These baked chocolate donuts are nothing short of heavenly! Light and fluffy chocolate donuts are glazed with chocolate icing for the most delicious sweet snack.

overhead image of chocolate donuts

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Easy Chocolate Donut Recipe

There is never a bad time for a donut, and these, my friends, are so good!

These double chocolate donuts are so easy to make as they are baked in the oven, and they come out so wonderfully light and fluffy! These are a real delight for all my chocoholics!

For more chocolate recipes, be sure to try my German Chocolate Cake and Chocolate Lasagna!

Why you’ll love this Chocolate Donuts Recipe:

  • EASY: It couldn’t be easier to make your own donuts! Quick to prep and made with simple ingredients.
  • KID-FRIENDLY: I mean, of course, kids love these! Your older kids can also give you a hand making them as they are pretty straightforward.
  • OVEN-BAKED: Donuts can be intimidating to make at home as traditionally they are deep-fried, but these baked donuts are super straightforward!

If you need more donut recipes, try these easy Air Fryer Donuts or these Coffee Donuts!

step by step photos for making chocolate donuts
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chocolate donuts on cooling rack

How to Make Chocolate Donuts

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Whisk together the dry ingredients in one bowl.
  2. Mix the wet ingredients in another.
  3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and combine.
  4. Transfer the batter to the donut pan.
  5. Bake.
  6. Melt the ingredients for the glaze until smooth.
  7. Frost the cooled donuts and add sprinkles.
chocolate donuts on cooling rack
chocolate donuts on cooling rack

How long do they keep?

Once the donuts have set, keep them in an airtight container, with the layers separated by parchment.

Chocolate Donuts will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can keep them at room temperature, but the chocolate will soften.

Can you freeze them?

If you want to freeze these baked chocolate donuts, it’s best to do so without the glaze. Wrap them in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months.

Have fun decorating!

I kept these chocolate donuts pretty simple in the decoration, but feel free to have at it! You could drizzle over some white chocolate on top of the glaze, or add lots of green and red sprinkles for a really festive treat!

This is a great kid-friendly recipe. Let the kids get involved by decorating with their favorite colored sprinkles!

chocolate donuts on platter with parchment
chocolate donuts on platter with parchment

Tips!

  • Be sure to grease your donut pan before adding the batter. You really don’t want them to get stuck in the tin!
  • Don’t over-mix the donut batter. If you overwork it, the gluten will develop and you will have chewy donuts.
  • Don’t overfill the donut molds. The donuts rise as they bake and will overflow if you fill them all the way to the top.
up close image of chocolate donuts

More Easy Breakfast Recipes

We love these chocolate donuts, but variety is key! Here are some of our other favorite ways to start the day.

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe Card

Chocolate Donuts Recipe

4.80 from 10 votes
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 donuts
Author: Becky Hardin
overhead image of chocolate donuts
These baked chocolate donuts are nothing short of heavenly! Light and fluffy chocolate donuts are glazed with chocolate icing for the most delicious sweet snack.
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Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour 120 grams
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder 2 grams
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda 3 grams
  • cup unsweetened cocoa powder 28 grams
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
  • 1 large egg 50 grams
  • ½ cup plain yogurt 114 grams
  • ¼ cup canola oil 50 grams
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams

For the Chocolate Glaze

  • ½ cup chocolate chips 85 grams
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 28 grams (¼ stick)
  • 1 tablespoon milk 14 grams
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate sprinkles 24 grams, for topping

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a donut tin generously with nonstick baking spray.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, salt, and sugar together.
    1 cup all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ cup granulated sugar
  • In a medium bowl, mix the egg, yogurt, oil, and vanilla extract together.
    1 large egg, ½ cup plain yogurt, ¼ cup canola oil, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until the batter is just smooth.
  • Transfer the batter into the donut tin using a spoon or piping bag. Fill each well only to a little more than ¾ full.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes. Test if the donuts have been baked properly by inserting a toothpick. It should come out clean. Allow the donuts to cool for 5 minutes. Then flip the pans upside down over a wire rack. Repeat as needed until all donuts have been baked.
  • Using a microwave-safe bowl, heat the chocolate chips, butter, milk, and vanilla extract for 30 seconds, or until melted (depends on microwave setting). Stir until smooth.
    ½ cup chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon milk, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Generously frost the donuts with the chocolate glaze and top with sprinkles.
    2 tablespoons chocolate sprinkles

Becky’s Tips

  • Be sure to grease your donut pan before adding the batter. You really don’t want them to get stuck in the tin!
  • Don’t over-mix the donut batter. If you overwork it, the gluten will develop and you will have chewy donuts.
  • Don’t overfill the donut molds. The donuts rise as they bake and will overflow if you fill them all the way to the top.
Storage: Store chocolate donuts in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving: 1donutCalories: 269kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 4gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 152mgPotassium: 109mgFiber: 2gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 139IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.80 from 10 votes (9 ratings without comment)
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2 Comments
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Jennifer
Jennifer
October 30, 2023 9:06 am

They were pretty, but the flavor was kind of bitter like dark chocolate. Which is fine for some people, but we like more of a milk chocolate flavor.3 stars

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Samantha Marceau
October 30, 2023 9:17 am
Reply to  Jennifer

Hi Jennifer, I’d recommend using milk chocolate chips in the glaze next time for a more milk chocolatey flavor!