Enjoy a delicious breakfast treat that is sure to satisfy any chocoholic's cravings with these baked Chocolate Donuts. Topped with even more chocolate and colorful sprinkles, this treat is sure to put a smile on your face in the morning.
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Whenever we visit a new city I love finding donut shops to visit. Having a good donut while on vacation is the best.
Since I am such a donut fan, I love making homemade baked donuts for special occasions. A few of our favorites are these orange donuts, apple cider donuts and blueberry filled donuts.
Why This Recipe Works
If you haven't had cake donuts then you are missing out. There are so many ways to make them. Since I love chocolate, I had to make a chocolate donut version.
These sweet baked donuts turned out absolutely amazing! They are moist and delicious with a cake-y crumb texture that melts in your mouth.
- Triple the Chocolate - Dark cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and a chocolate glaze makes these everything a chocolate lover will go wild for.
- Baked Not Fried - Traditional donuts are fried in oil, but this recipe is easy to bake in the oven.
- Sweet Breakfast Treat - The soft crumb texture goes perfectly with a cup of milk or a chocolate latte.
- Perfect for any Occasion - Sprinkles add a pop of color that you can match to any theme or event.
Not a chocolate fan? Try these funfetti donuts or blueberry key lime donuts in your donut pan.
Key Ingredients
This chocolate donut recipe is made with basic baking ingredients. Open your pantry and let's get baking.
- All Purpose Flour - Adds structure to the batter and gives the donuts a soft, cakey texture.
- Sugar - You will need a mixture of granulated sugar and brown sugar for this donut recipe.
- Butter - Adds flavor and richness to the batter.
- Egg - Makes the donuts soft and rich and binds the ingredients together.
- Greek Yogurt - Adds moisture to the dough and gives a soft texture to the baked donuts.
- Chocolate - Unsweetened cocoa powder, miniature chocolate chips, and Ghirardelli chocolate melting wafers add some serious chocolate flavor.
How to Make Chocolate Donuts
This baked chocolate donut recipe is quick and easy to make. A chocolate topping and fun sprinkles make the donuts so delicious and pretty.
Make the Batter
Step 1. Mix together the wet ingredients. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the vanilla extract, egg, and yogurt and mix again.
Step 2. Stir in the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa, nutmeg, and flour. Slowly beat the dry ingredients into the wet ones.
Step 3. Add the milk. Slowly mix in the milk to the thick dough making sure not to over mix the batter.
Step 4. Stir in the chocolate chips. Gently stir the mini chocolate chip into the batter.
Fill the Donut Pan
Step 5. Fill the donut pan. Spoon the batter into the greased pan or use a piping bag to gently squeeze the batter into the pan, filling them at least ¾ full.
Step 6. Bake and cool. Place the filled pan in the oven and bake for 9-10 minutes or until the tops spring back when pressed. Cool in the pan for a few minutes, before placing on a wire rack.
After 10 minutes use icing tip 1M to cut out the centers where the batter over baked. Cool completely.
Decorate the Donuts
Step 7. Dip the donuts in chocolate. Melt the chocolate according to the package directions. Dip the tops of the donuts in the melted chocolate and let set.
Step 8. Decorate with sprinkles. Melt the pink chocolate according to the package directions. Spoon into a ziplock bag and drizzle over one side of a few donuts.
Add sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet. Continue until all the donuts are done.
Storage Recommendations
These chocolate donuts are great on the day they are baked, but they taste even better the next day.
When they come out of the oven on the first day, they will be light like a muffin. Store them in a sealed container, and they will absorb the moisture from each other making them more dense.
On the Countertop - Place leftover donuts in an airtight container and keep on the counter at room temperature for 4-5 days.
In the Freezer - Before glazing, place any donuts you want to freeze in an airtight container and freeze for 1-2 months. Set the donuts on the counter top and bring to room temperature before glazing and adding sprinkles.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some of our favorite baking tips that will help you make the best chocolate donuts.
- Do NOT over mix the batter. This will cause the donuts to be tough and chewy.
- Use a piping bag or large ziplock bag to squeeze the batter neatly into the pan.
- Do not overfill the pan because the batter rises as it bakes. It will overflow if it is too full. Make sure you only fill them ¾ full for the best donut shape.
- If the donuts overflow and fill in the hole, use a large icing tip or a small paring knife to cut the centers out of the donut.
- Wipe out and respray the donut pan after every batch, so they do not stick.
- Use a good quality chocolate for the glaze. You want your topping to taste just as good as your donuts.
- Makes sure the donuts are completely cool before dipping them in chocolate or the glaze will melt off instead of setting.
- Do not over bake the donuts, or they will be crumbly. Dry crumbly donuts will make everyone sad!
Donut Toppings
You can top your chocolate cake doughnuts with a variety of different toppings. Your imagination is the limit! Here are a few of our favorites.
- Dark Chocolate Frosting
- Crumbled Oreos
- Chocolate Chips
- Shredded Sweetened Coconut
- Chopped Nuts
- Candies such as M&M, Reese's Pieces, or Butterfingers
Recipe FAQs
Fried donuts are cooked in oil and generally have a richer flavor. Baked donuts are cooked in an oven. Both are good but have a different taste.
If your donuts are dry they are most likely over baked. Or there is too much flour in the dough. Be sure to measure the flour properly.
If the donuts are sticking to the pan make sure the pan is clean and spray it with a non stick spray like Baker's Joy. Wipe it out in between batches too!
I use a Wilton donut pan for all of my traditional baked donuts.
No, this particular chocolate cake donut recipe is made to be baked. The batter will not hold up in hot oil.
More Homemade Donuts
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Recipe
Chocolate Donuts
Chocolate donuts with chocolate chips and a chocolate glaze will wake you up in the morning.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- â…“ cup packed brown sugar
- â…“ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- â…” cup plain Greek yogurt
- â…” cup milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ cup dark cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup miniature chocolate chips
- 1 - 10 ounce bag milk chocolate melting wafers
- ½ cup pink chocolate melting wafers
- white, brown, and pink sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°. Spray a donut pan with nonstick baking spray. Wipe out the excess spray.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the vanilla, egg, and yogurt and cream again.
- In a large bowl, stir together the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa, nutmeg, and flour.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and milk into the butter mixture and beat until everything is incorporated.
- Stir in the chocolate chips by hand. Spoon into donut cavities filling them at least ¾ full.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the tops spring back when pressed. Let cool in the pan for 3 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
- After 10 minutes use an icing tip 1M to cut out the centers where the batter over baked. Cool completely.
- Wipe the pan out completely and spray with nonstick spray again. Fill with more donut butter and repeat until finished.
- Melt the chocolate according to the package directions. Dip the tops of the donuts in the melted chocolate and add sprinkles. Let set. Store in a sealed container on the counter for 2-3 days.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 15 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 307Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 277mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 2gSugar: 22gProtein: 6g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for triple chocolate donuts was first published March 2013. The post was updated and republished March 2023.
Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate
Hi, Jocelyn! Happy National Donut Day to you! 😉 Stopping by to let you know that I featured your Triple Chocolate Donuts on my blog today: http://www.chattingoverchocolate.com/2013/06/a-bakers-dozen-ways-to-celebrate.html ... Thanks for sharing this scrumptious recipe!! Have a fabulous weekend!! 🙂
Paula B.
These not only look amazing but very do-able by the novice. Like others, I am soon going to be investing in that donut pan!
Jocelyn Brubaker
You won't regret the new pan!! I use mine all the time!!!
Michelle
I bought a donut pan a while ago because I saw so many recipes. But, just like the popcorn, I haven't tried it yet - sigh.
Jocelyn Brubaker
What are you waiting for??? I think you need some donuts and popcorn this week 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I love these -especially that they have the yogurt in them. AND all that chocolate. God forbid we ever get our kids together. We'd never find anything everyone liked to eat. 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker
hahaha! I think with all the sugary goodness that both of us bake, that we would be able to find something everyone would like!!! It just might not be the healthiest 🙂
Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke
i've never made donuts before, i need a pan!!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Oh girl! You should get a donut pan...they are so much fun to bake!!!!
Brenda @ChattingOverChocolate.blogspot.com
You had me at TRIPLE CHOCOLATE...and made my tummy grumble at "donuts" 😉 YUM YUM YUM!! Pinned 😉 Thanks for another delicious recipe, Jocelyn! Have a beautiful Easter!! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Brenda 🙂
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
Hey if pancakes are considered breakfast then donuts are TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE! Heehee 😀 At least in my book anyway. I love chocolate donuts and the sprinkles are absolutely adorable Jocelyn.
Enjoy your weekend!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
That is so very true! At least donuts are not dripping with syrup right? You and I are so on the same page about eating!!!
Brenda@SweetSimpleStuff
Chocolate donuts for breakfast ... YES! I want a glass of milk with mine ... then a cup of coffee. The tip of using the pastry bag to fill the pan is excellent 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker
Milk and then coffee...I like the way you think!
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry
I can always go for a donut! and these triple chocolate ones look amazing.
Jocelyn Brubaker
You and me both...especially ones with that much chocolate in them 🙂
Angie@Echoes of Laughter
Yum! These look so good Jocelyn! I love chocolate donuts! Have a great long weekend & Happy Easter! Angie xo
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Angie!
Vanessa
Yum! I love my donut pan. I don't know why I never thought of piping it with a bag. Duh!
Jocelyn Brubaker
The plastic bag just makes it so much easier 🙂
Julie
I need these donuts in my life. They'd make a perfect start to my mornings!
Jocelyn Brubaker
They do start the day off so much better!!!
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection
This recipe definitely qualifies as a great breakfast! And I almost thought you were going to say mornings seem to go so much better when you start out with chocolate. I like both of our ideas. And these donuts fit both ideas perfectly. I really need to invest in a donut pan! I'm splurging this weekend, so maybe I'll add a donut pan to my list of things to purchase. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Mornings do go much better when chocolate is involved 🙂 Donuts pans are a must have...I sure hope you splurged!!!
Laurie
I just showed this to my two sons and they are literally foaming at the mouth for these. Lucky for them, I have the Wilton donut pans and will be making them this weekend. I love the flower sprinkles... so Eastery. Can't wait to try this recipe... My chocolate loving husband and sons are going to go wild!
Jocelyn Brubaker
The Wilton pans are the best. I hope you have fun making and decorating the donuts!!! Let me know what you all think!!!
Laurie
I'm not a big chocolate lover, but they used one word to describe them... "Decadent" Everyone was happy and the donuts didn't last long.
Vicky
I have never tried making donuts before but you're making me want to add them to my must do list. I love the rainbow decorations you added on top of yours!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Vicky! Donuts are so easy, you should definitely give them a try!!!
Regina @ SpecialtyCakeCreations
I have nothing against chocolate for breakfast. No, I actually prefer it! Nutella after all is an acceptable breakfast spread, so chocolate donuts definitely should be too.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I am all about chocolate for breakfast too! And now I am thinking that Nutella donuts should be next on my list 🙂
Carol ( Answer Is Chocolate)
Oh I did not need to see these. But they're healthy with the yogurt so it's all good! College Boy went through his picky phase too . Got hungry enough and got over it.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I keep hoping he will get over it soon too 🙂 Good to know they eventually do! And yes, these have to be super healthy since it has yogurt in them!!! I like how you think!
carrian
oh man, our youngest is a picky punk. We have the rule that you eat what I make or don't eat. She's at least started taking a few bites, and if we add bbq sauce she will do meat. It's really, really annoying though.
Jocelyn Brubaker
We have that same rule in our house too! Some days he doesn't eat a whole lot, and I know he is probably hungry but he won't admit it!!! I'm hoping he will grow out of it soon!!!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos
Triple YUM! Ugh, those picky eaters get me every time - one week they like something and the next they don't...never a dull moment!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yeah...never a dull moment is right 🙂
Karly
These are gorgeous donuts! I've just perfected my chocolate donut recipe and now you're making me want to cheat on it already!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Now you have me needing to go check out your recipe 🙂