The Recipe: Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Matcha Donuts

Who says you can’t have a little green magic in your donuts? These Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Matcha Donuts are the ultimate treat to celebrate the holiday—and trust me, they’re a total game-changer. Imagine biting into a soft, fluffy donut that’s delicately sweet with a hint of earthy matcha flavor, topped off with a smooth glaze that gives just the right amount of sweetness. The vibrant green color will make these a standout at your St. Patrick’s Day festivities, and the best part? You won’t even need to deep fry them—these are baked to perfection! So, get ready to enjoy the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and a little festive charm with every bite.

Why You’ll Love Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Matcha Donuts

Here’s why these Matcha Donuts will steal your heart (and your taste buds):

• Festively Green: Not only are these donuts delicious, but the vibrant green color is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations—whether you’re hosting a party, treating yourself, or sharing with loved ones!
• Light and Fluffy: These donuts are baked, not fried, so they’re lighter and fluffier than traditional ones—perfect for when you want a treat that feels indulgent but not too heavy.
• Matcha Goodness: The subtle earthy flavor of matcha balances beautifully with the sweet glaze, giving you a sophisticated yet comforting treat that’s easy to love.
• Easy to Make: No deep fryer required—these donuts are super simple to whip up with a few basic ingredients. Plus, they’re ready in under an hour!
• Customizable Glaze: The glaze is totally customizable! You can stick with a classic vanilla glaze or get fancy with some fun flavor add-ins, like a dash of mint or a sprinkle of sprinkles!

Ingredients

Ready to make these Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Matcha Donuts? Here’s what you’ll need:

• Flour: The base of your donut batter. All-purpose flour works perfectly for that soft, tender texture.
• Matcha Powder: This is the star ingredient, providing that beautiful green color and earthy flavor that makes these donuts stand out. Be sure to use high-quality culinary matcha.
• Baking Powder: This will give your donuts the perfect rise, making them light and fluffy.
• Sugar: A little sweetness goes a long way to balance out the matcha’s earthy flavor.
• Eggs: For binding and adding richness to the donut batter.
• Milk: You’ll need milk (dairy or non-dairy) to make the batter smooth and creamy.
• Butter (or Dairy-Free Butter): Adds richness and flavor to your donuts. You can easily swap this for a dairy-free alternative if needed.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla adds warmth and depth to the overall flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: For the glaze, giving it that perfect sweet finish.
• Milk (for Glaze): A little milk to create the perfect consistency for your glaze.

(Note: Full ingredient measurements are available in the recipe card below.)

Instructions

Let’s make these festive, fluffy donuts!

Preheat Your Oven:

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a donut pan. This ensures your donuts bake up perfectly and don’t stick.

Make the Donut Batter:

In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, matcha powder, baking powder, and sugar. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or you might end up with dense donuts.

Pipe the Batter into the Pan:

Transfer the batter into a piping bag (or a plastic zip-top bag with the tip cut off) to easily pipe it into your greased donut pan. Fill each cavity about three-quarters full.

Bake the Donuts:

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The donuts should be light and golden on top. Allow them to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the Glaze:

While the donuts are cooling, whisk together your powdered sugar and a little milk to make a smooth, pourable glaze. Add more milk as needed until you reach your desired consistency.

Glaze the Donuts:

Once the donuts are fully cooled, dip the tops into the glaze. You can also drizzle it on top with a spoon for a more rustic look. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.

Serve and Enjoy:

Once the glaze has set, your donuts are ready to be devoured! Serve them up for St. Patrick’s Day, or any time you want a little green treat to brighten your day.

Nutrition Facts

• Servings: 12 donuts
• Calories per serving: 180
• Total Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 35mg
• Sodium: 90mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 28g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 18g
• Protein: 3g

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

How to Serve Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Matcha Donuts

These donuts are fantastic on their own, but here are a few ideas to make them even more special:

• Top with Sprinkles: Add green sprinkles or edible glitter to bring even more festive vibes to these donuts. You can also top them with crushed pistachios for a bit of crunch!
• Pair with Coffee or Tea: These donuts go wonderfully with a nice cup of coffee or green tea, making them a perfect treat for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
• Serve on a Fun Plate: Make your St. Patrick’s Day celebration extra special by serving these donuts on a fun, themed plate—maybe with a little leprechaun magic on the side!
• Fill with Cream: For an extra indulgent treat, pipe a little whipped cream or custard inside the donuts before glazing them!

Additional Tips

• Use Fresh Matcha: The flavor of matcha can be a bit delicate, so try to use fresh, high-quality matcha for the best taste and vibrant green color.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the donut batter can make them tough, so be sure to mix just until combined for the softest, fluffiest donuts.
• Make a Double Batch: These donuts disappear fast! If you’re hosting a crowd, double the recipe and bake a few extra donuts to go around.
• Customize Your Glaze: You can add a little mint extract to your glaze for a fresh twist, or swap the vanilla for almond extract for a different flavor profile.
• Store Leftovers: Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best fresh, but still delicious the next day.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I make these donuts ahead of time?
A1: Yes! You can make the donuts the day before, and then glaze them just before serving for the freshest taste.

Q2: Can I freeze these donuts?
A2: Absolutely! Freeze the baked (unglazed) donuts for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw and glaze them.

Q3: Can I use a different type of flour?
A3: You can use gluten-free flour, but the texture may be slightly different. Make sure to use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute to keep the recipe as close to the original as possible.

Q4: How can I make these donuts dairy-free?
A4: Swap out the butter for dairy-free butter and use a non-dairy milk (like almond or oat milk) and dairy-free yogurt for the glaze.

Q5: How do I get my donuts to stay fluffy?
A5: Be sure not to overmix the batter! Overmixing activates the gluten too much, which can make the donuts dense instead of fluffy.

Q6: How can I add more flavor to the glaze?
A6: You can add a splash of mint extract or a bit of citrus zest to the glaze for an extra burst of flavor!

Q7: Can I use a donut hole pan instead of a regular donut pan?
A7: Yes! If you prefer donut holes, just fill the donut hole pan halfway and bake them for about 10 minutes.

Q8: Can I add fillings to these donuts?
A8: Absolutely! You can fill these donuts with a little whipped cream, jam, or even a chocolate ganache for a surprise inside.

Q9: Can I use a hand mixer instead of whisking by hand?
A9: Yes, a hand mixer can make the process faster and easier, but make sure not to overmix once you add the dry ingredients to the wet.

Q10: Can I adjust the sweetness of the glaze?
A10: Yes! If you prefer a less sweet glaze, reduce the powdered sugar or add a dash of lemon juice for a tangy kick.

Conclusion

These Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Matcha Donuts are a must-try treat that’ll bring joy to your celebration (and to your taste buds!). With their soft texture, delicate matcha flavor, and festive green color, they’re the perfect way to celebrate in style. Whether you’re making them for a party, breakfast, or just because, these donuts are sure to steal the show!

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