For a delightful twist on traditional donuts, these Baked Chocolate Glazed Donuts offer a light and tender texture without the hassle of frying. Baked to perfection and dipped in a luscious chocolate glaze, these donuts are a fantastic treat for chocolate lovers, perfect for breakfast, dessert, or any special moment that deserves a little extra sweetness.
Irresistible Chocolate Flavor, Without the Frying!
Chocolate and coffee work together beautifully in this recipe, with a hint of espresso enhancing the rich cocoa notes. The best part? These donuts are baked, meaning less oil and mess while still giving you a moist and airy bite. The chocolate glaze brings everything together, adding a smooth finish that’s perfect for sprinkles, nuts, or just as is.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Glazed Donuts
These donuts are not only simple to make but offer a wonderfully rich flavor and texture, creating a treat that feels decadent without the fuss. No frying required, and they’re ready in less than 20 minutes!
- Rich Chocolate Taste: The combination of cocoa and espresso adds depth, making these donuts satisfyingly chocolatey.
- Baked, Not Fried: Skip the oil and frying mess with these oven-baked donuts, which are lighter but just as delicious.
- Quick & Easy Recipe: This recipe requires just a few basic ingredients, making it easy to whip up a batch anytime.
Whether you enjoy them with a morning coffee or serve them as a special dessert, these baked chocolate glazed donuts are a surefire hit for any occasion.
Ingredients for Baked Chocolate Glazed Donuts
Creating these delectable baked donuts is simple with a few staple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for rich chocolatey flavor and a smooth, glossy glaze:
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for our donuts, providing structure and a soft, tender texture.
- Granulated White Sugar: Sweetens the donuts and enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds a rich chocolate taste. For best results, choose high-quality cocoa powder for the deepest flavor.
- Instant Espresso Powder: Just a touch intensifies the chocolate without making the donuts taste like coffee. If preferred, you can skip this ingredient.
- Baking Powder: Helps the donuts rise and stay fluffy.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Wet Ingredients
- Buttermilk: Adds moisture, tenderness, and a slight tang that complements the chocolate flavor.
- Eggs (large): Provides structure and stability to the donuts, helping them rise beautifully.
- Butter (melted): Adds richness and a moist texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and enhances the chocolate flavors, creating a richer profile.
How to Make Baked Chocolate Glazed Donuts
Here’s the step-by-step guide for these mouthwatering baked donuts. The recipe is straightforward, making it perfect even for beginner bakers!
- Prepare the Donut Pan: Start by coating a donut baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This will ensure easy release after baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, instant espresso powder, baking powder, and salt. This evenly distributes the ingredients and prevents lumps.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients. Whisk until just combined, ensuring a smooth batter. Avoid overmixing to keep the donuts light and tender.
- Fill the Donut Pan: Spoon the batter into each donut well, filling about two-thirds full. Using a piping bag makes this easier and results in more uniform donuts.
- Bake the Donuts: Place the filled pan in a preheated oven at 425°F. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when touched. Avoid overbaking to keep them moist.
- Cool the Donuts: Let the donuts rest in the pan for 4 to 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
Making the Chocolate Glaze
The rich chocolate glaze adds an extra layer of indulgence, making each bite even more satisfying. Follow these steps for a perfectly glossy finish:
- Heat the Cream: In a small saucepan, warm the heavy cream over low heat until it just starts to simmer. Be careful not to boil it.
- Add the Chocolate: Turn off the heat and add your chocolate to the cream, stirring until fully melted and smooth. The result should be a thick, glossy glaze.
- Dip & Decorate: Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Decorate with your favorite sprinkles, nuts, or other toppings while the glaze is still tacky.
These donuts are a delicious, chocolatey treat that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying all to yourself!
Baking Time for Perfect Chocolate Glazed Donuts
Baking these donuts is quick and easy, but for the best results, keep an eye on the timing. Since they’re baked, not fried, they only need a few minutes in the oven to achieve a soft, airy texture with just the right amount of moisture.
- Baking Temperature: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Baking Time: Bake for 8 to 9 minutes. They’re done when the tops spring back gently to the touch. Overbaking will dry them out, so keep them soft by sticking to this brief baking time.
After baking, allow the donuts to cool slightly in the pan for 4 to 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely before adding the chocolate glaze. This helps keep the glaze smooth and prevents it from melting off the donuts.
Storing Baked Chocolate Glazed Donuts
Proper storage is essential to keep your donuts fresh and delicious. Follow these tips for storing them, whether you’re planning to enjoy them later in the day or a few days down the line:
- Room Temperature: Store donuts at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. This keeps them soft and prevents the glaze from hardening.
- Refrigerator: If you prefer a slightly firmer texture, you can refrigerate them for up to 4 days. Place them in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Freezer: Donuts can be frozen without the glaze for up to 3 months. Wrap each donut tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature, and add fresh glaze if desired.
Additional Tips for the Best Chocolate Glazed Donuts
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: Always let the donuts cool entirely on a wire rack before glazing to ensure the glaze sticks well without melting off.
- Use High-Quality Cocoa Powder: The cocoa powder impacts flavor significantly, so choose a high-quality brand for a richer chocolate taste.
- Piping Bag for Easy Filling: For a clean and even fill, use a piping bag to fill each donut cavity. It makes the process quick and minimizes mess.
- Experiment with Toppings: Once glazed, feel free to sprinkle chopped nuts, desiccated coconut, or colorful sprinkles on top for an extra-special touch.
Baked Chocolate Glazed Donuts
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
Description
Rich, chocolatey, and wonderfully easy to make, these Baked Chocolate Glazed Donuts are the ultimate treat for any chocolate lover. Baked to perfection in minutes, then dipped in a glossy chocolate glaze, they’re perfect for breakfast, dessert, or anytime you want a quick homemade indulgence without frying.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Coat a donut baking pan with cooking spray.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: To the dry mixture, add buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until just smooth, being careful not to overmix.
- Fill Donut Pan: Spoon or pipe the batter into each donut well, filling about ⅔ full for even baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 8 to 9 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when gently touched.
- Cool: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 4 to 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Glaze: While the donuts cool, heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just begins to simmer (avoid boiling). Remove from heat, add the chopped chocolate, and stir until fully melted and smooth.
- Dip & Decorate: Dip the top of each cooled donut in the chocolate glaze. Decorate with sprinkles, nuts, or toppings of your choice.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze (without glaze) for up to 3 months.
- Make-Ahead Tip: The batter can be prepared and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Glaze Variations: For a twist, add a few drops of mint or orange extract to the glaze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-9 minutes