Baked Meyer Lemon Donuts

Meyer Lemons are awesome. Donuts are awesome. Therefore, Meyer Lemon Donuts are awesomer.  True story.  They also make for pretty pictures :-)  So many of my posts include camera phone shots taken on the fly as I am trying to get dinner on the table, and unfortunately, I don't really see that changing anytime soon. I mean, let's be real. I have 3 young kids. Enough said.  ANYway, I have been working on my "food styling" techniques when I have time. (if I could just learn how to properly use my camera, that would be great.)  But, there is just something 'happy' about Meyer Lemons that makes me want to take their picture!

Baked donuts are a favorite around here (b/c I am a mean mama and deprive my children of the store-bought trans-fat laden versions). When they get there first bite of a freshly baked, warm Krispy Kreme, I will  most likely lose the "my mom is so awesome she makes us great donuts" status.

Meyer Lemon Baked Donuts adapted from Sweet Mornings Baked Lemon Donuts

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp sea salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup sugar substitute (I used NuNaturals Tagatose)
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 eggs
¾ cup low fat plain yogurt
6 Tbsp meyer lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray a doughnut pan with cooking spray.

Mix together flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, and sugar substitute (if using).
In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, eggs, yogurt, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
Add wet ingredients to the dry and mix to combine.
Fill the donut pan 2/3 full of batter. (I just use a spoon, but some people prefer to pipe it in.)
Bake for 12-15 minutes.
Remove from pan and let cool on wire rack.
Top donuts as desired. 

A glaze of lemon juice and confectioners sugar is delicious, or you can dip them in powdered sugar. (or you can do both like we did!).

NOTES - You can use 3/4 cup granulated sugar and skip the sugar substitute if desired, or you could probably use all sugar substitute (for baking), but I haven't tried that.  You could also use regular lemons instead of Meyer lemons, or use orange juice, for orange donuts! Also, these are a dense, cake-like donut, not a light and fluffy one. (Cake donuts are my fave!)

Well, enjoy these bright, sunny donuts during this COLD, dreary day! Yes, I bragged too soon about our awesome weather....I actually saw a few snow flakes yesterday, with more in the forecast today!



I am linking this recipe up at (Monday) Holly's Stamping Addiction, The Dedicated House, Homemaker on a Dime,Delightfully Dowling, Skip to my Lou, Project Inspire, Making the World Cuter, Mrs. Happy Homemaker, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, This Gal Cooks, Watch Out, Martha! (Tuesday) Snappee Turtle, Naptime Creations, Mandy's Recipe Box, Pocket Change Gourmet,  33 Shades of Green, Blessed with Grace, Zentmrs. & The Mr., Memories By the Mile, Hun...What's for Dinner (Wednesday) Semi Homemade Mom, Adorned from Above, Lady Behind the Curtain, Ginger Snap Crafts, Hungry Little Girl, Naptime is My Time (Thursday) Designed Decor, Taste and Tell,  Miz Helen's Country Cottage, The Mandatory Mooch,  The Busy Bee's, (Friday) Not Your Ordinary Recipes,  Simple Living and Eating, Just Us Four, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo, Diana Rambles, The Better Baker, Craftionary, Mummy Deals, One Artsy Mama, The Best Blog Recipes, One Creative Mommy  (Saturday) Sweet as Sugar Cookies,  Six Sisters' Stuff, (Sunday) Mommy's Sweet Confessions