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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!

Close up of chocolate donuts with sprinkles on a cake stand

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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?


chocolate donut recipe ingredients in bowls on white wood background

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)
chocolate chips in a bowl surrounded by butter, cream, and a small whisk

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

How to Make Baked Chocolate Donuts, Step by Step

Close up of sprinkled chocolate donuts on plate with blue background

Now that you have all of your ingredients, it’s time to get baking! To begin, preheat your oven to 375°F and prepare your donut pan.

Melted butter and other ingredients in glass bowl on white background with sprinkles

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.

Adding espresso to chocolate donut recipe in mixing bowl

Next, dissolve the espresso powder in hot water and add this mixture to the batter. Stir until well combined.

White flour in mixing bowl with whisk on white wood background

Whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl (medium bowl).

chocolate donut batter in mixing bowl with wire whisk on white background with sprinkles

Now, it’s time to add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and we’re also going to add the buttermilk at this time. Alternate between adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk into the wet ingredients, and mix until thoroughly combined.

Close up of using a piping bag to pipe donut batter into pan

Once everything is mixed together, spoon the batter into a piping bag and pipe it evenly into each well of the donut pan. Or, you could also choose to carefully spoon the batter into each well instead of using a piping bag.

freshly piped chocolate donut batter in donut pan before baking

Bake the donuts for about 10 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few loose crumbs.

Baked chocolate donuts on a wire cooling rack

After the donuts have baked, allow the baked donuts to cool in the pan for about five minutes before removing them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

chocolate chips in a bowl surrounded by butter, cream, and a small whisk

While the baked donuts are cooling, make the chocolate ganache glaze. Get your chocolate chips, butter, and heavy cream ready.

Pouring cream from a pitcher into bowl of melted chocolate for ganache

Place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a medium bowl and microwave them in 30 seconds increments until they are evenly melted and smooth. Stir in the melted butter until the texture is silky and smooth.

Hand dipping a chocolate donut in chocolate ganache icing

Once the baked donuts are cool, dip the tops of each baked donut in the chocolate ganache glaze and place them on a cooling rack lined with parchment paper or a baking sheet to catch any dripping glaze.

Fresh dipped iced chocolate donut in hand
Chocolate donuts with rainbow sprinkles on wire rack

If you’re using sprinkles, add them before the icing hardens. If the glaze is taking too long to set, place the chocolate donuts in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to allow the chocolate ganache to set.

Chocolate donuts with rainbow and chocolate sprinkles on wire cooling rack

YUM!


Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Donuts

Overhead shot of sprinkled chocolate donuts on lacy white plate and cake stand

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.

Close up of hand holding chocolate frosted donut with sprinkles

What type of chocolate should I use for ganache? Chocolate bar or chocolate chips?

You may use either chocolate chips or a chocolate bar. It really doesn’t make much difference. If you are using a chocolate bar, make sure it is chopped into small pieces so that it melts evenly.

Chocolate donut with a missing bite in front of a small jar of milk with a striped straw on blue background

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.

Close up of sprinkled chocolate donuts on plate with blue background

I Don’t Have a Microwave. How else can I make chocolate ganache?

You can make our rich and creamy chocolate ganache in a double boiler on the stovetop, melting the chocolate, cream, and butter over medium-low heat.


Print the Baked Chocolate Donuts Recipe Here:

One chocolate donut with chocolate icing and rainbow sprinkles on white wood background

These really are the BEST baked chocolate donuts! Make these for birthdays, holidays, and special events (you’re sure to get a LOT of people asking for your recipe!) for a surefire hit!

Close up of chocolate donuts with sprinkles on a cake stand

Baked Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Ganache Icing

Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Dessert
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 10 minutes
Cooling Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yields: 12 donuts

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.
Did You Make This?Mention @HeidiKundin or tag #hihmakersclub on Instagram to show off your awesome work! ♥

Close up of four chocolate donuts with chocolate icing and sprinkles on a white plate

This chocolate donut recipe is SO delicious and easy to make, and it’s sure to satisfy your chocolate cravings! We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below how yours turned out. And, don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family!

Happy baking!

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Check Out These Other Donut Recipes and Craft Ideas!


Don’t Forget to Pin This Chocolate Donut Recipe for Later!

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