Chocolate Frosted Baked Donuts Recipe
Prep Time
20 minutes
Bake Time
10–12 minutes
Cooling Time
20 minutes
Total Time
50 minutes
Yield
12 donuts
Ingredients
For the Baked Donuts
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup (180ml) buttermilk
- ¼ cup (60ml) whole milk
- ⅓ cup (75g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Frosting
- 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup (optional, for shine)
Optional Toppings
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Chocolate sprinkles
- Mini chocolate chips
- Crushed cookies
- Toasted coconut
- Chopped nuts
Equipment
- Donut pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Piping bag or zip-top bag
- Wire cooling rack
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 12-cavity donut pan with nonstick spray or lightly brush with melted butter.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Nutmeg
Set aside.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together:
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Whole milk
- Melted butter
- Vanilla extract
Whisk until smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Make the Batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Mix gently until just combined.
Do not overmix.
The batter should be thick and smooth.
Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan
Transfer the batter to a piping bag or large zip-top bag.
Cut off one corner and pipe the batter into each donut cavity.
Fill each cavity about ¾ full.
This helps the donuts bake evenly and maintain their classic shape.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly touched.
Avoid overbaking to keep the donuts soft and moist.
Remove from the oven and allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before frosting.
Making the Chocolate Frosting
Step 1: Heat the Cream
Place the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl.
Heat the heavy cream and butter in a small saucepan until steaming but not boiling.
Pour the hot mixture over the chocolate chips.
Let sit for 2 minutes.
Step 2: Stir Until Smooth
Whisk until completely smooth and glossy.
If using corn syrup, stir it in now.
The frosting should be thick enough to coat the donuts but still fluid enough for dipping.
Frost the Donuts
Once the donuts are completely cool:
- Dip the tops into the chocolate frosting.
- Lift and allow excess frosting to drip off.
- Place on a wire rack.
Immediately decorate with sprinkles or other toppings before the frosting sets.
Allow the frosting to firm up for about 15–20 minutes.
Tips for Perfect Baked Donuts
Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Room temperature eggs and dairy create a smoother batter and lighter texture.
Don’t Overmix
Overmixing develops gluten and can make the donuts dense.
Cool Completely Before Frosting
Warm donuts will melt the chocolate glaze and create a messy finish.
Pipe the Batter
Piping ensures evenly shaped donuts and prevents overfilling.
Flavor Variations
Double Chocolate Donuts
Add:
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the batter
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Drizzle melted peanut butter over the chocolate frosting.
Mocha Donuts
Add:
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder to the batter
Cookies and Cream
Top frosted donuts with crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.
Salted Chocolate
Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the frosting before it sets.
Storage
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator
Store for up to 5 days.
Bring to room temperature before serving.
Freezer
Freeze unfrosted donuts for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight and frost before serving.
Serving Suggestions
These Chocolate Frosted Baked Donuts pair beautifully with:
- Fresh coffee
- Hot chocolate
- Cold milk
- Espresso drinks
- Vanilla latte
- Fresh berries
