Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. This is essential for achieving a perfect bake. While it heats up, spray your donut pan with nonstick spray to ensure easy release.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder, and salt. This dry mixture is the foundation of your batter, providing the necessary structure.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Whisk them together until fully combined. You'll want to create a smooth, creamy mixture. The butter should melt nicely into the sugar, forming a lovely, glossy base.
Next, add the eggs to the butter-sugar mix. Beat the mixture until well blended and fluffy. This step is important for incorporating air, which will help the donuts rise beautifully.
Now, add in the dry ingredients from the first bowl. Mix gently until just combined. Don’t overmix; a few lumps are okay at this stage.
Incorporate the vanilla bean paste and buttermilk. Gently stir until the batter is smooth and creamy. This is where the magic starts—your batter will smell amazing!
Carefully fold in the confetti sprinkles and sliced strawberries. You want them evenly distributed without overworking the batter. Each donut needs that burst of flavor!
Using a spoon, fill each mold in the donut pan about three-quarters of the way full with the batter. This amount ensures they have room to rise without overflowing.
Bake the donuts for 13 to 15 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they are set and slightly golden on the edges. Keep an eye on them as ovens can vary.
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the donuts to cool slightly before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling period is crucial as it helps the donuts firm up a bit.
While the donuts cool, prepare the glaze. Add the sliced strawberries to a food processor and blend until completely pureed. If you prefer a seedless glaze, press the puree through a fine mesh sieve. Stir in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until you reach a sticky consistency.
When the donuts are cool, dip each one in the glaze and cover it in multicolored sprinkles. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful creation!
