This Powdered Sugar Donut Cake is all the best parts of a powdered donut without having to break out the deep fryer!
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This Powdered Sugar Donut Cake is all the best parts of a powdered donut without having to break out the deep fryer!
One of the drawbacks of my fear of deep-frying foods is that I hardly ever get homemade donuts. Sometimes my brother-in-law makes them, and those are the best days. I’ve tried my hands at Apple Fritters though, so maybe I’ll be able to tackle donuts soon.
In the meantime though, I have this Powdered Sugar Donut Cake to keep me company. This cake is full of the butter and nutmeg (freshly grated is a must here) flavors that your favorite powdered donuts all have. The sour cream in the recipe makes for an incredibly moist cake, and the whole thing can be mixed and baked in under 40 minutes.
Ingredient List
- sugar - regular granulated sugar is called for here
- butter - use unsalted butter
- sour cream - adds richness and moistness to the cake
- nutmeg - fresh ground nutmeg is the key to the flavor of this cake
- flour - all purpose flour
- powdered sugar - you can't have a powdered sugar donut cake without powdered sugar

Tips and Tricks
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy cake removal and easy cleanup.
- The powdered sugar will sort of melt into the cake as it sits, so it’s best to dust the cake with sugar right before serving. You can also add a fresh layer of sugar right before serving if you have to make the cake ahead.
PRO TIP: Make sure the cake is a little bit warm when brushing the melted butter over it before adding the powdered sugar topping.
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How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reapply powdered sugar before serving leftovers.
But I don't like Nutmeg
If you don't like nutmeg that much, you could use cinnamon instead. It wont necessarily taste like a powdered sugar donut, but it will still be delicious!

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Powdered Sugar Donut Cake
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 ¼ teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
POWDERED SUGAR TOPPING
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 3-4 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 and line an 8 inch square cake pan with parchment paper that is cut to hang over two edges of the pan. Spray the pan with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar, until pale yellow and foamy. This will take 1-3 minutes or so based on how fast you whisk.
- Add in the sour cream, nutmeg, salt and vanilla, and stir to combine.
- Add the flour, baking soda and baking powder and stir to combine.
- Bake for 28-35 minutes, or until pale brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, and then use the parchment overhang to lift the cake out of the pan, and cool for another 20-30 minutes on a wire rack.
- POWDERED SUGAR TOPPING
- Melt the butter in a small bowl, and then using a pastry brush, brush the butter over the top of the cake.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, dust the powdered sugar all over the top of the cake.
- Cut and serve.
This looks intriguing, but to clarify is the sugar for the cake 3 to 4 cups or 3/4 cup?
3/4 of a cup! Whoops! Thank you for pointing that out! The recipe has been corrected.
SR
Made the cake
Where’s the melted butter come in ???
Not in the cake recipe !
And 1/2 not in topping
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for pointing this out! The butter is added in step 3 with the sour cream - I'll be fixing the recipe!
Sara