This easy Labor Day weekend dessert is the kind of cozy shortcut recipe that makes a gathering feel special without keeping you in the kitchen. Using frozen mini donuts as the base gives you a soft, sweet baked treat with hardly any fuss, and it comes together beautifully in one roasting pan. It has a bread-pudding-meets-donut-bake feel, making it perfect for feeding family and friends when you want something warm, comforting, and just a little playful.
Serve this dessert warm with coffee after a backyard cookout, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a more dressed-up finish. Fresh berries on the side help balance the sweetness, and if you're putting together a holiday spread, it fits right in next to grilled favorites, fruit salad, and cold lemonade.
5-Ingredient Oven-Baked Mini Donut Dessert Bake
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 bag solid unthawed unwrapped frozen mini donuts, about 16 ounces
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an oven-safe metal roasting pan if needed. Spread the solid unthawed unwrapped frozen mini donuts in an even layer in the pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, and cinnamon until smooth and well combined.
3. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the frozen mini donuts, pressing the donuts down gently so they soak up some of the liquid.
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the custard is set and the tops are lightly golden. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving so it slices and scoops more easily.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters: Skip the cinnamon and use plain sugar if your family prefers a more classic sweet flavor. A little vanilla ice cream on top also makes this especially kid-friendly.
Make it extra festive: Add red and blue berries on top when serving for a Labor Day look. Strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries make this bake feel bright and fresh.
Texture tip: If you like a softer, more pudding-like center, bake closer to 30 minutes. For a firmer casserole-style dessert with more golden edges, bake closer to 35 minutes.
Pan tip: A shallow metal roasting pan helps the bake cook evenly and gives you more golden surface area. If your pan is deeper, you may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
Serving idea: This is best served warm the day it is made, but leftovers can be covered and refrigerated, then reheated gently in the oven for breakfast or dessert the next day.