I’ve been craving donuts in a major way just about every single weekend for the last month. We live within walking distance of two Dunkin’ Donuts (they’re seriously everywhere up here), so it wasn’t helping that I have to drive by them every time I leave the house. I talked myself out of stopping on so many occasions.
Finally I made a deal with myself – if you make them yourself, you can have donuts. I do this a lot actually when I’m craving sweets. It’s a test of just how strong the craving is, do I *really* want to get in the kitchen and spend the time to bake? And even when the answer is yes, I rarely eat as much of whatever it is I’ve made as I would if I’d gone out and bought it. Totally weird, or do you guys ever do that too?
I took a shortcut with these baked donuts. A yeasted version – fried and topped with a rich chocolate glaze – would have been awesome, but I had neither the time nor, more importantly, the motivation to make it happen. And truthfully, I really like baked donuts. I know there are those who say they’re not real donuts, but they always satisfy my craving and from start to finish they take less than 30 minutes. How can that be a bad thing?
These chocolate donuts are super tender, and definitely not short on chocolate flavor, especially with the glaze on top. I went with a thin ganache-like glaze so as not to overwhelm the donuts, and they wound up absorbing a little bit of it, which I loved. You could definitely do a thicker, more frosting-like topping if you’d rather. Just don’t forget the sprinkles, whatever you do π
Baked Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Glaze
donuts from Shugary Sweets, glaze from Baking Illustrated
Donuts
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
Glaze
2 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/4 cup half and half
1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Preheat oven to 325 F. Spray two donut pans with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a medium measuring cup, whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla and butter until combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and mix just until uniform.
Transfer the batter to a large resealable plastic bag and cut one of the corners off. Fill each well of the pan about 3/4-full (you don’t have to put the batter in a bag, I just think it makes it much easier and neater). Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when lightly pressed. Transfer the pans to a wire rack and let the donuts cool for just a minute or two, then turn them out onto the racks to cool completely.
To make the glaze: Add the chocolate to a heatproof bowl (make sure it’s wide enough to dip the donuts in). Bring the half and half to a simmer in a small saucepan, then pour over the chocolate. Let sit for a minute, then whisk until the chocolate is melted. Add the confectioners’ sugar and whisk until the glaze is smooth.
When the donuts are cool, dip one side of each into the glaze. Allow the excess to drip off, then place back on the wire racks (put a sheet of parchment or wax paper below the rack to catch any drips). Top the donuts with sprinkles, if desired. Let the glaze set before serving.
Makes about 10 donuts
I have never commented here before, but I just had to say that I completely understand about not wanting to eat as much of what you made yourself. As soon as it’s done baking I will eat a piece and then give it to the neighbors. I’m so glad I’m not the only one!
Oh! My! Why!! Do you do this to me. DONUTS!! I have been wanting to make some for ages and just never do. Thanks for this one, I think!!
These look great! We don’t eat donnuts very often, because it’s not something I normally buy. But the handful of times I have made the baked donuts, the kids have really enjoyed them. Bet they would like these, too! Once the kitchen is done…:-)
I miss Dunkin’ Donuts. There aren’t any in Utah! (Except inside the airport where I can’t get to..) And the closest ones in Las Vegas are HORRIBLE!
I need to learn how to make some doughnuts myself…
These look fantastic!! and they are healthy b/c they are baked, right! Love!
I was just craving donuts and thinking about making it this weekend but I totally need to make these tonight instead so I can devour like half a dozen tomorrow morning for breakfast!
And btw, I don’t have a Dunkin’ Donuts near me anymore. I used to live in NYC and we went there like every other day but now I can make your donuts and feel right at home π
Oooh they turned out gorgeous Tracey!!! YUM.
I always bake my donuts too – I just can’t be bothered with frying. I think baking is so much easier!
And your photos are especially gorgeous today!
These look awesome! I was half expecting to see a pic of Shane in his Ironman gear holding one doing a John Belushi imitation. “I logged a lot of miles training for that day…and I downed a lot of donuts!”
I’m seeing so many donut posts lately. It’s driving me insane because I’m having trouble choosing which ones to bake next. I have only made vanilla-type donuts, so maybe it’s time I make a chocolate one π
Mmm, I totally love a baked doughnut! I’d take these over a Dunkin one anyway! They look awesome!
looks fabulous lovely pictures
Awesome! I just bought a doughnut pan and have tried one recipe so far. This one is next on my list!
I *try* to make the same deal with myself but sometimes the grocery store bakery wins out. The same way I *try* to only let myself buy ice cream when it is on sale π
Oh man! My husband is a huge donut lover and would go bonkers over these beauties. They look awesome Tracey.
They look so tasty! I often do the same thing when I’m craving something sweet, challenge myself to bake it instead. It really does sort out the real cravings from the fleeting thoughts.
See, now you’ve started MY donut craving! π
These look amazing!! I’m definitely going to try them soon!
Man, you are killing me with toaster strudels and donuts! My breakfast tomorrow will sadly not be this exciting. I ALWAYS crave donuts but rarely buy them. And even more rarely, make them. I love the ieda of baking them…especially chocolate ones with chocolate glaze. I might be able to strike up a bargain with myself to be rewarded with making my own! π
Baked chocolate doughnuts! They looks perfect !
Baked doughnuts are still doughnuts in my opinion! These look wonderful.
Apparently you can read my mind, because I *just* said yesterday that i want to try to replicate a baked version of Dunkin’ Donuts chocolate glazed donuts at home. These look fantastic! I might use these as a jumping-off point + go from there. YUM!
These look amazing! I need to get some donut pans so I can try them!
I think there are 4 Dunkin’ Donuts within a 10-minute drive of my house. I never really crave Dunkin’, but I do crave doughnuts anytime I see one on a blog or in a catalog! I’m resisting the urge to buy a doughnut pan (I used to say only fried doughnuts were real doughnuts), but my resistance is wearing down. Partly due to looking at your doughnuts! π
Thank you for this recipe. I made them today and caused quite a stir on facebook with my photos. I ended up blogging about them they were so easy and delicious. I linked your page fr the recipe after many requests. Thanks again.
Wendy
you can see my results on http://www.fromlemonstolimoncello.blogspot.com
Can these be made in advance and eaten the next day?