Get ready to dive into a world of rich, decadent chocolate with these irresistible Triple Chocolate Baked Donuts. Imagine soft, moist chocolate cake donuts, generously coated in a luscious chocolate glaze, and finished with a shower of festive chocolate sprinkles. This isn’t just a donut; it’s a dream come true for every chocolate enthusiast, and the best part? They’re baked, not fried, making them wonderfully easy to prepare right in your own kitchen!
The Ultimate Triple Chocolate Donut Recipe: Baked to Perfection
Welcome, fellow donut lovers! While every day is a good day for a donut, some days just call for an extraordinary treat. These Triple Chocolate Donuts are designed to be the star of any occasion, whether it’s a special celebration like National Donut Day, a cozy weekend brunch, or simply a craving for something truly spectacular. Why settle for just one layer of chocolate when you can enjoy chocolate on chocolate on chocolate? From the rich cake base to the velvety glaze and delightful sprinkles, every bite is a testament to pure cocoa bliss. Move over, other donut recipes – these chocolate beauties are here to steal the show!
Baked vs. Fried: The Advantages of Homemade Baked Donuts
When you think of homemade donuts, deep-frying might be the first thing that comes to mind. However, these incredible chocolate donuts are baked, offering a delightful alternative to their fried counterparts. While there’s certainly a time and place for a classic fried donut, for cake donuts, baking them often yields an equally, if not superior, texture and flavor profile without the mess and fuss of a deep fryer.
Baking your donuts provides several distinct benefits. Firstly, it’s a healthier option, reducing the overall fat content without sacrificing taste or indulgence. You still achieve that satisfyingly crisp exterior and tender, cake-like interior that defines a perfect cake donut. Secondly, the cleanup is significantly easier. No splattering oil, no disposing of large quantities of used cooking fat – just a simple donut pan and a few mixing bowls. This makes homemade donuts more accessible for everyday baking, even for those who might shy away from frying at home.
The secret to their perfect shape and texture lies in using a reliable donut pan. This specialized bakeware ensures each donut cooks evenly, developing a beautiful golden-brown crust and maintaining a wonderfully moist and airy crumb. In just a short 7-8 minutes at 425°F (220°C), your kitchen will be filled with the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked chocolate goodness, ready to be glazed and devoured.
Indulge in Homemade Donuts in Under 30 Minutes
One of the most appealing aspects of this Triple Chocolate Donut recipe is its incredible speed. From mixing the batter to the final sprinkle, you can have a batch of these delectable treats ready to enjoy in less than 30 minutes. Think about that for a moment: that’s often less time than it takes to drive to your favorite donut shop, wait in line, place your order, and make the journey back home. While those trips can be fun, there’s a unique satisfaction that comes with creating warm, fresh donuts right in your own kitchen, exactly when the craving strikes.
This quick turnaround time makes these baked chocolate donuts ideal for last-minute dessert needs, unexpected guests, or simply satisfying that sudden urge for something sweet and comforting. The ease of preparation, combined with the convenience of baking, ensures a stress-free experience from start to finish. And let’s not forget the simple yet incredibly rich chocolate glaze – the perfect crowning glory for these cakey delights. Of course, no donut is truly complete without a generous showering of colorful, festive sprinkles! They add not only a pop of visual appeal but also a delightful textural contrast.
Unlocking the Magic of Triple Chocolate Flavor
What exactly makes these “Triple Chocolate” donuts so special? It’s all about layering those rich cocoa flavors to create an intensely satisfying experience.
- Chocolate Cake Base: The foundation is a moist, tender cake donut batter infused with unsweetened cocoa powder. This provides a deep, robust chocolate flavor that is both comforting and incredibly delicious, setting the stage for the layers to come.
- Decadent Chocolate Glaze: A thick, smooth glaze made with confectioner’s sugar and more cocoa powder drapes over each donut. This adds a sweet, slightly fudgy layer of chocolate that complements the cake perfectly, enhancing the overall cocoa intensity.
- Fun Chocolate Sprinkles: Finally, a generous coating of chocolate sprinkles provides a delightful crunch and an extra visual and textural element of chocolate. These aren’t just for decoration; they add another dimension to the triple chocolate experience, making each bite even more enjoyable.
This combination ensures that chocolate is not just an ingredient, but the star, present in every single component of this magnificent dessert, guaranteeing a truly indulgent experience for all chocolate lovers.
Ingredients and Essential Supplies for Your Triple Chocolate Donuts
Crafting these delightful triple chocolate baked donuts requires a few common pantry staples and a couple of specialized tools. You’ll find the full measurements and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to gather to embark on your donut-making adventure.
Key Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour: The base for our tender cake donuts, providing structure.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Essential for that deep, rich chocolate flavor in both the donuts and glaze.
- Baking powder: Our key leavening agent, ensuring perfectly risen, fluffy donuts with a light texture.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness of the chocolate and enhances all the flavors present in the recipe.
- Large eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the donut batter together.
- Granulated sugar: For sweetness and contributing to a tender crumb in the cake donuts.
- Milk: Adds essential moisture to the donut batter and helps achieve the perfect consistency for the glaze.
- Canola oil: Contributes significantly to the moist and tender texture of the baked donuts.
- Pure vanilla extract: A must-have flavor enhancer that complements and deepens the chocolate notes.
- Confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar): The foundation for our smooth, quick, and sweet chocolate glaze.
- Chocolate sprinkles: For that essential finishing touch, adding extra chocolate flavor, visual appeal, and fun!
Essential Supplies:
- 6-cavity donut pan: Crucial for achieving the classic donut shape when baking. Investing in two or three pans will significantly speed up the baking process, allowing you to make all 18 donuts in fewer batches.
- Nonstick cooking spray: To ensure your beautiful donuts release easily and cleanly from the pan without sticking.
- Medium and large mixing bowls: For separating and efficiently combining your wet and dry ingredients.
- Whisk: For thoroughly blending ingredients and achieving a smooth, lump-free batter and glaze.
- Gallon size resealable baggie: A simple yet effective tool for neatly piping the donut batter into the pan cavities, making the process mess-free.
- Wire rack with a baking sheet underneath: Perfect for cooling the donuts evenly and catching any excess glaze drippings, minimizing countertop mess.
Having these items on hand will make your donut-making process smooth and enjoyable, leading to perfectly baked and glazed treats every time.
How to Make Triple Chocolate Donuts: Step-by-Step Guide
Making these homemade baked chocolate donuts is surprisingly straightforward, even for beginner bakers. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying warm, fresh donuts in no time.
- Prepare Your Oven and Donut Pans: Preheat your oven to a precise 425°F (220°C). Lightly spray one or up to three (for a faster process) 6-cavity donut pans with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring every nook and cranny is coated. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal. Set them aside, ready for the batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and kosher salt until they are thoroughly combined and no lumps remain. This ensures even distribution of leavening and flavor throughout the donuts.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together the large eggs, granulated sugar, milk, canola oil, and pure vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well-integrated.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, one cup at a time, whisking continuously until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tough donuts. A few small lumps are acceptable for a tender crumb.
- Pipe the Batter: Transfer the donut batter into a gallon-sized resealable baggie. Press out any excess air and seal it shut. Snip a small corner off the bottom of the baggie – this creates a makeshift piping bag. Carefully pipe the batter into each donut ring, filling them approximately 2/3 full. This recipe yields about 18 delicious donuts.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the filled donut pans into the preheated oven and bake for 7-8 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they are set to the touch and have a slightly crisp crust. Allow the baked donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. This cooling time helps them firm up before you transfer them. Then, carefully remove them to a wire rack, which should be placed over a baking sheet to catch any future glaze drippings. If you only have one donut pan, repeat the baking process with the remaining batter until all donuts are baked.
- Craft the Chocolate Glaze: While your donuts are cooling, prepare the rich chocolate glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioner’s sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract until the glaze is wonderfully thick and smooth. If your glaze seems too thick, add an extra teaspoon or two of milk until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or whisk in a few more tablespoons of confectioner’s sugar until it thickens.
- Glaze and Decorate: Once the donuts are cool enough to handle, dip the top of each donut, one at a time, into the prepared chocolate glaze. Gently lift, allowing any excess glaze to drip off, then place the glazed donut upright back on the wire rack. Immediately and generously sprinkle each glazed donut with chocolate sprinkles before the glaze sets. Repeat this delightful process with all the remaining donuts.
- Allow Glaze to Set and Enjoy: Let the glazed and sprinkled donuts sit on the wire rack for another 5-10 minutes to allow the glaze to fully set. Once set, they are ready to be savored! Enjoy these fresh, homemade Triple Chocolate Baked Donuts with a cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk.
These steps are designed to be simple and yield fantastic results, ensuring every batch of triple chocolate donuts is a success.
Tips for Achieving Donut Perfection
Even with a simple recipe, a few expert tips can elevate your baking experience and ensure your Triple Chocolate Donuts turn out flawlessly every time.
- Do Not Overmix: When combining your wet and dry ingredients, mix only until just combined. Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in dense, chewy donuts instead of light, cakey ones. A few small lumps are perfectly fine and often preferred for a tender crumb.
- Fill Pans Correctly: Filling the donut cavities about 2/3 full is crucial. Too little batter will result in small, flat donuts, while too much can cause them to overflow or lose their characteristic donut hole shape. This ensures consistent size and shape.
- Monitor Baking Time: Ovens can vary, so always keep an eye on your donuts during the last minute or two of baking. They are done when they spring back lightly when touched and the edges are set. Overbaking can lead to dry donuts, so err on the side of slightly underbaked if unsure.
- Cool Before Glazing: While you might be tempted to glaze warm donuts, it’s best to let them cool for at least 5-10 minutes on a wire rack. Glazing hot donuts will cause the glaze to melt and run off, rather than adhering nicely and setting to a smooth finish.
- Glaze Consistency is Key: Pay attention to the glaze instructions. If it’s too thick, add milk a teaspoon at a time. If too thin, add more confectioner’s sugar in small increments. The perfect glaze should be thick enough to coat the donut generously but still pourable.
- Sprinkle Immediately: Sprinkles adhere best to wet glaze. Have them ready and sprinkle generously as soon as each donut is dipped to ensure they stick beautifully before the glaze begins to set.
Creative Variations & Serving Suggestions
While these Triple Chocolate Donuts are perfect as is, don’t hesitate to get creative with your toppings and serving ideas to customize them to your liking!
- Custom Sprinkles: Experiment with different types of sprinkles! Rainbow sprinkles, seasonal colors (like red and green for holidays), or even edible glitter can add a unique and festive touch.
- Nutty Crunch: For an added texture and flavor contrast, try sprinkling finely chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or even toasted almonds over the wet glaze.
- Coconut Delight: Toasted shredded coconut can add a tropical twist and a beautiful, chewy texture that pairs surprisingly well with chocolate.
- Different Glazes: While the chocolate glaze is divinely rich, consider a simple vanilla glaze for a classic contrast or a coffee-flavored glaze for an interesting mocha twist.
- Mini Donuts: Use a mini donut pan for bite-sized treats perfect for parties, kid-friendly portions, or just when you want a little indulgence. Adjust baking time accordingly.
Serve these fresh homemade donuts warm or at room temperature. They pair wonderfully with a piping hot cup of coffee, a tall glass of cold milk, or as a delightful dessert after dinner. They are always a crowd-pleaser and disappear quickly, so consider making a double batch!
Storing Your Delicious Baked Donuts
Proper storage will help keep your Triple Chocolate Baked Donuts fresh and delicious for longer, allowing you to enjoy them for days.
- Room Temperature: Once the chocolate glaze has fully set, store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and delicious for up to 2-3 days. Stacking them carefully with parchment paper in between layers can prevent sticking and preserve their appearance.
- Refrigeration: While not strictly necessary for such a short shelf life, if you live in a very warm or humid climate, or wish to extend their freshness slightly beyond 3 days, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container. Allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Freezing: Un-glazed donuts can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw them at room temperature, then glaze and decorate as desired just before serving. Glazed donuts can also be frozen, though the glaze might become slightly sticky or develop a little condensation upon thawing.
Explore More Delicious Homemade Donut Recipes
If these Triple Chocolate Donuts have awakened your inner baker and fueled your love for homemade treats, then you’ll be absolutely thrilled with our extensive collection of The Best Homemade Donut Recipes. This curated selection features an array of easy-to-make and utterly delicious donut varieties, ensuring there’s a perfect recipe for every taste and occasion, from fruity to spiced to classic glazed. As an added bonus, we also share some clever and creative ways to elevate store-bought donuts, transforming them into something truly special with minimal effort. Don’t miss out on expanding your donut repertoire and discovering your next favorite treat!
We absolutely adore seeing your culinary creations and the joy they bring! If you whip up a batch of these glorious Triple Chocolate Donuts, please don’t hesitate to snap a picture and share it with us on Instagram. Tag @thebakermama so we can admire your work and celebrate your baking success! For even more baking inspiration, community engagement, and delicious recipes, be sure to join our wonderful Friends of The BakerMama group on Facebook. It’s a fantastic place to connect with fellow foodies and share all the fun and yummy recipes you create from our collection. Your creativity truly inspires us, and we love seeing how you bring our ideas to life. Enjoy every delicious bite of your homemade donuts!
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Triple Chocolate Donuts
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Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 8 mins
Total Time: 23 mins
Yield: 18
Category: Breakfast
Description
Chocolate cake donuts covered in a rich chocolate glaze with chocolate sprinkles. A Triple Chocolate Donut dream that’s baked and so easy to make!
Ingredients
Donuts
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate Glaze:
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 (6.25 ounce) container chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray one (or up to three) 6 cavity donut pans with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk, oil and vanilla. Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, one cup at a time, until well combined and smooth.
- Transfer the batter to a gallon-size resealable baggie and seal shut. Cut a small piece off one corner off the bottom of the baggie and fill each donut ring 2/3 full with batter. (Should make 18 donuts)
- Bake for 7-8 minutes or until donuts are set and crisp when touched. Let donuts cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to collect glaze drippings. Repeat process with remaining batter if you don’t have three donut pans.
- Make the Chocolate Glaze: in a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioner’s sugar, cocoa powder, milk and vanilla until glaze is thick and smooth. (If glaze is too thick, stir in an additional teaspoon or two of milk. If glaze is too thin, let set for 5-10 minutes or whisk in a few tablespoons of confectioner’s sugar.)
- Dip the top of one donut at a time into the glaze and place upright back on the wire rack. Immediately sprinkle each glazed donut generously with chocolate sprinkles. Repeat with remaining donuts. Allow glaze to set for 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!