Chocolate Donuts with Sprinkles

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a dessert lover looking to try something fun, chocolate donuts with sprinkles are a surefire way to brighten anyone’s day. These chocolate donuts delectable treats are a delightful combination of rich chocolate flavor and crunchy, colorful sprinkles—a match made in dessert heaven.

This guide will walk you through a foolproof recipe, share expert tips, and inspire you to create the perfect donuts at home. With easy-to-follow instructions and simple ingredients, you’re about to bake something that looks as amazing as it tastes.

Why We Love This Recipe Donuts

1. Rich Donuts: These donuts are rich and decadent, topped with a luscious chocolate glaze for ultimate indulgence.
2. Sprinkles for Fun: Add a pop of fun and whimsy with colorful sprinkles, making them visually appealing for any occasion.

3. Baked, Not Fried: The homemade donuts are baked, eliminating the need for a messy pot of oil and saving you from worrying about batter resting.
4. Skip the Donut Shop: Avoid Saturday morning trips to the local donut shop by whipping up this easy chocolate donut recipe at home.
5. Versatile Treat: Enjoy these donuts for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or a quick snack—perfect for any time of day.

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Ingredients Breakdown

Sprinkles—especially rainbow decorating sprinkles—add a whimsical touch, making these chocolate donuts visually delightful and fun to eat.

All-purpose flour provides the structure and base for these donuts, creating a soft yet sturdy texture.

Unsweetened cocoa powder delivers rich chocolate flavor without extra sweetness, balancing the dessert perfectly.

Baking powder and baking soda work together as leavening agents, ensuring the donuts rise evenly and remain fluffy.

Salt enhances the chocolate’s depth and balances the sweetness of the glaze.

Granulated sugar sweetens the batter, creating the right level of indulgence.

Vegetable oil or another neutral oil keeps the donuts moist and soft without overpowering the flavor.

Eggs bind the ingredients while adding richness to the overall texture.

Buttermilk or plain whole milk kefir introduces tangy moisture, contributing to the batter’s tenderness.

Hot water enhances the cocoa powder’s flavor and helps blend the batter smoothly.

Heavy whipping cream is essential for creating a silky chocolate glaze.

Chocolate chips or a chopped chocolate bar (at least 60% cocoa) ensure a high-quality glaze with intense chocolate notes.

Substitutions & Variations

Versatile Garnishes: Top with anything from coconut flakes to mini marshmallows, making each donut customizable for any occasion or craving.

Sprinkle Creativity: Swap the traditional sprinkles with chopped nuts or crushed sandwich cookies for a crunchy topping on your frosted donuts.

Chocolate Swaps: Transform your chocolate icing by replacing the chocolate chips with white chocolate, butterscotch, or peanut butter chips for a unique twist.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Inspiration: Add a warm kick by mixing cinnamon and cayenne pepper into the batter and the chocolate ganache, giving it that rich, spiced flavor.

Semi-Sweet Elegance: Opt for semi-sweet chocolate chips for a perfectly balanced, less-sweet glaze that pairs beautifully with the chocolate donuts soft texture.

Dry Ingredient Adjustments: Experiment with flavors like cocoa powder, or even add a pinch of espresso powder for depth in the batter.

Step 1

In a medium bowl, combine sugar and oil, and whisk until smooth. Add the egg and mix well. Gradually incorporate the buttermilk or plain kefir until fully combined, ensuring a consistent texture.

Step 2

In a separate mixing bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This will ensure the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and free of lumps.

Step 3

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until partially mixed. Add hot water to the batter and continue mixing until just combined. The batter will be slightly runny, which is ideal for piping.

Step 4

Fill a piping bag with the prepared batter and cut off the tip. Pipe the batter into a greased donut pan, filling each cavity about ⅔ full. This recipe will yield 8-9 donuts. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 13-17 minutes or until the donuts achieve a cakey texture and spring back when lightly pressed. Allow them to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Step 5

While the chocolate donuts cool, prepare the chocolate ganache. Heat cream in a saucepan over medium heat or in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds, until it begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl, and cover with a plate to trap heat for about 5 minutes. Stir gently with a rubber spatula until the ganache is smooth and glossy.

Step 6

Dip the top of each donut into the ganache, ensuring an even coating. Let the excess drip off before placing the chocolate donuts back on the cooling rack.

Step 7

Finish by decorating the donuts with sprinkles while the ganache is still wet. Allow the chocolate donuts to set on the rack, letting the ganache firm up slightly before serving.

Storage

Chocolate donuts with sprinkles can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days. Unglazed donuts stay fresh for 3-5 days in a cool, dry space.

Refrigerator

Store your sprinkle chocolate donuts in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh for up to 1 week.

Freezing Instructions

Once your chocolate donuts are completely cooled, before glazing, tightly wrap them in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored for up to 1 month. To enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature or microwave for 15-30 seconds, then dip in ganache and top with sprinkles.

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