have me drooling on my laptop right now! This would be such a fun Sunday breakfast – or any day, ’cause donuts. I’ve seen so many recipe lately that are giving me an excuse to buy a donut pan…
GIRL WUT? You haven’t gotten one yet?! Getchu one right now. Hehe thanks so much <3
These are beautiful! I officially need to get a doughnut pan now.
yes you do!!! Seriously life-changing! 😀
I think maybe because they eat coconut they’re able to notice the more subtle coconut flavour in coconut oil? I find the taste of coconut oil to be pretty different from the normal more in your face full coconut flavour. Either way, I can’t wait to try these 😀
Maybe that’s it then!! Who knows. Either way, I’m a fan of coconut oil now 😀 thanks Giselle!!
I love coconut oil for baking and granola-making. Yay for trying new things – especially when those new things involve donuts 😀
I’ve got to make some granola with it now. So much experimenting to get done!
You hate coconut?!! Did I know this? Well anyway, I’m glad you can at least get on board with coconut OIL, and I can absolutely get on board with these. SO FUN and pretty.
IM SO SORRY YOU HAD TO FIND OUT THIS WAY
NO WAY I HATE COCONUT TOO!
i thought i was all alone in the blogging world haha. a friend actually bought coconut oil for me like 2 years ago, and i started using it only last year (but not in food). i dont think it was until january-ish that i first tried it in food? but it has to be virgin/refined or i can smell it!
omg soulmates??? THANK GOD. I have no idea what kind whether it’s virgin/refined but I have to say I am a fan!!
Hellllllooooooooooo heaven! I need these in my stomach right NOW. <3 <3 <3 <3