If you have a serious sweet tooth and a love for chocolate, then this Baked Chocolate Donuts Recipe is here to steal your heart. These donuts are brilliantly soft and moist, offering a perfect chocolate kick in every bite thanks to the decadent cocoa and chocolate chips baked right in. Plus, they’re baked instead of fried, making them a slightly lighter indulgence without sacrificing any of the rich, luscious flavor. Whether you’re craving a cozy weekend treat or planning to impress friends with homemade delights, these donuts are an absolute showstopper that’s surprisingly simple to pull off.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this recipe is a breeze, and every single one plays an essential role in creating donuts that are tender, flavorful, and perfectly chocolatey. From the cocoa powder giving those classic chocolate notes to the yogurt which keeps the texture moist, each piece is a key player in this delightful dessert.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (120g): The foundation that gives your donuts structure without weighing them down.
- ½ tsp baking powder (2g): Helps your donuts rise beautifully and become delightfully fluffy.
- ½ tsp baking soda (3g): Works with the yogurt to create a light, airy texture.
- â…“ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (28g): Delivers that deep, rich chocolate flavor that makes these donuts irresistible.
- â…› tsp kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the chocolatey richness.
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100g): Provides just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy your cravings.
- 1 large egg (50g): Binds all ingredients and adds moisture.
- ½ cup plain yogurt (114g): Keeps the donuts wonderfully tender while adding a subtle tang.
- ¼ cup canola oil (50g): Ensures the donuts stay moist and soft.
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (4g): Brings out the depth of flavors with a warm, sweet aroma.
- ½ cup chocolate chips (85g): Melts into pockets of gooey chocolate in every bite.
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (28g (¼ stick)): Adds richness to the glaze.
- 1 tbsp milk (14g): Smooths out the glaze to the perfect consistency.
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract (2g): Enhances the chocolate glaze with extra flavor.
- 2 tbsp chocolate sprinkles (24g, for topping): Gives a fun, festive crunch and makes them look irresistible.
How to Make Baked Chocolate Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
The key to perfect donuts starts with preheating your oven to 350°F and generously spraying your donut tin with nonstick baking spray. This makes sure the donuts pop out easily and keep their beautiful shape after baking.
Step 2: Sift the Dry Ingredients
Sifting one cup of all-purpose flour into a large bowl helps eliminate any lumps and ensures an even, light texture for your donuts. Then add your baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, salt, and sugar to the bowl before whisking everything together until well combined.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, plain yogurt, canola oil, and vanilla extract. Mixing these wet ingredients fully before adding to the dry helps create that perfectly balanced batter.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix and stir gently until the batter is just smooth. The magic here is to avoid over mixing—you want tender donuts, not chewy. A little bit of flour lumps is okay!
Step 5: Fill the Donut Tin
Using a spoon or piping bag, fill each donut cavity just a bit more than ¾ full so your donuts have room to rise without spilling over. This step is crucial for that perfect donut shape.
Step 6: Bake to Chocolatey Perfection
Pop the tin into the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick—it should come out clean when the donuts are done. Let them cool for about 5 minutes, then carefully invert the pan over a wire rack to release the donuts.
Step 7: Prepare the Chocolate Glaze
Place your chocolate chips, unsalted butter, milk, and vanilla into a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 30 seconds. Stir until everything is melted and smooth, creating a luscious glaze that’s perfect for frosting.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Dunk each donut generously into the chocolate glaze, then top with chocolate sprinkles for that extra touch of fun and crunch. Let the glaze set slightly before serving.
How to Serve Baked Chocolate Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the donuts even further, try garnishing with fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar. You could also add chopped nuts or a drizzle of caramel for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Side Dishes
Serve your baked chocolate donuts alongside a steaming cup of coffee, a rich hot chocolate, or even a refreshing glass of cold milk. These pairings balance sweetness and make your donut experience complete.
Creative Ways to Present
Get creative by stacking the donuts into a mini tower for a party centerpiece, or arrange them on a platter with dips like peanut butter or cream cheese frosting. You could also serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a cozy dessert treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover donuts, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This will maintain their soft texture and keep them chocolatey fresh.
Freezing
These baked chocolate donuts freeze beautifully. Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to a month, making them perfect for future cravings.
Reheating
To enjoy your frozen or leftover donuts, simply warm them in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or reheat them in a toaster oven for a minute or two to bring back that fresh-baked feel.
FAQs
Can I substitute yogurt in the Baked Chocolate Donuts Recipe?
Absolutely! You can use sour cream or buttermilk as a substitute for plain yogurt. These will still give a tender crumb and add a slight tanginess that complements the chocolate flavor well.
Are these donuts gluten-free?
This particular recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, you can experiment with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, but results may vary slightly in texture.
Can I make these donuts without a donut tin?
While donut tins make shaping super easy, you can use a muffin tin as an alternative to make small cakes or pour the batter into silicone donut molds if you have them. The baking time might adjust a bit, so keep an eye on them.
How long do the glazed donuts stay fresh?
Once glazed, these donuts are best enjoyed the day they are made for the optimal texture and taste. If you need to store them, keep them in an airtight container and enjoy within two days.
Can I use dark chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips?
Yes, using dark chocolate chips is a fantastic way to enhance the richness of the donuts and add a slight bitter contrast to the sweetness, which many chocolate lovers will appreciate.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try this Baked Chocolate Donuts Recipe, it will become one of your all-time favorites to make over and over. They’re simple, satisfying, and just downright delicious. So next time you’re craving something chocolaty and special, dive right into this recipe and enjoy the joy of homemade donuts that everyone will love!
Print
Baked Chocolate Donuts Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these rich and moist Baked Chocolate Donuts, a healthier twist on the classic treat made without frying. These donuts combine cocoa and chocolate chips for intense chocolate flavor, with a tender crumb thanks to yogurt and oil. Finished with a luscious homemade chocolate glaze and fun sprinkles, they’re perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (120g)
- ½ tsp baking powder (2g)
- ½ tsp baking soda (3g)
- â…“ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (28g)
- â…› tsp kosher salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg (50g)
- ½ cup plain yogurt (114g)
- ¼ cup canola oil (50g)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (4g)
Chocolate Glaze
- ½ cup chocolate chips (85g)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (28g, ¼ stick)
- 1 tbsp milk (14g)
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract (2g)
Topping
- 2 tbsp chocolate sprinkles (24g)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously spray a donut tin with nonstick baking spray to ensure the donuts release easily after baking.
- Sift dry ingredients: Sift the all-purpose flour into a large mixing bowl to aerate it and remove lumps.
- Mix dry ingredients: Add the baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, kosher salt, and granulated sugar to the sifted flour. Whisk them together thoroughly to combine evenly.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg, plain yogurt, canola oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Mix batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently mix until just smooth, being careful not to overmix as this can develop gluten and make the donuts chewy.
- Fill donut pan: Using a spoon or piping bag, fill each donut well about three-quarters full. This allows room for the batter to rise without overflowing.
- Bake the donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in a donut; it should come out clean. Let the donuts cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then carefully invert the pan over a wire rack to release the donuts. Repeat for all batches.
- Prepare chocolate glaze: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, unsalted butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Microwave for 30 seconds or until melted and stir until smooth and glossy.
- Glaze and decorate: Generously coat each cooled donut with the chocolate glaze and sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles for a fun and festive finish.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to maintain tender, fluffy donuts.
- Use plain yogurt for a slight tang and moist texture; Greek yogurt can be used but may alter the texture slightly.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin but expect a different shape and slightly longer baking time.
- The glaze can be customized by adding a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder for extra flavor.
- Use nonstick spray with flour for easy donut removal if desired.
- Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
