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Being baked, this Chocolate Donut is an easier version of the classic treat, featuring a moist crumb and a luscious glaze that will have you reaching for seconds.
Imagine starting your day with the rich aroma of a freshly baked chocolate donut wafting through the air.
They’re simple to whip up and use basic ingredients, so even a novice baker can achieve perfection.
Making these old-fashioned donuts is just plain satisfying. From the aroma that fills your home to the amazingly fresh, warm donuts at the end.
If you’re looking for the perfect chocolate donuts, look no further. They’re moist, fluffy, and covered with a sweet glaze that is absolutely to die for!
I actually got Jeremy making these on a fairly regular basis. He likes chocolate cake donuts A LOT and once this recipe came along, he was hooked.
If this isn’t your favorite recipe when all is said and done, I’ll be really surprised.
Whether you’re serving this chocolate donut for breakfast or as a sweet treat, they are sure to satisfy any chocolate craving.
Some of our other favorite chocolate recipes we have on our site include: Simple Recipe for Chocolate Cupcakes, Copycat Chocolate Wendys Frosty Recipe, and Chocolate Whoopie Pies Recipe with Strawberry Frosting.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Healthier Treat: Baked instead of fried, these donuts are lighter and less oily than traditional yeast donuts.
- Simple Ingredients: With pantry staples like flour, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract, these donuts are easy to make anytime.
- Versatile: From sprinkling with chocolate chips to adding a dusting of powdered sugar, these donuts are perfect for experimenting with different flavors.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Kosher salt
- Butter (melted)
- Brown sugar (packed)
- Vanilla extract
- Cocoa powder
- Egg
- Egg yolk
- Sour cream
- Buttermilk
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE DONUT:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and spray donut pans with cooking spray, set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined. Set aside.
- Cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth in a large bowl.
- Add the cocoa powder to the butter mixture and mix until combined.
- Beat the eggs into the butter mixture, one at a time.
- Mix the sour cream into the batter.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk until fully incorporated. Do not overmix.
- Pour the mixture into a large piping bag or Ziploc bag with one corner of the bag snipped off, and pipe the batter into each donut cavity about ¾ full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the donuts are cooked through and a toothpick inserted in the donut comes out clean.
- Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before removing from the pan.
- Mix glaze ingredients together in a medium bowl until smooth. Dip donuts into the glaze mixture (I like to double dip for an extra thick coating).
- Transfer coated donuts to a cooling rack to cool, enjoy!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
DO I HAVE TO USE BUTTERMILK?
No, you don’t have to use buttermilk.
You can substitute it with any milk, whether whole or low-fat.
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, add a bit of lemon juice to milk to mimic its acidity.
This easy recipe allows for flexibility, and this simple substitution will still give you the real deal flavor in your baked chocolate donuts.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN THEY ARE DONE?
To check if your homemade donuts are ready, look for golden brown edges and insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, they’re done!
Avoid overbaking to keep a moist crumb.
Use nonstick cooking spray on your muffin tin or donut pan for easy removal.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Oh man, some nuts in that delicious glaze would be amazing. Don’t you think?
- Chocolate Chips: Add them to the batter for extra bursts of chocolate flavor.
- Sprinkles: Add colorful sprinkles for a festive look.
- Nuts: Top with chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchy texture.
- Cinnamon: Add cinnamon to the batter for a warm twist.
- Peanut Butter: Add a swirl of peanut butter to complement the chocolate flavor.
- Espresso Powder: Enhance the chocolate flavor with a hint of coffee.
- Maple Syrup: Drizzle over the glaze for a unique touch.
- Coconut: Sprinkle shredded coconut for a tropical taste.
- Powdered Sugar: Finish with powdered sugar for a classic look.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
I know everyone has different tastes and dietary needs. Here are some ideas for some simple swaps.
- Butter: Substitute with coconut oil or vegetable oil.
- Sour Cream: Greek yogurt can be used instead.
- Flour: Substitute with gluten-free flour or whole wheat flour.
- Milk: Use dairy-free milk like almond or coconut milk.
- Cocoa Powder: Melted dark chocolate can work instead of cocoa powder.
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Store the donuts in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
They will last covered at room temperature for 2 days.
Freezer: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
- Do Not Overmix: Mix until just combined to maintain a tender crumb.
- Use a Piping Bag: It’s the best way to get the batter into the donut cavities neatly.
- Grease the Pan: Ensure the donut pan is well-greased for easy removal.
- Double Dip Glaze: Double dipping gives a thick, luscious glaze.
- Add Toppings Fast: Add toppings (if using) immediately after glazing to ensure they stick.
A Chocolate Donut is a super yummy way to indulge in a sweet treat without the guilt of frying. YUSS!
With their fluffy chocolate cake base and vanilla glaze, this chocolate donut recipe makes a perfect treat for any time of day.
Plus, their versatility means you can make them your own with a range of toppings.
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this CHOCOLATE DONUT, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Baked Chocolate Donut with Simple Glaze
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
For the glaze:
- 1 & ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and spray donut pans with cooking spray, set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined. Set aside.1 cup all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth in a large bowl.¼ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the cocoa powder to the butter mixture and mix until combined.½ cup cocoa powder
- Beat the eggs into the butter mixture, one at a time.1 large egg, 1 large egg yolk
- Mix the sour cream into the batter.⅓ cup sour cream
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk until fully incorporated. Do not overmix.⅓ cup buttermilk
- Pour the mixture into a large piping bag or Ziploc bag with one corner of the bag snipped off, and pipe the batter into each donut cavity about ¾ full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the donuts are cooked through and a toothpick inserted in the donut comes out clean.
- Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before removing from the pan.
- Mix glaze ingredients together in a medium bowl until smooth. Dip donuts into the glaze mixture (I like to double dip for an extra thick coating).1 & ½ cups powdered sugar, ½ cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Transfer coated donuts to a cooling rack to cool, enjoy!
Notes
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
- Do Not Overmix: Mix until just combined to maintain a tender crumb.
- Use a Piping Bag: It’s the best way to get the batter into the donut cavities neatly.
- Grease the Pan: Ensure the donut pan is well-greased for easy removal.
- Double Dip Glaze: Double dipping gives a thick, luscious glaze.
- Add Toppings Fast: Add toppings (if using) immediately after glazing to ensure they stick.
Nutrition
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