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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast » Chocolate Frosted Donuts

    PUBLISHED: November 18, 2022 • By Toni Dash 7 Comments

    Chocolate Frosted Donuts

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    chocolate frosted donuts on a white serving plate.

    Rich Chocolate Donuts with chocolate frosting; what could be better for a chocolate lover? Skip the local donut shop and make these moist cake donuts. Super easy to top with lots of different toppings. This donut recipe is for a baked donut; no yeast donuts, no hot oil or frying required. Easy recipe.

    chocolate frosted donuts on a white serving plate.

    Homemade donuts don’t have to be hard. This chocolate cake donut recipe proves that! You only need a doughnut pan!

    These cakey donuts have a rich chocolate glaze that rival anything from Dunkin’ Donuts! Make chocolate glazed donuts once and they’ll become a favorite recipe for a surprise treat or weekend breakfast.

    Jump to:
    • Recipe Ingredient Notes
    • How to make Chocolate Baked Donuts
    • Variations
    • Expert Tips
    • How to store
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More recipes you’ll love!
    • Recipe

    Recipe Ingredient Notes

    chocolate frosted donuts labelled ingredients.

    All purpose flour. Regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend can be used. For gluten-free baking we use and recommend Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 flour blend.

    Unsweetened cocoa powder. Don’t use sweetened cocoa powder (the type used for making hot chocolate for instance).

    Kosher salt. This type of salt has better flavor and a less salty flavor.

    Unsalted butter. You’ll need 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, melted.

    Powdered sugar. This will be used for the glaze. Sift out or remove any large or hard clumps before making the glaze.

    Milk. This will be used in the glaze. We used whole dairy milk but any type of milk will work. If using plant milk choose one with a neutral flavor.

    chocolate glazed donuts with milk bottle.

    How to make Chocolate Baked Donuts

    STEP 1. Preparation

    Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray (photo 1).

    STEP 2. Make the donut batter

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt (photo 2).

    Using an electric hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix in the wet ingredients until combined: milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract (photo 3).

    chocolate frosted donuts recipe steps 1-4.

    STEP 3. Pipe the batter

    Pour the batter into a Ziploc bag (photos 4-5), close the top and snip off the corner of the bag (photo 6). Squeeze/pipe the batter into each of the donut cavities, filling ¾ of the way full (photos 7-8).

    chocolate frosted donuts recipe steps 5-8.

    STEP 4. Bake & Cool

    Bake for 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean (photo 9). Cool for a few minutes while in the pan and then move to a cooling rack (photo 10).

    chocolate frosted donuts recipe steps 9-12.

    STEP 5. Glaze

    Prepare the glaze while the donuts are cooling.

    In a large bowl, sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder together (photo 11). Add the milk and vanilla extract, whisk until full combined (photo 12). The glaze needs to be thin enough to dip and coat the donuts, if it’s too thick then add a little bit more milk to thin it out (photo 13 shows the desired consistency).

    chocolate frosted donuts recipe steps 13-16.

    Dip one of the donuts face down into the chocolate glaze (photo 14), shake off the excess and place onto a cooling rack while the chocolate sets. Continue doing this with the remaining donuts. (This is the step to decorate the donuts with a sprinkle, candy, or whatever they would like photo 15). Allow the donuts to sit for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate sets (photo 16).

    chocolate frosted donuts with sprinkles on plate.

    Variations

    Add a topping to the glaze. Dress up your chocolate frosted donuts with a topping on the glaze! Add one of the following to the tops of the donuts after glazing the donuts before the glaze sets:

    • shredded coconut
    • M&Ms
    • sprinkles
    • chopped nuts
    • peanut butter baking chips
    • mini chocolate chips
    • crushed cookies
    • crushed candies (candy canes, peppermints or other candies)
    • chopped candy bars (Snickers, Health bars)
    • cereal (smores cereal is a favorite on a chocolate glaze!)
    • mini marshmallows
    chocolate glazed donuts with sprinkles stacked.

    Expert Tips

    Easy trick to fill the plastic bag or piping bag. Place the plastic bag into a cup with the bottom of the bag facing down, fold the bag over the lip and it will hold it in place while pouring the batter

    Glazing easy clean up tip. Place a sheet of wax paper, parchment paper or foil under the wire rack to catch the drips.

    How to store

    The homemade donuts are best eaten the day they are made. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days. 

    chocolate glazed donuts with sprinkles halved.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can these chocolate baked donuts be frozen?

    Yes. Allow the donuts to cool fully and do not glaze. Store in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, bring to room temperature and glaze as instructed.

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    Recipe

    Chocolate Frosted Donuts (baked donuts)

    Moist cakey Chocolate Donuts with a rich chocolate glaze and optional toppings (sprinkles or other toppings) are easy to make and a great treat or breakfast surprise any time!
    5 from 94 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Cooling and glazing time (estimated): 30 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 9 donuts
    Calories: 227kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Equipment

    donut pan
    Donut pan (metal)
    silicone donut pan
    Donut pan (silicone)

    Ingredients

    Chocolate baked donuts

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend
    • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon milk
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Chocolate Glaze

    • 2 cups powdered sugar any lumps sifted out
    • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ¼ cup milk plus a little more if needed
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
      1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • Using an electric hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together in the milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
      1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon milk, 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Pour the batter into a Ziploc bag, close the top and snip off the corner of the bag.
      Squeeze the batter into each of the donut pan cavities, filling each ¾ of the way full.
    • Bake for 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
      Cool for a few minutes while in the pan and then move to a cooling rack.

    Prepare the glaze while the donuts cool

    • Using a large mixing bowl, sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add the milk and vanilla extract, whisk until full combined.
      2 cups powdered sugar, 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ¼ cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • The glaze needs to be thin enough to dip and coat the donuts, if it’s too thick then add a little bit more milk to thin it out.
    • Dip one of the donuts face down into the chocolate glaze, shake off the excess back into the bowl and place onto a cooling rack (glazed side up) while the chocolate sets.
    • Repeat for the remaining donuts. If adding a topping, add it now (see notes below).
      Allow the donuts to sit for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate sets.

    Notes

    Expert Tips
    Filling the plastic bag with glaze. Place the bottom of the bag into a drinking glass and fold the top over the outside of the glass. This will hold the bag in place making it easy to fill with glaze.
    Easy clean up tip. Place a sheet of wax paper or foil underneath the cooling rack to catch any glaze drips while the donuts set.
    Topping ideas
    Add one of the following to the tops of the donuts after glazing the donuts before the glaze sets:
    • shredded coconut
    • M&Ms
    • sprinkles
    • chopped nuts
    • peanut butter baking chips
    • mini chocolate chips
    • crushed cookies
    • crushed candies (candy canes, peppermints or other candies)
    • chopped candy bars (Snickers, Health bars)
    • cereal (smores cereal is a favorite on a chocolate glaze!)
    • mini marshmallows
    How to store
    The donuts are best eaten the day they are made. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 227kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 142mg | Potassium: 158mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 97IU | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
    « Homemade Breakfast Sausage
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Comments

    1. Macie says

      January 25, 2023 at 12:00 pm

      5 stars
      OMG, Chocolate donuts are my love language! This is my new favorite recipe!!! I made a batch this morning and my family devoured them. I guess I need another batch for tomorrow!

      Reply
    2. Kim says

      November 21, 2022 at 9:18 am

      5 stars
      The whole family loved these donuts. Nothing beats a frosted chocolate donut in my book and this recipe is a real winner.

      Reply
    3. Teresa s says

      November 18, 2022 at 12:05 pm

      5 stars
      The best donuts ever! I’m planning on making these again this weekend!

      Reply
    4. Jenine says

      November 18, 2022 at 8:09 am

      5 stars
      I’ve had a donut pan forever and have never used it. After making these it’s going to get alot of exercise lol. These were really good and I love the ideas of how to change them.

      Reply
    5. Steven says

      November 18, 2022 at 8:02 am

      5 stars
      I had no idea donuts were so easy to make at home or so good! Thanks for the great recipe.

      Reply
    6. Jen says

      November 18, 2022 at 7:47 am

      5 stars
      My kids devoured a whole batch of these donuts in one sitting!! So good! and I love how easy it is to make!

      Reply
    7. dana says

      November 18, 2022 at 7:45 am

      5 stars
      Love that these aren’t fried and they are JUST as good! My 3 year old loves donuts and loves helping out in the kitchen, so this was a huge treat for him, from the experience down to the result 🙂

      Reply

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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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