Irresistible Fruity Pebble Cereal Milk Baked Donuts: A Fun & Easy Breakfast Treat!
Get ready to elevate your breakfast or dessert game with these incredible Fruity Pebble Cereal Milk Baked Donuts! Imagine soft, tender vanilla cake donuts, perfectly baked, and infused with the vibrant, sweet flavor of your favorite childhood cereal, Fruity Pebbles. Every single bite delivers that unmistakable, nostalgic taste thanks to the ingenious use of Fruity Pebble-infused milk. This recipe isn’t just about making donuts; it’s about creating a joyful experience, a colorful treat that will bring a smile to anyone’s face, whether young or old.
Today, we’re thrilled to feature a special guest post from the incredibly talented Jessica of Sweet Menu. I first discovered Jessica’s blog several months ago, and was immediately captivated by her bright, beautiful food photography and her truly tempting confectionery creations. Her energetic personality shines through every vibrant picture, making her recipes an absolute joy to follow.
Jessica is not only a gifted baker and photographer but also an absolute delight in person. Having had the pleasure of meeting her in New York City, I can attest to her wonderful spirit, which is as bright and inviting as her culinary creations. Her blog, Sweet Menu, is a treasure trove of inspiring recipes, from delectable Twix Cookie Cups to stunning Froot Loop Layer Cakes, each presented with breathtaking photography. It’s truly an honor to host her today, and I know you’ll fall in love with her work just as much as I have. She truly creates the most gorgeous desserts I’ve ever seen. Without further ado, let’s hear from Jessica herself!
Meet Our Guest Blogger: Jessica from Sweet Menu
Hello everyone! I’m Jess, the Australian food blogger behind Sweet Menu, where I specialize in crafting American-inspired sweets. I recently had an amazing four-week adventure across the USA, which included the wonderful opportunity to meet Lindsey in New York. We spent hours discussing our shared passion for food, blogging, and everything in between, enjoying freshly baked cookies from her culinary class while I shared some Tim Tams I brought from Australia. I’m incredibly excited to be guest blogging here on American Heritage Cooking today, and I’ve brought a truly special recipe for you!
The Inspiration: Cereal Milk Magic
My inspiration for these delightful Fruity Pebble Cereal Milk Baked Donuts came during my trip to New York, specifically from a visit to the iconic Momofuku Milk Bar. There, I first experienced their famous Cereal Milk – a revelation that genuinely tasted like the sweet, flavorful milk left at the bottom of a cereal bowl. This innovative concept fascinated me so much that I even bought their cookbook! Their brilliant approach to incorporating cereal into desserts sparked an idea: why not infuse that same nostalgic cereal milk magic into baked donuts?
Since Fruity Pebbles aren’t readily available in Australia, I made sure to carefully pack a box in my suitcase, eager to transform this beloved American cereal into a delightful new treat. And that’s how these unique Fruity Pebble Cereal Milk Baked Donuts were born! I wanted to capture that whimsical, sweet flavor of cereal milk in a portable, fun-to-eat format that everyone could enjoy.
Why These Baked Donuts Are a Must-Try
What makes these donuts truly special is that they are baked, not fried. This not only makes them incredibly quick and easy to prepare – perfect for a busy morning or an impromptu treat – but also gives them a lighter, cake-like texture that melts in your mouth. You’ll be amazed at how fast these vanilla cake donuts come together; baked in a donut pan, they’re typically golden and ready in just 10-13 minutes! This means less mess, less fuss, and a healthier alternative to traditional fried donuts, without sacrificing an ounce of flavor.
The magic continues with the glaze, which is also crafted using that flavorful Fruity Pebble-infused milk. This creates a sweet, vibrant, and utterly delicious topping, perfectly complemented by a generous sprinkling of actual Fruity Pebble flakes. The combination delivers an explosion of fruity flavor and a delightful textural contrast with every bite. These donuts are not just a treat for the taste buds; their colorful appearance makes them incredibly fun and appealing, especially for kids (and adults who are kids at heart!). They’re ideal for breakfast, a brunch spread, or a playful dessert. So, if you’re looking for a simple yet show-stopping recipe, grab your Fruity Pebbles and let’s make some magic!
The Secret Behind Cereal Milk: Flavor Infusion Explained
The concept of “cereal milk” might sound simple, but it’s a brilliant way to extract and concentrate the unique flavor of your favorite breakfast cereal into a liquid form. At its core, it involves steeping cereal in milk, allowing the milk to absorb all those wonderful sugary, grainy notes. For these Fruity Pebble Cereal Milk Baked Donuts, the process is straightforward but impactful:
- You’ll combine milk with Fruity Pebbles and let it sit. During this time, the milk slowly takes on the vibrant, fruity essence of the cereal.
- After a brief steep, the soggy cereal flakes are strained out, leaving behind a beautifully flavored milk that is both sweet and reminiscent of that last, delicious spoonful from your cereal bowl.
This infused milk is then used in two key components of our donuts: first, as part of the donut batter, ensuring that fruity flavor permeates the cake itself, and second, as the base for the colorful glaze. This dual infusion guarantees that the unmistakable taste of Fruity Pebbles is present in every single bite, from the tender crumb to the sweet, glossy topping.
Fruity Pebble Cereal Milk Baked Donuts
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Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
Glaze
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1½ cup Fruity Pebbles cereal
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
Prepare the Donuts:
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Preheat the oven to 360 F (180 degrees). Lightly grease your donut pan with a bit of butter or non-stick spray.
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In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda.
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In a separate bowl, beat the butter, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until combined, then add the egg and beat for another minute or so. Add the flour mixture and the milk and gently stir until combined.
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Spoon out the mixture evenly into the donut pan. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Once the donuts are golden, remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
Prepare the Glaze:
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In a small bowl, add the milk and 1/2 cup of Fruity Pebbles and gently stir. Set aside for 10 minutes. Strain the milk into a small bowl and discard the soggy flakes.
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In a separate bowl, add the extra cup of Fruity Pebble cereal.
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Sift the icing sugar in a large mixing bowl and add three tablespoons of the cereal-infused milk and stir until combined.
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Gently dip each donut into the glaze before dunking into the bowl of Fruity Pebble flakes. Continue until all the donuts are glazed and topped with Fruit Pebble flakes.
Notes
Nutrition
Tips for Perfectly Baked Fruity Pebble Donuts
Achieving bakery-quality baked donuts at home is easier than you think! Follow these simple tips to ensure your Fruity Pebble Cereal Milk Baked Donuts turn out perfectly every time:
- Donut Pan is Key: A non-stick donut pan is essential for perfectly shaped baked donuts. If you only have one, you can bake in batches. Lightly grease each cavity, even if it’s non-stick, to ensure easy release.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Just like with muffins or cakes, overmixing donut batter can lead to tough, dense donuts. Mix until the ingredients are just combined. A few lumps are perfectly fine!
- Filling the Donut Pan: For neat, uniform donuts, use a piping bag (with or without a tip) or a Ziploc bag with a corner snipped off to pipe the batter into the donut cavities. This makes the process much cleaner and ensures an even distribution. Fill each cavity about two-thirds full.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow the donuts to cool slightly in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from sticking and helps them maintain their shape. Applying glaze to warm donuts can make it too runny.
- Perfect Glaze Consistency: The consistency of your cereal milk glaze is important. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more of the infused milk. If it’s too thin, sift in a little more confectioner’s sugar. You want a glaze that coats the back of a spoon and drips off slowly.
- Generous Fruity Pebble Topping: Don’t be shy with the final sprinkle of Fruity Pebbles! They add a delightful crunch and extra burst of color and flavor. Apply them immediately after glazing, before the glaze sets.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
These Fruity Pebble Cereal Milk Baked Donuts are incredibly versatile and perfect for any occasion. Here are some ideas for serving them and some fun variations you might want to try:
Serving Suggestions:
- Breakfast or Brunch Treat: A fantastic way to start the day, especially for special occasions or lazy weekend mornings. Serve with a fresh cup of coffee or a glass of milk.
- Kid’s Parties: Their vibrant colors and familiar cereal flavor make them an instant hit with children. They can be a fun alternative to cupcakes.
- Dessert: A light and playful dessert after any meal. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent experience.
- Homemade Gift: Package a few donuts in a decorative box or bag for a thoughtful, homemade gift that’s sure to impress.
Variations:
- Other Cereal Flavors: The cereal milk concept can be applied to many other cereals! Try Froot Loops for a similar fruity blast, Cinnamon Toast Crunch for a warm, spiced flavor, or even Cocoa Puffs for a chocolatey twist. Adjust the glaze to match the cereal.
- Add Sprinkles: If you want even more color, add some rainbow sprinkles to the batter or sprinkle them over the glaze alongside the Fruity Pebbles.
- Citrus Zest: A little lemon or orange zest in the donut batter can brighten up the vanilla flavor and complement the fruity notes of the cereal.
- White Chocolate Drizzle: After the glaze has set, drizzle some melted white chocolate over the donuts for an extra layer of sweetness and visual appeal.
No matter how you serve or customize them, these Fruity Pebble Cereal Milk Baked Donuts are guaranteed to be a delightful, memorable treat. They perfectly blend nostalgia with a fresh, homemade touch, making them an absolute winner for any sweet tooth!
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