Chocolate Donuts
Skip the fryer and make these rich, chocolatey baked donuts that are soft, moist, and topped with a silky cocoa glaze. These Chocolate Donuts come together quickly with pantry staples and bake up beautifully in just 12 minutes—no deep-frying required!
Perfect for weekend breakfast, a cozy dessert, or a homemade brunch spread, these donuts are sure to become your go-to chocolate fix.
🌟 Why I Love This Recipe
There’s something so comforting about a fresh-baked donut—especially when it’s deeply chocolatey, tender on the inside, and topped with a sweet glaze. These baked donuts are lighter than their fried counterparts but still indulgent and satisfying. Plus, the batter is quick to whip up and bakes in just over 10 minutes. You’ll never want store-bought again.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup hot water
For the Chocolate Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
⏱️ Total Time: 15 minutes prep + 12 minutes baking
🍩 Yield: 12 baked donuts
🔁 Substitutions & Variations
- Milk: Use almond, oat, or soy milk for dairy-free.
- Oil: Melted butter or coconut oil can be used in place of vegetable oil.
- Add-ins: Stir in mini chocolate chips or a pinch of espresso powder for more richness.
- Toppings: After glazing, add sprinkles, shredded coconut, or crushed nuts.
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat & Prepare
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a donut pan with butter or non-stick spray.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
Set aside.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, beat together:
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Milk
- Oil
- Vanilla extract
Mix until smooth and well combined.
4. Combine Batter
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined.
Slowly pour in the hot water and stir gently—batter will be thin.
5. Fill the Pan
Carefully spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan cavities, filling each about ¾ full.
6. Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
🍫 Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Powdered sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
Mix until smooth and slightly thick.
7. Dip & Set
Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze.
Let set for a few minutes before serving. Add sprinkles or toppings while the glaze is still wet if desired.
💡 Tips for Donut Success
- Don’t overfill the donut pan or you’ll lose the classic hole shape.
- Use a piping bag or zip-top bag to fill the cavities cleanly.
- Let the donuts cool completely before glazing to avoid melting.
- For extra indulgence, double-dip in the glaze after the first layer sets.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
These chocolate donuts are perfect with:
- A glass of cold milk
- A hot cappuccino or Strawberry Mojito
- A side of Edible Cookie Dough for a dessert board vibe
Serve at:
- Brunches
- Birthday breakfasts
- Bake sales
- Anytime you need a donut moment
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months. Glaze after thawing.
- Make the glaze fresh for best texture and shine.
🍩 More Chocolate Treats You’ll Love
🥄 Final Thoughts
These Chocolate Donuts are the perfect solution when you’re craving something sweet, homemade, and deeply chocolatey—but don’t want to fuss with frying. Baked to fluffy perfection and topped with a glossy cocoa glaze, they deliver big flavor with minimal effort.
Tried them? Tag @chefmaniac on Instagram or leave a comment below—we’d love to see your donut magic! Don’t forget to subscribe for more easy bakes and chocolatey favorites.
