Strawberry Glazed Valentine Donuts

By Rachel // January 17, 2014 // 57 comments //

Homemade fried yeast donuts, cut into heart shapes for a special Valentine’s Day treat and topped off with sweet strawberry icing.

Strawberry Glazed Heart Shaped Donuts for Valentine's Day from bakedbyrachel.com

I did something the other day that was, if you ask me, pretty genius. And I don’t know why it didn’t occur to do this until now. If I leave an open bag of candy on the counter or in a drawer, no fail, it’ll disappear fast. Not just from me grabbing some here and there but sneaky little fingers stealing some when I’m not looking. Or in some cases, when I am looking. They’re risk takers like that apparently. And I’m a total candy addict. Big issues and bad combinations.

So, the other day it hit me… I grabbed a mug and threw what remained of a bag of Hershey’s Kisses into it, placed it on my desk and let it be. Not only have I managed to partially forget about it, but the kids haven’t touched it… because it LOOKS like a a regular cup of (insert your favorite hot drink). Of course now that I’m writing this out, I’m sure they’ll disappear from that mug within the next 24 hours. You just wait.

Strawberry Glazed Heart Shaped Donuts for Valentine's Day from bakedbyrachel.com

Apparently there is some sappy day coming up that is full of hearts, lovey dovey stuff, chocolate, romance, or no romance depending on your view on that particular day…

So I made you donuts, from the heart and in the shape of hearts, covered in pink strawberry glaze and sprinkles. Because one should never stop at just heart shaped donuts… they’ve gotta be pink and sprinkled with equally cute colors. Who wouldn’t love a deep fried donut for Valentine’s Day? Seriously. Every kid and adult would enjoy it. Flavorful, fluffy and just perfect for the occasion. Maybe I’m stretching? But seriously, these were super tasty (aka they disappeared in my house within 12 hours of making them… or a lot less). And there was just something extra fun about cutting out hearts instead of boring circles. Plus, sprinkles just make everything better and happier, right? Sprinkles are a must.

A perfect breakfast or snack for your Valentine, or just because.

Strawberry Glazed Heart Shaped Donuts for Valentine's Day from bakedbyrachel.com

Print Recipe

Strawberry Glazed Valentine Donuts

Homemade fried yeast donuts, cut into heart shapes for a special Valentine's Day treat and topped off with sweet strawberry icing.

Prep Time1

Cook Time15

Total Time1 15

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 plus

Ingredients

Dough:

3/4 C milk heated to 115°F
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp and 1/4C granulated sugar divided
2 1/2 C all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbsp plain shortening
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Glaze:

1 C powdered sugar
2 1/2 Tbsp water
1/2 tsp strawberry extract

Instructions

In a measuring cup, combine warm milk with yeast and sugar. Allow to proof for 5-10 minutes.
In the bowl of a stand mixer with dough attachment, add remaining dough ingredients. With mixer running on low-medium speed, add yeast mixture. Increase speed as needed until dough comes together. Dough may be sticky. Lightly grease your hands and a medium bowl with baking spray. Shape dough into a ball and transfer to prepared bowl. Cover and allow to rise until doubled in size or roughly 45 minutes.
Prepare a baking sheet with a lightly grease sheet of parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/2-inch in thickness. Cut out donuts using large heart cutters. Remove the centers with small heart cutters. Transfer dough to prepared pan. Repeat with remaining dough.
Heat oil in a large stockpot to 325°F, monitoring with a Taylor Candy and Deep Fry Stainless Steel Thermometerdeep fry thermometer. Fry donuts 2-3 at a time until lightly golden on each side. Remove to a paper towel or wire rack to cool completely.
Beat together glaze ingredients in a medium bowl. Dip cooled donuts in glaze and immediately decorate with sprinkles, if desired.

Notes

Yields 6-12 donuts. Final yield will vary depending on cutter size used.

An original recipe from Baked by Rachel

Donut Week - bakedbyrachel.com

This post contains affiliate links.

57 Responses to “Strawberry Glazed Valentine Donuts”

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Marie @ Little Kitchie — January 17, 2014 at 6:50 am

Too cute!
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:03 pm
  
  Thanks Marie!
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Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness — January 17, 2014 at 7:29 am

Oh my gosh, SO CUTE! And so dripping with lovely dovey goodness in the form of sweet, pink glaze!
I love that you cut these into hearts, I definitely would have never thought of that. Genius! :)
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:03 pm
  
  Thanks so much Taylor :)
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Julie @ Table for Two — January 17, 2014 at 7:54 am

Haha, that actually IS pretty genius on your part!! Go you! We have a huge bowl on the dining room table, as you saw, and it’s just dangerous :) these donuts are SO CUTE!! I love how ahead you are for Valentine’s Day ideas! I, on the other hand, always forget about these random holidays thrown in after Thanksgiving/Christmas, lol
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:03 pm
  
  Yeah, that bowl was not helpful at all lol But I still totally enjoyed it mmmm PB cups ;)
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kita — January 17, 2014 at 8:17 am

Currently, a little jealous of your doughnut cuteness ;) I cant even shape a cut out cookie right, let alone a doughtnut
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:04 pm
  
  haha… what’s this silly talk? And thanks :)
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Layla @ Brunch Time Baker — January 17, 2014 at 8:21 am

These donuts are too adorable!! These donuts are going to make a perfect valentines day breakfast for the hubby :D
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:04 pm
  
  Thanks Layla! I hope he enjoys them :)
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steph@stephsbitebybite — January 17, 2014 at 9:12 am

AWE!! These are soo adorable! And because they’re heart shaped I wouldn’t be able to just have one.
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:05 pm
  
  And the center is missing so clearly that means you can have more, right? ;)
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keisha — January 17, 2014 at 9:31 am

These look incredible!
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:05 pm
  
  Thanks Keisha!
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Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet — January 17, 2014 at 9:52 am

Love these adorable donuts!!
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:05 pm
  
  Thanks Anna!
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Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen — January 17, 2014 at 9:53 am

These doughnuts are absolutely adorable, Rachel! Love the strawberry glaze!
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:05 pm
  
  Thanks so much Kelli :)
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10

Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen — January 17, 2014 at 10:04 am

Seriously the cutest donut ever. I love it!
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:05 pm
  
  Thanks Katrina!! :)
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11

Dawn DeRosa — January 17, 2014 at 10:23 am

Will these little lovelies hold their shape if you bake them?
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:06 pm
  
  I’ve honestly never baked donuts in my life, but because these are cut out (vs how some baked donuts are liquid batter) it is certainly worth a shot to see! If you try it, please let me know how they turn out. :)
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12

Jackie {The Beeroness} — January 17, 2014 at 1:33 pm

Ummmm…will you be my Valentine?
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:07 pm
  
  Totally :)
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13

Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts — January 17, 2014 at 1:43 pm

Waking up to a doughnut is the best feeling ever, but a heart shaped doughnut?? Even better!! These are so cute!
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  Rachel — January 17, 2014 at 2:07 pm
  
  Right? I’d even be okay with breakfast in bed if this was part of the meal lol Thanks Angelyn!
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14

Mimi @ Culinary Couture — January 17, 2014 at 6:12 pm

These are so pretty Rachel! The perfect ending to donut week!
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  Rachel — January 18, 2014 at 9:01 am
  
  Thanks Mimi! :)
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15

Alyssa @ My Sequined Life — January 17, 2014 at 6:33 pm

Oh my gosh what gorgeous pictures!! Donuts in heart shape…ingenious!
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  Rachel — January 18, 2014 at 9:01 am
  
  Thanks so much Alyssa :)
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Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen — January 17, 2014 at 8:36 pm

Love, love, love these donuts, Rachel! Your photography is just out-of-this-world. Pinning everywhere! xo
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  Rachel — January 18, 2014 at 9:02 am
  
  Thank you so much Stacy! Much appreciated :) Have a great weekend!
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17

Tamara — January 17, 2014 at 8:48 pm

These are too cute!! What an awesome idea!!
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  Rachel — January 18, 2014 at 9:02 am
  
  Thanks Tamara! :)
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18

Joanne T Ferguson — January 18, 2014 at 1:25 am

G’day! These are gorgeous Rachel, love your photo too!
Pinned and thanks for the recipe making smile today, true!
Cheers! Joanne
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  Rachel — January 18, 2014 at 9:02 am
  
  Thank you Joanne! :)
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19

Erica — January 18, 2014 at 10:33 am

Way too cute! These will for sure be on my menu for breakfast this coming Valentines Day. Awesome photography too btw!
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  Rachel — January 18, 2014 at 1:00 pm
  
  Thank you! I hope you enjoy them :)
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20

Megan {Country Cleaver} — January 19, 2014 at 11:45 am

Cute beyond CUTE!!!
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  Rachel — January 19, 2014 at 6:13 pm
  
  Thanks Megan :)
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21

Rebecca — January 19, 2014 at 4:20 pm

Super cute idea to bake them in a heart shape ;)
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  Rachel — January 19, 2014 at 6:12 pm
  
  Thanks Rebecca! :)
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22

Sandie@afoodieaffair.com — January 19, 2014 at 7:38 pm

Sooooooo cute! And they look delicious!I’m trying to stay away from these kind of things lately, but these pics are making it impossible!
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23

Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent — January 20, 2014 at 6:25 am

These are super cute! Thanks for sharing :)
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24

Jenn@eatcakefordinner — January 20, 2014 at 10:20 pm

These are so pretty!
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25

dina — January 21, 2014 at 10:21 pm

i love doughnuts! these are great for valentine’s day!
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  Rachel — January 22, 2014 at 7:20 am
  
  Thanks Dina!
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26

Tracy — February 8, 2014 at 5:27 pm

This may be a dumb question, but I’ve never made donuts…what kind and how much oil do you use for frying them? Thanks!
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  Rachel — February 8, 2014 at 6:20 pm
  
  I always use vegetable oil for frying. For this particular dish you should use a deep stock pot (5-6 quarts is a good size) with roughly an inch or two of oil.
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27

MamaT — February 12, 2014 at 8:22 pm

How many donuts can you get out of one batch? Would love to make these for my kids school parties!
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  Rachel — February 13, 2014 at 7:19 am
  
  The recipe states 6-12 donuts. It will depend greatly on the size of the cutter you choose to use.
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MamaT — February 13, 2014 at 12:24 pm

Oh gosh! Apparently, I need to learn to read better! Thanks for responding anyway! :)
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  Rachel — February 13, 2014 at 3:16 pm
  
  No worries! It’s easy to miss :) Enjoy!!
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Heather H. — February 16, 2014 at 5:10 pm

I made these & they turned out a little tough. Any idea why?
Also, I tried to make heart shapes & every time I tried to pick them up to put in the oil they stretched into a weird non-heart shape. I just stuck to circle shapes.
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  Rachel — February 17, 2014 at 7:07 am
  
  I’ve used that dough multiple times without having that issue so I can’t be totally sure. My guess would be over kneading/mixing or over cooking. As for the shapes, they can be difficult even as rounds. The easiest trick is to have the dough shapes on parchment paper and cut out each shape, then carefully slide into the oil. Alternatively if you have a spider strainer you can place the dough on that and lower it into the oil quite easily.
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Kate — February 13, 2018 at 5:01 pm

Hi, I was just wondering how long these will keep? They look lovely!
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  Rachel — February 14, 2018 at 6:58 am
  
  They’re best enjoyed fresh but should keep for a day or two at least.

Strawberry Glazed Valentine Donuts