Chocolate Sprinkle Donuts with Vanilla Glaze
These classic baked chocolate donuts are topped with a homemade vanilla glaze and lots of pretty sprinkles! These Chocolate Sprinkle Donuts are my favorite baked donut recipe (because, chocolate) and they make a perfect easy weekend breakfast!
These Baked Chocolate Sprinkle Donuts with a Vanilla Glaze are so incredibly festive, I sometimes can’t even handle it.
I mean, an easy baked chocolate donut recipe dunked in sprinkles and glaze?? What’s not to love...
(Definitely a rhetorical question there. 😉)
My niece has discovered FaceTiming, and it’s probably the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. According to my sister, she points to the phone, says who she wants to call, and waits expectantly. Apparently, at 18 months, she knows exactly what she wants.
In the words of my sister, “She’s a little boss.” 😂
I can say without a doubt she is the cutest little boss I’ve ever seen.
Speaking of my favorite niece (for those of you thinking I play favorites, I only have one niece 😉), these chocolate sprinkle donuts were technically made for her 1st birthday party. Aka, a little over 6 months ago.
Well, better late than never, right? Trust me, not only are these chocolate donuts adorable (almost as adorable as my niece), they also taste just like childhood and Saturday mornings (aka, amazing)!
While these donuts are not as summery as these Lemon Coconut Donuts, nor are they as heart-racing as these Espresso Chocolate Donuts, they are a classic combination that can’t be beat!
Sprinkle donuts were always the first ones I begged for whenever we were at a donut shop when I was younger. There’s something incredibly fun about sprinkles, and as a kid, I couldn’t resist their charm.
Now, as an adult, I’d love to say sprinkles don’t get me every time, but…
They’re just so pretty. You almost can’t help but smile when see them.
Plus, I’m obsessed with these sprinkles in particular. I found them stuffed on a shelf at Home Goods, and with all of its teal, pink, and purple charm, these sprinkles might be my best purchase from there.
So. Let’s talk donuts.
I love a good fried cake donut, don’t get me wrong. However, in the interest of being ridiculously transparent, deep frying at home is a hard no.
I know it’s supposedly not supposed to be all that difficult, and perhaps someday I’ll gather up enough courage try it, but whenever I think about trying it, I just don’t see it going well.
Like, at all.
I’m fairly savvy in the kitchen and I managed to burn my hand and leg with a relatively small amount hot oil (I still have the scars 3 years later 🙄) so the idea of deep frying sounds…like a no.
Clearly, I’m sharing with you a recipe for baked chocolate donuts. 😉 (It’s not just because I’m acting like a sissy la-la, it’s also because baked donuts are the bomb. They have this incredibly soft yet cake-like texture, and they come together with ease and minimal mess. #iwin)
Baked Chocolate Donuts with Sprinkles and a Vanilla Glaze Tips & Tricks:
- First things first, these glorious baked chocolate donuts begin with a donut pan. I mean, how do you make baked donuts with a donut pan?? (Of course, you can make cute little baby donuts in a mini muffin tin, but that’s beside the point. 😉)
- Secondly, when it comes to making the homemade vanilla glaze, you can use either whole milk or 2% milk. I would suggest not using skim milk, as it is a little thin and the glaze might not set up as well.
- Lastly, as per usual when it comes to baked goods, don’t over bake these chocolate donuts. It can be difficult to tell when chocolate donuts are done (because you can’t really see any golden edges), but as soon as the donuts have puffed up, test them to see if they ‘spring’ back when touched. As soon as they do that, take them out.
I’m a big fan whenever chocolate and breakfast go hand in hand, so it’s definitely safe to say these baked chocolate sprinkle donuts with a vanilla glaze won’t disappoint. 😉
Chocolate Sprinkle Donuts with Vanilla Glaze
Ingredients
Baked Chocolate Donuts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp espresso powder; optional, but it brings out the flavor of chocolate
- 1 egg
- 6 Tbsp half & half
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp butter (melted)
Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 Tbsp whole milk (2% is fine as well)
Topping
- Sprinkles
Instructions
Baked Chocolate Donuts
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and grease a donut pan with baking spray; set aside.
- In a bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder together until well combined. Set aside.
- Whisk the egg and half & half together. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and add the wet ingredients. Mix until combined (batter will be fairly thick).
- Add in sour cream, vanilla extract, and butter; mix until well combined.
- Pour batter into greased donut pan, filling each donut cavity about 3/4 of the way full (this batter can make about 7-8 donuts).
- Bake for 8-9 minutes, or until the donut 'springs' back when touched. Allow to cool a few minutes before removing from the pan.
Vanilla Glaze
- Whisk powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 Tbsp of milk together until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add in the remaining Tbsp of milk.
- Dip each donut in the glaze, and top with sprinkles. Allow the glaze to harden, about 1-2 minutes.
- Enjoy!
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Here are some other sprinkle desserts I think you’ll love!
Meet Michelle
I’m a self-taught baker who truly believes it’s impossible to be upset when eating dessert. It’s my life’s goal to bake everyone happy!
If I’m not baking, I’m probably reading a good book with a cup a coffee in hand.
Welcome! I’m glad you’re here!
Who wouldn’t love this yummy treat?! Those bright sprinkles just look so cheerful! And chocolate…well, chocolate just makes me happy!
These are adorable! My little guys are currently obsessed with all the snapchat filters. I’m pretty sure they send snaps of random pictures. Haha
These donuts scream weekend treat to me! So fun all dressed up in sprinkles!
Your niece sounds like she’s the cutest, Michelle! And these donuts are just gorgeous! I’m a sucker for chocolate donuts, and the fun sprinkles add the perfect touch!
You are absolutely correct – these looks perfect for Saturday morning breakfast! Looking forward to making them!
(Although, I must admit, my kids require a lot more sprinkles than you do!) 😉
I absolutely love them. And the sprinkles are awesome!!
These are precisely the donuts my kids would create for themselves! Perfection!
Love the sprinkles! Kids would love having these for breakfast!