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If you are looking for a recipe for Baked Chocolate Donuts, then this is the recipe you need. If you are wanting to have a classic donut recipe on hand for those mornings when you are craving something sweet, then this is the one to have. These donuts are moist, covered in chocolate frosting, and are simply delicious! Whether you are enjoying them for brunch, breakfast, or for a mid-day snack with your coffee, doughnuts are really simple to make, and I think once you make these homemade treats at home, you will definitely want to make them again.
How to Make Baked Chocolate Donuts From Scratch
One of the great thing about donuts is that they are great anytime of the day and year. Regardless if you have a sugar craving morning, noon, or night, there isn't a bad time to enjoy one of these sweet treats.
If you are looking for other breakfast recipes to enjoy with your family, whether they are team savory or team sweet, we have a few that we think they will love; such as our Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits and our Sausage Gravy and Biscuits.
Why Make This Recipe
Versatile - you can change our the sprinkles and frosting flavor.
Easy - this can be made in no time.
Baked - you won't be using hot oil to make these.
Moist - thanks to the applesauce.
Expert Tips, Ingredient List and Suggestions for Recipe Success
At the bottom of this post, you will find a complete breakdown of the recipe instructions and ingredients in the printable recipe card.
Flour - make sure to use all-purpose flour and to use the scoop with a spoon and level with a knife method.
Cocoa powder - this has to be unsweetened.
Applesauce - so that you can control the sweetness of this recipe, make sure that it's unsweetened.
Salt - use kosher or sea salt. Do not use regular table salt. That is only for seasoning at the table.
Do you need a donut pan?
Nope! If you don't have an actual donut pan, just use a muffin tin and use some aluminum foil. Cut the foil into a small square and roll the foil around your finger and then place the foil into the muffin tin. Then pipe the batter around the balls.
However, if you are looking into getting one, a silicone like the one used to make these donuts are a great idea! They make making these donuts a breeze!
Do you need a deep fryer?
No, not at all! You can deep fry them in oil that's been heated in a deep pot on your stove top, or you can bake them in your oven.
Can you make your own chocolate glaze?
Yes, just melt your favorite melting chocolate over a double-boiler and dip the donuts into the chocolate.
Should I refrigerate leftovers?
For best results, store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
Step by Step Directions
I have provided a few in-process photos for your reference below.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2: Lightly spray two 6-count donut pans with cooking spray and set them aside.
Step 3: In a large bowl, add in the dry ingredients: the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and baking powder. Then whisk everything together.
Step 4: In another bowl, add in the wet ingredients: the unsweetened almond milk, the egg, and the unsweetened applesauce and whisk the ingredients together until everything is well combined.
Step 5: Then pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir together just until the mixture is just wet. Do not overmix.
Step 6: Place the batter into a piping bag with a tip or into a plastic bag with a cut off end.
Step 7: Pipe the batter into the donut pan. You will only want to fill each hole about it's about ½ full. Do not over fill.
Step 8: Bake the donuts for 8 to 10 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean.
Step 9: Allow the donuts to cool for 3 to 5 minutes before removing them from the donut pan.
Step 10: While the donuts are cooling, place a silicone mat or a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and place a baking rack on top.
Step 11: Then place 4 to 5 tbsp. of chocolate frosting into a microwave-safe bowl and heat the frosting for 15 seconds and stir. Then place back into the microwave and heat for an additional 8 seconds if the frosting is not completely melted.
Step 12: Next, dip the top of each donut into the melted frosting and allow the excess to drip back into the bowl.
Step 13: Place the frosted donut onto the backing rack and top with sprinkles or your favorite toppings. Allow the frosting to harden. Then enjoy!
Related Recipes
Baked Strawberry Donuts with Lemon Glaze
Homemade Baked Chocolate Donuts
Equipment
- Donut pan
- Piping bag with tip/Ziploc bag
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 t. baking powder 1
- ¼ t. kosher salt
- 1 large egg at room temp
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 4 tbsp. chocolate frosting
- Sprinkles (any combination)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Lightly spray two 6-count donut pans with cooking spray and set them aside.
- In a large bowl, add in the dry ingredients: the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and baking powder. Then whisk everything together.
- In another bowl, add in the wet ingredients: the unsweetened almond milk, the egg, and the unsweetened applesauce and whisk the ingredients together until everything is well combined.
- Then pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir together just until the mixture is just wet. Do not overmix.
- Place the batter into a piping bag with a tip or into a plastic bag with a cut off end
- Pipe the batter into the donut pan. You will only want to fill each hole about it’s about ½ full. Do not over fill.
- Bake the donuts for 8 to 10 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow the donuts to cool for 3 to 5 minutes before removing them from the donut pan.
- While the donuts are cooling, place a silicone mat or a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and place a baking rack on top.
- Then place 4 to 5 tbsp. of chocolate frosting into a microwave-safe bowl and heat the frosting for 15 seconds and stir. Then place back into the microwave and heat for an additional 8 seconds if the frosting is not completely melted.
- Next, dip the top of each donut into the melted frosting and allow the excess to drip back into the bowl. Place the frosted donut onto the backing rack and top with sprinkles or your favorite toppings. Allow the frosting to harden. Then enjoy!
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