Powdered Sugar Donut Cake

Name: Powdered Sugar Donut Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature ((see notes below)); ½ cup sour cream, room temperature; ½ cup whole milk, room temperature; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled; ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon butter extract; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ¾ teaspoon salt; 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder; 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; ½ cup powdered sugar

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A soft, simple homemade cake that tastes like a donut with a sweet powdered sugar topping!

A Delicious, Donut Inspired Snack Cake

This Powdered Sugar Donut Cake brings all the flavor of an old-fashioned cake donut that you know and love but I’ve made it as an easy homemade cake form. It’s simple to make, no need for frying any donuts in oil, buying a special donut pan, or anything super complicated. It’s the perfect dessert that pairs nicely with so many things like coffee or tea, and works well for breakfast, dessert, or as an afternoon snack.

A fork holding a bite of a slice of the Powdered Sugar Donut Snack Cake next to it on a plate.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does this taste like?

This cake tastes very similar to a classic powdered sugar cake donut. The butter extract and nutmeg help create that familiar donut flavor.

Where do I find butter extract?

Butter extract isn’t as hard to find as you may initially think. Many people will say they haven’t heard of it but it is in a lot of grocery stores. I live in a small area and my Walmart and Kroger carry it so I would assume that would be the case in most areas. If not, you can buy it online, Amazon (affiliate link) carries it. Please don’t just skip out on it, it is essential to this recipe to give it that powdered donut taste. Some butter extracts are yellowish and some are clear. Just depends on the brand.

How can I change things up?

You can add ground cinnamon to the batter or mix it into the powdered sugar topping for a cinnamon sugar donut flavor. Serve these with warm with a cup of coffee or tea. Add some fresh berries and whipped cream with each piece. Serve a slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a really rich, full dessert.

How to store leftovers?

Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
The powdered sugar will absorb into the cake; dust with a little more before serving if desired. I personally think homemade cakes dry out in the refrigerator so I don’t recommend storing in the fridge if you can help it.

Can I freeze Powdered Sugar Donut Snack Cakes?

Wrap individual squares in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and add a fresh dusting of powdered sugar before serving.

Why did my powdered sugar disappear after storing?

The powdered sugar naturally absorbs into the warm cake over time. Simply dust the top with a little more powdered sugar before serving if desired.

A few slices of Powdered Sugar Donut Cake on top of each other on a dessert plate.

Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below For The Full Recipe)

granulated sugar
large eggs– room temperature. Room temperature ingredients mix together more smoothly and help create a softer, more even cake texture.
sour cream– room temperature. You don’t taste the sour cream in the batter. It is there to help with moistness. Homemade cakes can be dry sometimes. They aren’t like boxed cake mixes so you sometimes gotta add a little something extra to moisten them up and adding an acidic that also has fat in it is a good addition.
whole milk– room temperature. I definitely recommend full fat milk as well when making homemade cakes. Fat helps with moistness.
unsalted butter– melted
pure vanilla extract
butter extract – I chatted more above in the Frequently Asked Questions section about where to find the extract. It really is an important ingredient, so be sure to take a few minutes and get some.
ground nutmeg– nutmeg might seem weird, but it really gives it that cake donut taste. Trust me and be sure to include it.
all-purpose flour – I never sift flour but you certainly can if that is your preference. I just pour it out of the bag and give it a fluff with a fork, then spoon it into the measuring cup (do not pack it in). Then take the flat end of a butter knife and wipe off the excess. This will help you avoid measuring too much flour and your cake turning out dry.
baking soda – please check the expiration dates of your baking soda and baking powder. I know a lot of times we keep them in our pantry forever and don’t realize they are no longer good. If they are no longer active, your cake will turn out dense and tough.
baking powder
powdered sugar

Granulated sugar, eggs, sour cream, whole milk, butter, vanilla extract, butter extract, nutmeg, salt, flour, baking soda, baking powder, melted butter, and powdered sugar.

How To Make Powdered Sugar Donut Cake

Prepare baking pan

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray and line with a piece of parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Set aside. The nonstick helps the parchment paper hold onto the pan better without it popping up. The parchment paper is going to make this easier to lift the cake out of the pan after baking.

Mix together wet ingredients

Add granulated sugar and eggs to a large mixing bowl. Whisk for 1 minute, until foamy. Add sour cream, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, butter extract, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until combined and smooth.

A bowl with granulated sugar, eggs, sour cream, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, butter extract, nutmeg, and salt.

Add in dry ingredients, combine, then bake

Add salt, flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Whisk until incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place on a rack to cool for 10 minutes.