Classic Glazed Chocolate Cake Donuts you can make at home that actually taste like donuts, not just chocolate cake in donut form. Ready in just 30 minutes!
These donuts are just like the kind you'd get at a bakery. Just perfectly basic, not too sweet, moist, yet crumby baked chocolate donuts. But they are far from basic! They have a deep chocolate flavor and the crispy crackly sweet glaze on the outside gives them the extra sweetness they need. I love that these donuts are baked because the batter literally comes together in minutes and they're in the oven and on your table in under 30 minutes!
You will need a donut pan for this recipe but I promise you, once you buy one you will not be able to stop making ALLTHEDONUTS! Some of my other favorite donut recipes on my site are my cinnamon roll donuts and cinnamon sugar.
Why you'll love this recipe
- I LOVE this chocolate donut recipe because the batter comes together in minutes and they're in the oven and on your table in under 30 minutes!
- Most chocolate cake donuts just taste like chocolate cake in donut form. These actually taste like the slightly dense but moist classic glazed chocolate cake donuts you'd get from a bakery or donut shop.
- No frying = easier clean up and less mess!
Ingredient Notes
- Leavening agents: Baking soda and baking powder are both used.
- Sugar: Granulated, light brown and powdered sugar.
- Nutmeg: This is the secret ingredient that makes them taste more like donuts!
How to make chocolate cake donuts
- Whisk all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add wet ingredients and beat until mixture is smooth.
- Carefully pour batter into a resealable bag and cut a corner off to pipe into donut pan. Fill them no higher than ¾ of the way up so they don't bake over.
- Bake donuts for 12-13 minutes or until they are firm and spring back when you touch them.
- Invert donut pan and onto a cooling rack and allow donuts to cool off until cool enough to handle.
- For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, vanilla and milk one tablespoon at a time until thinned to desired consistency.
- Dunk donuts on both sides quickly and place on a wire rack to dry. Do a second coat if you want the glaze thicker.
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📋 Recipe
Glazed Chocolate Cake Donuts
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake Donuts
- 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch salt
- 8 tbs unsalted butter, melted
- 3 eggs
- 1 ½ cup milk
Glaze
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-4 tbs milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a donut pan very well.
For the donuts
- Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, both sugars, nutmeg and salt very well. Add melted butter, eggs and milk and beat until mixture is smooth.
- Carefully pour batter into a ziploc bag and cut a corner off to pipe into donut pan. Fill them no higher than ¾ of the way up so they don't bake over. Bake donuts for 12-13 minutes or until they are firm and spring back when you touch them. Pop them out of the donut pan and onto a cooling rack to cool until warm to the touch.
For the glaze
- Whisk powdered sugar, vanilla and milk one tablespoon at a time until thinned to desired consistency. Dunk donuts on both sides quickly and place on a wire rack to dry. Do a second coat if you want the glaze thicker. Best served immediately or the same day.
Notes
Nutrition
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Andi says
These were really good, nice and light not dense or too cakey which is what I was looking for! I’m going to save some of my batter and see if they cook up just as great tomorrow morning! Love them fresh! Great recipe!
Ashley says
Hi! These look absolutely delicious! I have a question though: How do you take your flour? Spoon and levelled or straight from the jar? Thanks!
Jessica says
It depends! Haha, honestly, I do both! I find that fluffing up the flour, scooping it in gently and leveling it off with my finger is the easiest for me!
Mahabir says
Can i make cupcakes with this recipe .
Mahabir says
Could I make cupcakes with this recipe?
Erin says
Can the donuts be made the night before, then glazed and served in the morning?
Jessica says
Yes! That is actually recommended because the texture with the glaze gets a little funky over night. It melts into the donut.
Liz says
Hi there! What is the best way to make these ahead of time? I want to make for my daughter's birthday on Saturday morning, but won't have time the day of. If I make them today, would it be best to freeze until Sat, store in fridge, or just on counter in an air-tight container?
Thanks!
Jessica says
I hope you came up with a solution, Liz!! So sorry for the late reply! I would have stored them unglazed in an air-tight container and glaze before serving or a few hours before.
Melissa says
I tried these and they were not only a success, but delicious!!!! Everybody loved them! Thank you so much!! Please keep sharing your fabulosity! 🙂
Jessica says
That's awesome! Aw, thank you so much, Melissa! <3
Mary Ann Spinelli says
My Dad was a baker and he made chocolate fried cakes in the fryer. I'm so happy to see a receipe that you can bake and not fry. " save a heart" donuts. Yay. Thank you.
Kathy says
Just wondering if it would be possible to add more flour to thicken dough, because I don't have a donut pan and would love to try these. Any suggestions. Or where could I buy a pan?
Jessica says
I don't think so. Sorry! I got my donut pan from Michael's! They may be available at Target too.
candise says
They have them at TJ 's , target, Walmart, Michaels, hobbylobby
Irene says
Bed Bath and Beyond has nice donut pans. Sign up for 20% coupons.
Georgette says
Bed Bath and Beyond is where I got mine. Get two and use your coupon. They are $9.99 each. I love mine.
Jessica says
That's where I got mine, too. 🙂
- Jess
Maddy says
Pampered Chef has a great donut pan!