Irresistible Chocolate Cake Donuts Recipe
Imagine sinking your teeth into a chocolate donut that’s soft, cakey, and absolutely loaded with rich cocoa flavor. That’s the magic you get with the Irresistible Chocolate Cake Donuts Recipe. Whether it’s a cozy weekend treat or an impressive addition to your brunch spread, these donuts deliver all the joy of bakery-fresh delights right from your oven. With a glossy glaze and a double hit of chocolate, this easy-to-make recipe is destined to become a legendary favorite in your home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things refreshingly simple with a collection of ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Each one plays its own delicious part in creating the lush texture, deep flavor, and decadent glaze that defines every bite of the Irresistible Chocolate Cake Donuts Recipe.
- All-purpose flour: The perfect base for a tender, cakey donut structure without the fuss.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Provides intense chocolate flavor and a deep, tempting color.
- Granulated sugar: Lends sweetness and delicate crumb to the finished donuts.
- Brown sugar, packed: Adds a touch of moisture and subtle caramel notes.
- Baking powder: Gives the donuts their signature lift and fluffiness.
- Baking soda: Works alongside the baking powder for an even lighter bite.
- Salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Buttermilk, at room temperature: Contributes a gentle tang and extra-soft crumb—if you don’t have it, milk works too.
- Large eggs, at room temperature: Bind everything together while adding richness.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Brings tenderness and a truly luscious finish.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the chocolate notes with warmth and complexity.
- Hot water: Helps create a silky batter and brings out the cocoa’s full depth.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Give every bite pockets of gooey, melty chocolate joy.
- Powdered sugar: The foundation of that irresistible, sweet, and shiny donut glaze.
- Milk: Transforms powdered sugar into a perfectly pourable glaze.
- Vanilla extract (for glaze): Adds one final layer of cozy flavor to your finishing touch.
How to Make Irresistible Chocolate Cake Donuts Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Equipment
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s hot and ready for baking. Lightly grease your donut pan with nonstick spray or butter—this little step guarantees those beautiful donuts pop right out after baking, with perfectly shaped edges every time.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Give it all a whisk until the cocoa is evenly distributed and any clumps disappear. This step is the secret to an even, uniform chocolate flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Blend the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mixing these ingredients separately helps everything incorporate more smoothly once you unite the wet and dry bowls later on.
Step 4: Create the Donut Batter
Gradually pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. There’s no need to overmix—just work until you can’t see any more flour. Slowly add the hot water, stirring carefully until the batter becomes smooth and glossy. This addition makes the batter wonderfully light and easy to pipe or spoon.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, making sure they’re distributed throughout the batter for melty chocolate moments in every donut. This extra boost of chocolate is what takes the Irresistible Chocolate Cake Donuts Recipe to legendary status!
Step 6: Fill and Bake
Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean. The kitchen will smell so good, you’ll be counting down the seconds!
Step 7: Cool and Glaze
Let your donuts cool in the pan for at least 5 minutes, then transfer them gently to a wire rack. While they finish cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until your glaze is smooth and silky. Dip each cooled donut into the glaze, and return to the rack, letting the glaze set until it glistens temptingly.
How to Serve Irresistible Chocolate Cake Donuts Recipe
Garnishes
Once that shiny glaze sets, consider drizzling a little melted chocolate or sprinkling with chocolate shavings for next-level decadence. Crushed nuts, rainbow sprinkles, or even a pinch of sea salt can also highlight the depth of chocolate in each bite.
Side Dishes
The richness of the Irresistible Chocolate Cake Donuts Recipe pairs perfectly with a fresh fruit salad, tangy berries, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a more deluxe dessert. For breakfast or brunch, enjoy these donuts alongside your favorite coffee, café au lait, or even a frothy hot chocolate.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the donuts on a cake stand for a showstopping centerpiece, or stack them tower-style on a decorative cake plate. If you’re making these for a party, offer a donut-decorating station with bowls of fun toppings so everyone can personalize their own treat. For gifting, box up a few glazed donuts with a handwritten note for a sweet homemade surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow resist finishing these all in one sitting, keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The glaze will stay shiny and the donuts will remain soft, ready for whenever your chocolate craving returns.
Freezing
To freeze, let the donuts (unglazed) cool completely, then wrap them individually and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Glaze them fresh after reheating for the ultimate just-baked taste. Donuts keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Revive room-temperature or defrosted donuts with a few seconds in the microwave, or a quick warm-up in a 300°F oven. If you’ve frozen your donuts, let them thaw at room temperature before glazing and serving for the freshest flavor and texture.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe without a donut pan?
Absolutely! If you don’t have a donut pan, use a well-greased muffin tin and place a small foil ball in the center of each cavity to create a donut shape. You’ll get cute donut “bundtlets” with all the same deliciousness.
What can I use instead of buttermilk?
If you’re out of buttermilk, simply mix ½ cup of whole milk with 1 ½ teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes. It won’t be quite as tender, but the Irresistible Chocolate Cake Donuts Recipe will still be a hit.
Can I make these donuts gluten free?
Yes! Just substitute your favorite cup-for-cup gluten free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. Everything else remains the same, so you’ll get to enjoy chocolatey, gluten free treats without compromise.
How do I keep my donuts super moist?
The key is not overbaking them and making sure you don’t overmix the batter. The buttermilk and melted butter work hard in this recipe to keep each donut decadently soft—just follow the baking times and you’ll be rewarded!
Is it possible to make mini donuts with this recipe?
Certainly! Just use a mini donut pan and check for doneness a few minutes earlier, since smaller donuts bake fast. The Irresistible Chocolate Cake Donuts Recipe adapts beautifully to different sizes for a cute party platter.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for your next baking adventure, let this Irresistible Chocolate Cake Donuts Recipe win your heart (and your tastebuds). The rich cocoa flavor, dreamy glaze, and tender crumb make these donuts a total crowd-pleaser. There’s pure joy in baking a batch for yourself or sharing the love with family and friends—so give them a try, and get ready for chocolatey smiles all around!
Print
Irresistible Chocolate Cake Donuts Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the decadent delight of these Irresistible Chocolate Cake Donuts that are baked to perfection and glazed with a sweet vanilla icing. These moist and chocolaty donuts are a must-try for any dessert lover.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup hot water
Additional:
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, cocoa, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Mix buttermilk, eggs, butter, and vanilla.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add wet ingredients to dry; mix in hot water and chocolate chips.
- Bake: Fill donut pan and bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze; dip cooled donuts and let set.
Notes
- Opt for whole milk as a buttermilk substitute for a slightly different texture.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over glazed donuts for added richness.
- Best enjoyed fresh; store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
