Mini Rainbow Vanilla Bean Donuts

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

These mini baked donuts feature swirls of rainbow-colored vanilla bean batter and a sweet glaze on top. They're quick to make (ready in under 30 minutes), visually stunning, and perfect for celebrations.
Clare Greco
Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 19:53:08 GMT
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Mini rainbow vanilla bean donuts | recipesbyclare.com

That mini donut pan sitting in my online shopping cart for months turned out to be one of my best kitchen investments ever. These Mini Rainbow Vanilla Bean Donuts have become my signature contribution to brunches and gatherings – bringing smiles with their cheerful colors and perfect bite-sized portions. What makes them special isn't just their Instagram-worthy appearance, but the real vanilla bean infused throughout that elevates them from merely cute to genuinely delicious. Plus, being baked instead of fried means less mess and a lighter texture that keeps you reaching for "just one more."

I brought these to my niece's rainbow-themed birthday party last month, and something funny happened – the adults devoured them faster than the kids! My brother-in-law, who claims to "not have a sweet tooth," ate four before casually asking if I'd make them for his office potluck the following week.

Key Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour – Creating that perfect tender crumb. Don't skip sifting for maximum fluffiness!
  • Buttermilk – Adds subtle tanginess and exceptional tenderness. No buttermilk on hand? Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to regular milk and let sit for 5 minutes.
  • Vanilla bean – The star ingredient that makes these truly special. Those tiny black seeds bring an intensity of flavor that extract alone can't match.
  • Gel food coloring – Creates vibrant hues without adding excess liquid. Regular food coloring works in a pinch, but gels give that eye-catching color pop.
  • Confectioners' sugar – Dissolves smoothly for the perfect glaze. Sift if lumpy for that silky-smooth finish.
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Mini rainbow vanilla bean donuts Recipe | recipesbyclare.com

Making Perfect Rainbow Donuts

Prepare the batter:
Whisk your dry ingredients first, then add the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. The batter should be smooth but not overmixed – stop as soon as the flour disappears.
Create your rainbow:
Divide the batter evenly between six bowls and add different food coloring to each. Start with just a tiny amount of gel – you can always add more! Spoon each colored batter into separate piping bags.
The rainbow technique:
Pipe dots of each color in rainbow order (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) into each donut well, allowing them to touch slightly without fully mixing. Fill each well only halfway – these puff up considerably!
Baking timing:
These bake incredibly quickly – start checking at 4 minutes! They're done when the tops spring back when touched lightly. Over-baking will make them dry.
Perfect glazing:
Let the donuts cool until just warm before dipping tops in the glaze. Twist gently as you lift out to prevent drips, then place glazed-side up on a wire rack to set. Add sprinkles immediately if using.

My first try at these taught me that piping dots rather than stripes creates the most distinct rainbow effect in the finished donuts. I've since played with different color combinations for holidays – red, white, and blue for Fourth of July; pastels for Easter; orange and black for Halloween; team colors for sports gatherings!

Serving Ideas

For maximum visual impact, arrange these colorful treats in a rainbow arc on a white serving platter. Thread them onto paper straws for donut "lollipops" at children's parties. For brunch, stack them in small, colorful cups at each place setting. They make a unique birthday "cake" alternative when arranged in a circle with candles in the center.

Quick Variations

  • Lemon Zest: Add fresh lemon zest to the batter and lemon juice to the glaze.
  • Birthday Cake: Mix rainbow sprinkles into the batter and top with more sprinkles.
  • Cinnamon Sugar: Skip the glaze and toss warm donuts in cinnamon sugar.
  • Chocolate Dipped: Add cocoa to the glaze or dip half of each donut in melted chocolate.

Storage Tips

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, with parchment between layers. For longer storage, freeze unglazed donuts for up to a month and add fresh glaze before serving. If serving the next day, wait to glaze until a few hours before serving for the freshest appearance. The glaze tends to absorb into the donuts during storage, losing some of its shine.

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Easy Mini rainbow vanilla bean donuts | recipesbyclare.com

These Mini Rainbow Vanilla Bean Donuts have become my go-to for bringing color and joy to everything from birthday celebrations to "just because it's Saturday" morning treats. While they look impressive enough to have come from a professional bakery, they're surprisingly simple to make – the perfect recipe for brightening someone's day with minimal effort but maximum impact. The combination of those perfectly formed shapes, vibrant colors, real vanilla bean flecks, and sweet glaze brings smiles to faces of all ages – and isn't that what sharing homemade treats is all about?

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these donuts without a mini donut pan?
While a mini donut pan gives the best results, you could use a mini muffin tin for donut holes instead. Just adjust the baking time to about 8-10 minutes and check with a toothpick for doneness.
→ What can I substitute for buttermilk?
You can make your own buttermilk by adding 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using. Alternatively, plain yogurt thinned with a little milk works well too.
→ Can I use vanilla extract instead of vanilla beans?
Yes! If you don't have vanilla beans, use an additional 1 teaspoon of high-quality vanilla extract in the batter. The flavor will still be delicious, though you'll miss the visual specks of vanilla bean.
→ How do I store these donuts?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. These donuts are best enjoyed fresh on the day they're made.
→ Can I make the batter ahead of time?
The batter is best used immediately after mixing, as the baking powder activates once wet. However, you can measure out the dry ingredients ahead of time and combine with the wet ingredients just before baking.

Mini Rainbow Vanilla Bean Donuts

Fluffy mini donuts in vibrant rainbow colors, infused with vanilla bean and topped with a simple sweet glaze - a fun baking project that's as delicious as it is beautiful.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
8 Minutes
Total Time
28 Minutes

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 mini donuts)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Donut Batter

01 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
02 ¾ cup granulated sugar
03 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 ½ teaspoon salt
05 ¾ cup buttermilk
06 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
07 2 tablespoons butter, melted
08 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 Seeds from 1 vanilla bean
10 Gel food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)

→ Vanilla Glaze

11 1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
12 1 tablespoon whole milk or heavy cream (plus more to adjust consistency)
13 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
14 Food coloring (optional)
15 Rainbow sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Spray mini donut pan with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal after baking.

Step 02

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine evenly.

Step 03

Add the buttermilk, lightly beaten eggs, melted butter, vanilla extract, and scraped vanilla bean seeds to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined - don't overmix or the donuts will be tough.

Step 04

Divide the batter evenly into 6 small bowls. Add a different gel food coloring to each bowl (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple) and stir gently until the color is evenly distributed.

Step 05

Transfer each colored batter into separate piping bags or resealable sandwich bags. If using sandwich bags, snip a small corner off each bag to create a makeshift piping bag.

Step 06

Pipe small dots or short lines of each colored batter into the donut wells in rainbow order (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple), slightly overlapping the colors. Fill each cavity about halfway to allow room for rising.

Step 07

Bake in the preheated oven for 4-8 minutes, until the tops spring back when lightly touched. Watch carefully as mini donuts bake quickly and can easily overbake.

Step 08

Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 4-5 minutes, then gently remove and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before glazing.

Step 09

In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more liquid if needed to reach your desired consistency. If you want colored glaze, divide and add food coloring as desired.

Step 10

Once the donuts are completely cooled, dip the tops into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles if desired. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Notes

  1. For best results, use gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring to achieve vibrant colors without adding too much moisture to the batter.
  2. If you want to make regular-sized donuts instead of minis, increase the baking time to 10-12 minutes.
  3. These donuts are best enjoyed the day they are made for optimal freshness and texture.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mini donut pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Piping bags or resealable sandwich bags
  • Wire cooling rack

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains wheat (flour)
  • Contains dairy (butter, buttermilk)
  • Contains eggs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 112
  • Total Fat: 3 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 19 g
  • Protein: 2 g