Baked Chocolate Donuts
This delightful recipe for baked chocolate donuts is so wonderfully simple that you might reconsider choosing fried donuts ever again. Each donut offers a burst of rich chocolate flavor, making them a treat you can enjoy without any guilt.
I don’t know about you but I do like a good fried chocolate donut every once in a while. But I don’t like the calories or the way I feel after I eat one. In fact, they repeat on me and that is not fun.
So, once I started making my own baked donuts, I’ve never looked back and these chocolate donuts satisfy my chocolate loving need and cravings for its fried cousins.
With these donuts, you don’t sacrifice flavor and you’ll find them both satisfying and comforting.
We are a participant in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites. #CommisionsEarned. You can read my disclosure here.
Helpful tips
- Although I use sprouted spelt flour, you can substitute it with whole wheat or white all-purpose flour.
- Ditch your popular brand of cooking spray and use the healthier version – olive oil cooking spray.
- Here is the donut pan I use.
- I’ve made these donuts many times and sometimes the batter is dryer than other times. That’s normal, it tastes the same.
- Ideas on toppings to dip the donuts: shredded coconut, small chocolate chips, small M & M’s, powdered sugar, cinnamon/sugar and chopped nuts.
How to make baked chocolate donuts
Pre-step
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray the donut pan with olive oil cooking spray.
Step one
Gather flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. (A)
Step two
Add the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix them together until the are combined. I use a pastry blender.
Step three
Gather the other ingredients – chocolate chips, butter, brown sugar, and buttermilk. (B)
Step four
Add butter and chocolate in a sauce pan and turn the heat on medium/low to melt them. Add sugar and stir.
Step five
In a small mixing bowl, add an egg, buttermilk, and vanilla and whisk until combined. (C)
Step six
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients (D) and use a spatula to mix the ingredients together.
Would you like to save this recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Don't worry, I promise not to spam you.
Step seven
Spoon batter into the donut pan (E) and bake for 11 – 13 minutes. (F)
This recipe makes 8 donuts, and since I don’t need to own two donut pans, I bake the last two donuts in a separate batch.
Step eight
Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing them to a wire cooling rack.
Step nine
I choose to make a simple glaze. Add 1 cup of confectioner’s sugar, 3 tablespoons of milk and 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla. Whisk together until combined.
Step ten
Dip one side of a cooling donut into the glaze. I do this with only half the donuts because we also like them plain.
I sprinkle chopped walnuts on a few and mini M & M’s on one. Guess who that one is for?
🙂
YUM!
Let’s get serious and plate a few.
And take a bite.
Perfect.
I hope you enjoyed this baked chocolate donut recipe!
Other breakfast ideas
And as always, may all your dishes be delish.
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Baked Chocolate Donuts
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 cup spelt flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (heaping)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Glaze
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/8 cup walnuts (for topping – or what you like)
Instructions
Making the Donuts
- Preheat oven to 350 F and spray donut pan with olive oil spray or other non stick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, add flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix until combined.1 cup spelt flour, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- In a small sauce pan, melt butter and chocolate bits on medium/low heat.3 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- Add sugar to chocolate/butter mix and stir.1/2 cup brown sugar
- In a small mixing bowl add egg, buttermilk and vanilla and whisk together.1 egg, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, mix with a spatula until just combined.
- Scoop some batter into the donut pan, filling each mold 3/4 full. Bake for 11 – 13 minutes. Test with a cake tester.
- Let cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing and placing donuts on wire rack.
Make glaze
- In a small mixing bowl, add confectioner’s sugar, milk and vanilla and whisk until combined1 cup confectioner’s sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Dip the Donuts
- Dip some cooling donuts into the glaze and sprinkle nuts or other toppings on top.1/8 cup walnuts
- Leave a few plain, just because
- Eat
- Enjoy
Would you like to save this recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Don't worry, I promise not to spam you.
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
Helpful tips
- I use sprouted spelt flour but if you don’t have it, you can substitute it with either whole wheat or all purpose white flour.
- Ditch your popular brand of cooking spray and use the healthier version – olive oil cooking spray.
- Here is the donut pan I use.
- I’ve made these donuts many times and sometimes the batter is dryer than other times. That’s normal, it tastes the same.
- Ideas on toppings to dip the donuts: shredded coconut, small chocolate chips, small M & M’s, powdered sugar, cinnamon/sugar and chopped nuts.
Nutrition
Originally published June of 2016.
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
Mmmm. Chocolate donuts! Looks delicious!
Thanks so much Joyce!
Baked donuts are the best. So much better than fried. Love all the chocolate….I know a few people that will devour these (for breakfast) LOL!!
Hehe. Thanks Gloria! I’m all about the chocolate.
This baked chocolate donuts recipe is a keeper. Those were some of the best doughnuts I have had in ages. I will be sharing this recipe link with my friends!
Yay! That’s so nice of you Heidy! I’m glad you enjoyed them.
I bought spelt flour some time ago thinking I’d make some bread or do something with it. Your recipe inspired me to try it with these chocolate donuts. WOW! Were they ever delish. So satisfying, sweet, and the best part they weren’t fried. I’m making some more tomorrow and taking them over to my daughter’s house for her and her family.
I’m so happy to hear that Marisa! I’m glad you tried this recipe and enjoyed it. It’s one of my favs!
I’m with you! Fried are okay every now and then but I feel so blah afterwards. These look much better! And hey… spelt! I thought I was the only one posting recipes with spelt. 😉
Don’t you just love spelt flour! It’s our favorite! Thanks for your comment Erin, I appreciate it.
These are so easy to make and look incredibly tasty as well! Can’t wait to try
Thanks so much Marwin!
I love a good donut, and these look easy to make! Pretty!
Thank you Paige. I appreciate it.
Love a good donut, especially when it is chocolate. I would make this again not only for the taste, but I also prefer baked donuts over fried.
Working with spelt flour is like a cross between all purpose and whole wheat. I love it and use it in a lot of my baked goods. Thank you LaKita.
A keeper donut recipe! I was searching for a good donut recipe that I could bake instead of fry – just found it! I hope mine turns out as good and pretty as yours!
Thank you Tatiana! I appreciate it. I love how easy these donuts are.
Omg these donuts look amazing! Chocolate is my favourite flavour so I am pretty excited to try this! Also love how that can bake them. So much healthier than deep frying.
Definitely. Thank you Sam! I hope you get to try them!
Your baked doughnuts look perfect! I love that you have used spelt flour. And I couldn’t agree more, doughnuts are so delicious – wish that I too could get away with eating them everyday!!
Me too Jagruti, but my thighs would not thank me. 😉 Thank you for your comment.
You had me at baked. Looks perfect. Healthy way to indulge for my sweet tooth cravings.
Hehe. Indeed. Thank you Jo!