Double Chocolate Cake Donuts
Are you ready to sink your teeth into a decadent treat that combines the rich, luscious flavor of chocolate with the delightful texture of a donut? Look no further than these Double Chocolate Cake Donuts. With their soft, cake-like interior and a glossy chocolate glaze, these donuts are the perfect indulgence for breakfast or a sweet afternoon snack. What’s more, they’re surprisingly easy to whip up at home! So roll up your sleeves and let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Keep Making It
These Double Chocolate Cake Donuts are not just a one-time treat; they are destined to become a staple in your baking repertoire. Here’s why you’ll keep coming back to this recipe:
- Rich Chocolate Flavor: The combination of dark brown sugar and cocoa powder creates a deep, delightful chocolate flavor that chocolate lovers will adore.
- Quick and Easy: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these donuts can be made in under an hour, from mixing to glazing.
- Customizable: Feel free to personalize your donuts with different toppings or mix-ins, like nuts or flavored extracts.
- Perfect for Sharing: These donuts make an excellent treat for gatherings, parties, or simply to brighten someone’s day.
What to Buy
Before you dive into making these delightful donuts, here’s a quick shopping list to ensure you have everything you need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup milk (chocolate almond milk or regular cow’s milk)
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder (for the glaze)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (more if needed)
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles (optional)
Equipment & Tools
Gather your kitchen essentials to prepare for this delightful baking adventure:
- Mixing Bowls: For combining dry and wet ingredients.
- Whisk: To ensure a smooth batter.
- Donut Pan: Essential for shaping your donuts perfectly.
- Cooling Rack: To allow your donuts to cool evenly after baking.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
- Spatula: For folding and transferring the batter.
Directions: Double Chocolate Cake Donuts
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the perfect temperature for baking moist donuts.
Step 2: Prepare the Donut Pan
Lightly grease your donut pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, salt, cocoa powder, and baking powder until well combined. This will ensure that your dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 4: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the egg, melted unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and chocolate almond milk until smooth. Be sure to use room temperature milk and egg for a better emulsion.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense donuts.
Step 6: Fill the Donut Pan
Using a piping bag or a spoon, fill each donut cavity about three-quarters full with batter. This will allow space for the donuts to rise without overflowing.
Step 7: Bake the Donuts
Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Cool the Donuts
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer the donuts to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Step 9: Make the Glaze
In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until the mixture reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. If it’s too thick, add a little more heavy cream until you achieve your desired consistency.
Step 10: Glaze the Donuts
Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the tops into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the glazed donuts back onto the cooling rack.
Step 11: Add Sprinkles (Optional)
While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle rainbow sprinkles generously on top for a festive touch!
International Equivalents
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: 120 grams
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar: 100 grams
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder: 25 grams
- 1/4 cup heavy cream: 60 ml
- 1/2 cup milk: 120 ml
Slip-Ups to Skip
- Don’t skip greasing the donut pan, or you’ll end up with a sticky mess!
- Be careful not to overmix your batter; this can lead to tough donuts instead of soft and fluffy ones.
- Make sure your donuts are completely cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting.
- Adjust the consistency of your glaze gradually; it’s easier to add more cream than to fix a runny glaze!
Meal Prep & Storage Notes
If you want to get a head start on your baking, you can prepare the donut batter in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just make sure to bring it back to room temperature before baking. Once baked, these Double Chocolate Cake Donuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. If you’d like to keep them longer, consider freezing them; just be sure to glaze them after thawing!
Helpful Q&A
Can I use gluten-free flour in this recipe?
Yes! You can substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The texture might vary slightly, but they should still be delicious.
What can I substitute for dark brown sugar?
If you don’t have dark brown sugar on hand, you can use light brown sugar or even granulated sugar, but the flavor will be less rich.
How can I make these donuts even more chocolatey?
For an extra chocolate kick, you can add chocolate chips to the batter or use a chocolate frosting instead of the glaze!
Can I bake these donuts in a regular muffin tin?
Absolutely! Simply adjust the baking time, as muffins will typically take a bit longer to bake than donuts. Start checking them at around 15-18 minutes.
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That’s a Wrap
With every bite of these Double Chocolate Cake Donuts, you’ll experience a melt-in-your-mouth sensation that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with friends, these donuts are sure to impress. So gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy the joy of homemade donuts that are perfect for any occasion. Happy baking!
Double Chocolate Cake Donuts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the perfect temperature for baking moist donuts.
- Lightly grease your donut pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, salt, cocoa powder, and baking powder until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the egg, melted unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and chocolate almond milk until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; be careful not to overmix.
- Using a piping bag or a spoon, fill each donut cavity about three-quarters full with batter.
- Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer the donuts to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth.
- Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the tops into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off.
- While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle rainbow sprinkles on top for a festive touch!
Notes
- Prepare the batter in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Store baked donuts in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
- For longer storage, freeze the donuts and glaze after thawing.
