My kids are always in the mood for treats, and they *love* doughnuts! But being a health-conscious mom, I don’t want to load them up on sugary foods too often.

For Valentine’s Day this year, my kids wanted a strawberry treat. Lo and behold, I developed a healthier version of a strawberry doughnut! These cake-like doughnuts are lightly sweet with fresh strawberry flavor. Top with some pink strawberry yogurt for a fun and festive treat!

What makes these doughnuts ‘healthier’?

I always hesitate to claim a treat is ‘healthy.’ But I definitely consider these doughnuts a healthier treat – one you can feel good about feeding your kids. Here’s why:

1. Baked doughnuts

Most of the doughnuts you get from a store or doughnut shop are deep fried. While that makes for a tasty treat, it adds lots of saturated and trans fat, plus extra calories you may or may not need. Baking the doughnuts in the oven means you skip the unnecessary fat of deep frying.

2. Whole grain doughnuts

These doughnuts are also made with whole grains, because I use whole wheat flour rather than the more refined all-purpose flour. This means you’re getting a complex carbohydrate instead of a simple carbohydrate – one that breaks down more slowly and won’t spike your blood sugar as much. It also means you’re getting a little more protein and fiber.

3. Doughnuts with only a little added sugar

In addition to being deep fried rings of goodness, typical doughnuts are also loaded with sugar – usually in both the batter itself, as well as in a glaze or frosting. These lightly sweetened doughnuts have only a little added sugar – just some honey in the batter and a little jam in the strawberry topping. Overall, the amount of added sugar is significantly lower than your average doughnut or sweet treat.

Healthier Strawberry Doughnut Recipe

Ingredients

1 C white whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
a pinch of salt
1/4 C honey
1 egg
1/4 C Greek yogurt
1/4 C applesauce
1/4 C canola oil
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 C frozen strawberries, thawed and finely diced

Strawberry Topping

2 C plain Greek yogurt
1/4 C strawberry fruit preserves (look for low sugar option)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a doughnut pan and set aside.
2. Place frozen strawberries in a small microwave-safe bowl. Warm on 50% power for 2 minutes or until thawed.
3. Dice strawberries finely. Set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 C white whole wheat flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
5. In a large bowl, combine 1/4 C honey, 1 egg, 1/4 C Greek yogurt, 1/4 C applesauce, 1/4 C canola oil, 1 tsp vanilla.
6. Gradually add dry ingredients to the large bowl of wet ingredients. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until combined. Add diced strawberries and stir gently until incorporated. (Don’t overmix!) Batter should be thick but fluffy.
7. Spoon batter into piping bag and pipe into doughnut pan. (Alternatively, you may spoon batter directly in pan.) Do not overfill. (Recipe should make about 10 doughnuts.)
8. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool in pan for a few minutes. Then remove from pan and cool on wire rack.
9. While doughnuts bake, combine Greek yogurt and strawberry preserves. Stir until yogurt is pink and strawberry preserves are thoroughly mixed in.
10. Once doughnuts have cooled completely, top with strawberry yogurt topping or peanut butter and strawberry jam (or enjoy plain!).

Inspired by the baked strawberry donut recipe by House of Nash Eats. 

Want ideas on how to cut back on added sugar without eliminating treats? Check out my article here!