If you love the flavor of fresh raspberry jam donuts but don’t feel like breaking out the fryer, these Baked Raspberry Jam Buns are the perfect solution. They’re soft, fluffy, and bursting with sweet jam in every bite—without the mess of hot oil. The best part? A glossy raspberry glaze and a sprinkle of powdered sugar give them that bakery-style finish you can make right at home.
Why You’ll Love These Jam Buns
- Healthier than fried donuts – All the flavor, none of the deep frying.
- Versatile filling – Raspberry jam is classic, but you can use any fruit jam you love.
- Perfect for any occasion – Breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, or dessert.
- Make-ahead friendly – The dough can be prepped the night before and baked in the morning.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Warm milk – Helps activate the yeast for a light, airy texture.
- Active dry yeast – The secret to soft, pillowy buns.
- Sugar & salt – For sweetness and flavor balance.
- Unsalted butter – Adds richness to the dough.
- Eggs – For structure and softness.
- All-purpose flour – The base of your dough.
- Raspberry jam – Sweet and tangy filling.
- Powdered sugar – For dusting.
- Glaze ingredients – Fresh raspberries, powdered sugar, and a touch of lemon juice.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the Dough
Warm the milk until just lukewarm (about 110°F / 43°C) and stir in the yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, butter, eggs, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and flour, then knead until smooth and elastic, about 8–10 minutes. - Let It Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size—about 1 to 1.5 hours. - Shape the Buns
Punch down the dough and divide it into equal pieces (about 10–12). Flatten each piece slightly, spoon a bit of raspberry jam in the center, then pinch and seal the dough around the filling. Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. - Second Rise
Cover and let the buns rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy. - Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake buns for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown. - Glaze & Finish
For the glaze, mash fresh raspberries and strain to remove seeds. Whisk with powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over slightly cooled buns, then dust with powdered sugar.
Pro Tips for Success
- Use room temperature ingredients for the fluffiest dough.
- Don’t overfill—too much jam can leak during baking.
- For a neater glaze, drizzle after buns are completely cool.
Serving Suggestions
These baked jam buns pair beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea. Serve warm for a melt-in-your-mouth experience, or at room temperature for a soft, bakery-style treat.