12 Hole-In-One Donuts Recipes
There’s something magical about the aroma of fresh donuts frying in the kitchen—it takes me straight back to my childhood summers at my grandparents’ house in rural Ohio. Every Saturday, Grandma would fire up her old cast-iron pot, filling the air with the scent of yeasty dough and sugar. We’d sneak bites of her simple glazed donuts, still warm from the oil, while pretending they were our secret golf course snacks during family putt-putt outings. Those memories sparked my love for donuts as the ultimate comfort food.
Lately, I’ve been on a donut experimentation kick in my home kitchen, channeling my weekend golf hobby into playful “Hole-In-One” recipes. These aren’t your average rings; they’re themed around the thrill of the green, from fairway-inspired glazes to bunker-busting fillings. With golf season in full swing (pun intended), these 12 recipes are perfect for game-day brunches, tailgates, or just celebrating a personal best on the course. They’re beginner-friendly, customizable, and guaranteed to score big with friends and family.
Classic Fairway Glazed Donut
Start with a basic yeast dough: 2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 packet yeast, 3/4 cup warm milk, 1 egg, 2 tbsp butter, and a pinch of salt. Mix, knead, let rise 1 hour, roll out, cut into rings, and fry in 350°F oil for 1-2 minutes per side. Dip in a glaze of 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, and 1 tsp vanilla. These golden beauties mimic a pristine fairway and offer a light, fluffy texture that’s low-guilt with air-fried options.
Health perks include customizable whole-wheat flour swaps for fiber, making them a smarter indulgence. Perfect for breakfast or post-round fuel.
Green Jacket Filled Donut
For the filling, whip 1 cup heavy cream with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and green food coloring. Dough: same as above but add vanilla extract. Fry, cool, fill with a piping bag, and dust with powdered sugar. Inspired by Masters glory, the creamy mint-green center bursts with flavor.
Benefits: Protein from added Greek yogurt in the filling keeps you satisfied longer, ideal for all-day energy on or off the course.
Birdie Berry Cream Donut
Combine 1 cup mixed berries, 1/2 cup cream cheese, and 2 tbsp sugar for filling. Use a quick biscuit dough: 2 cups flour, 3 tsp baking powder, 1/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup milk, fry or bake at 375°F. Fill and top with berry glaze. One bite under par—sweet-tart perfection.
Antioxidant-rich berries boost immunity, turning this into a “healthier” treat for active lifestyles.
Eagle Eye Chocolate Donut
Melt 1 cup chocolate chips with 1/2 cup cream for ganache. Cake donut batter: 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup cocoa, bake in donut pan at 350°F for 12 minutes. Dip and sprinkle sea salt. Sharp, intense flavor like spotting an eagle from the tee.
Dark chocolate’s flavonoids support heart health, making it a winner for indulgent recovery snacks.
Putt-Putt Cinnamon Sugar Donut
Roll fried yeast donuts (basic recipe) in cinnamon-sugar mix: 1/2 cup sugar + 2 tsp cinnamon. Simple, no-fuss steps yield crunchy exteriors and soft centers. Evokes smooth putting greens with warm spice.
Cinnamon aids blood sugar control, pairing perfectly with carbs for steady energy during long rounds.
Tee Time Lemon Zest Donut
Zest 2 lemons into batter: 2 cups flour, 2/3 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 2 eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup oil, bake 12 minutes. Glaze with 1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp lemon juice. Bright, zingy start to your day.
Vitamin C from lemons enhances immunity, a refreshing twist on fried favorites.
Bunker Buster Peanut Butter Donut
Fill cake donuts with 1/2 cup peanut butter + 1/4 cup powdered sugar mix. Top with chocolate drizzle. Fry or bake batter: add PB powder for flavor. Explosive taste escapes any sand trap.
Peanut butter’s healthy fats and protein promote satiety, great for golfers needing sustained fuel.
Albatross Apple Fritter Donut
Chop 2 apples, mix into thick batter: 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 cup milk, cinnamon, fry spoonfuls. Glaze lightly. Rare, triple-under-par delight in donut form.
Apples add fiber for digestion, balancing the fried indulgence.
Fore! Maple Bacon Donut
Cook 4 bacon strips, chop, mix into yeast dough. Fry, glaze with 1 cup powdered sugar + 3 tbsp maple syrup. Bold, savory-sweet warning shot.
Bacon’s protein pairs with maple’s antioxidants for a satisfying, muscle-repairing treat.
Divot Dark Chocolate Truffle Donut
Truffle center: 8 oz dark chocolate + 1/2 cup cream, chill, insert into baked donuts. Dust cocoa. Rich, fudgy fix for course mishaps.
High-cacao chocolate improves mood and cognition—mental edge for your next swing.
Swingin’ Strawberry Shortcake Donut
Layer baked donuts with whipped cream and sliced strawberries macerated in sugar. Quick assembly post-bake. Summery, layered joy.
Strawberries’ low calories and high nutrients make this a lighter dessert option.
Champion’s Cheesecake Donut
Filling: 8 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, swirl into batter before baking. Top with graham crumble. Trophy-worthy creamy core.
Cheesecake’s calcium supports bones—essential for that powerful golf swing.
These Hole-In-One Donut recipes are your ticket to hole-out happiness—easy to whip up, endlessly shareable, and sure to impress at your next golf gathering or cozy night in. Grab your apron, channel your inner pro, and bake a batch today. Which one will be your personal best? Let me know in the comments!
