This delicious chocolate donut recipe is so easy to make! Baked chocolate donuts with a rich and creamy chocolate ganache glaze…can you get any more heavenly than that!? YUMMMMM!
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Is there anything better than starting your day with a decadent and fudgy, delicious frosted chocolate donut and a tall glass of milk? How about savoring a sweet bite after dinner in the evening? Or enjoying a chocolate-y snack on the go? These sweet treats are perfect for any time of day! Plus, they’re really easy to make — all you need is a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time. So, why not give this yummy chocolate donut recipe a try?
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Ingredients You’ll Need for Chocolate Donuts
Most of these ingredients are baking staples, so you probably have most of these items in your pantry already. The only thing that might be new to you is the espresso powder. Don’t worry if you don’t have any on hand – you can simply omit it from the recipe if you don’t have any, but it really does add a lovely depth of flavor to the recipe!
For the baked chocolate donuts recipe, you will need:
- Unsalted Butter
- Granulated Sugar
- An Egg
- Vanilla Extract
- Espresso Powder
- Hot Water
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- Buttermilk
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Chocolate and Rainbow Sprinkles (optional, for garnish)
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Chocolate Ganache Icing
This chocolate ganache icing will take your chocolate donuts to the next level! It looks super fancy, but it’s super easy to make using a base of simple chocolate chips. If you want to keep things simple, you could skip the glaze and dust your baked donuts with some powdered sugar, but I highly recommend giving this glaze a try!
For the chocolate ganache recipe, you will need:
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Heavy Cream
- Unsalted Butter
Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Donuts
How long do chocolate donuts last? How should I store my chocolate donuts?
Chocolate donuts are best on the day they are made. If there are any left, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For the best flavor, bring leftover donuts back to room temperature before eating.
Can I use a different type of glaze for chocolate cake donuts?
Yes, of course! We love these donuts paired with a rich chocolate glaze, but you can use any type of glaze, frosting, or topping that you like! You may also leave the chocolate cake donuts unglazed or dust them in sweet ground cocoa powder or powdered sugar.
What You’ll Need:
For the Chocolate Donuts
- 6 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Large Egg
- 2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 tsp. Espresso Powder
- 1/8 Cup Hot Water
- 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 2/3 Cup Buttermilk
- 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 3/4 tsp. Baking Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
- 1/4 tsp. Salt
- Rainbow & Chocolate Sprinkles, optional, for decoration
For the Chocolate Ganache Icing
- 1 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 2 Tbsp. Heavy Cream
- 2 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter, melted
Instructions:
To Make the Donuts
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and set aside a donut pan that has been coated with butter and cocoa powder.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until they are well combined. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until everything is smooth.
- Add the espresso powder to ⅛ cup of hot water and stir until the powder has dissolved. Add this mixture to the batter and mix until combined.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients to the batter with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
- Transfer batter to a piping bag and evenly pipe batter into each well in the donut pan.
- Bake the donuts for 10 minutes until a cake tester inserted comes out clean or with just a few loose crumbs. After 5 minutes transfer to a cooling rack to fully cool.
For the Ganache Glaze
- Prepare the ganache glaze while the donuts are cooling. In a medium deep bowl, mix the heavy cream with the chocolate chips and microwave for 20-second increments until evenly melted. Be sure to stir after every 20 seconds in the microwave. Stir in the melted butter until silky, and smooth in texture.
- Dip the tops of the donuts in the glaze and return to a cooling rack with parchment paper or a cookie sheet underneath to catch the dripping glaze. If using sprinkles, add them before icing sets. If the ganache seems to be taking too long to set, place the glazed donuts in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
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Heidi Kundin has captivated the hearts of millions with her colorful and inspiring approach to crafting, celebrations, and family fun. With over 15 years of experience, Happiness is Homemade has become a must-visit destination for those seeking quick and easy creative ideas and last-minute solutions. Heidi’s warm personality shines through her posts, inviting readers to join her on a creative journey that’s fun, rewarding, and achievable. Heidi is also the author of Homemade Bath Bombs & More and DIY Tie-Dye.