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Start your day with these decadent, easy chocolate doughnuts! They are light, fresh, delicious, and healthier when homemade! They make for the perfect special breakfast, brunch or dessert!
I am a sucker for doughnuts, especially chocolate doughnuts. I can't help it! Each bite is so soft and tender and when topped with icing it's dessert for breakfast. Who can resist that?
There are so many different flavors, and types, they have almost taken on their own food group!
Doughnuts are usually full of fat and calories, and absolutely no nutritional value. Which means I try to reserve my doughnut impulses as much as possible. But once in a while it's nice to indulge in these sugary, fried dough masterpieces!
What if I were to tell you that you didn't have to restrict your love for doughnuts? What if I told you that you could make a healthy, homemade, vegan version at home?
I'm here to tell you that you can make your own doughnuts at home that are not only as sweet and satisfying as the ones you buy at the bakery, but they're also way healthier!
Baked, and not fried, these chocolate donuts are light and fluffy. They're topped with a simple chocolate icing that makes them extra special! They're also vegan friendly! What gets better than that?
Tools and Equipment You'll Need
Recipe Ingredients and Notes
How to Make Vegan Chocolate Doughnuts - Step by Step
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray donut pan with vegan-friendly cooking spray (vegetable oil, extra virgin olive oil, etc.).
Step 2: In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3: Next, add the wet ingredients: almond milk, applesauce, melted coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar.
Step 4: Mix all ingredients well until a thick batter forms.
Step 5: Scoop the batter into a piping bag and squeeze it into the doughnut pan. You will have to do this in 2 batches since the batter makes eight donuts. Bake for 15 minutes and allow to cool.
Step 6: To make the topping, mix together confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, and almond milk. Mix vigorously and well.
Step 7: Once the doughnuts are cooled, use a spoon to spread the cocoa topping on each of the donuts.
Step 8: Sprinkle the glazed chocolate donuts with either shredded coconut or sprinkles and serve!
What makes these Chocolate Doughnuts Healthy?
- Baked Not Fried: These doughnuts are baked not fried. This greatly reduces the overall fat and calories of each doughnut.
- Whole Grain Flour: Most doughnuts are made with refined flour. This type of flour has no fiber or nutrients. They are empty calories. This chocolate donut recipe is made with whole grain flour increasing their fiber content.
- Nutrients in Unsweetened Cocoa: These chocolate donuts are made with cocoa powder. Cocoa powder has many nutritional benefits. It is rich in polyphenols which helps with reduced inflammation, and improved cholesterol.
Will Kids Enjoy These Vegan Donuts?
Unless your child just doesn't like donuts, there is no reason why they won't love these. I like to get the kids involved in making them with me. They can easily help make the icing and decorate the top. The best part is adding on all those yummy vegan sprinkles or shredded coconut!
Recipe FAQs
Do You Need to Fry Chocolate Doughnuts?
Doughnuts that you pick up at your local bakery are often fried. However, these chocolate doughnuts are intended to be cakey and baked. The texture is lovely without being fried. You can easily whip up these chocolate doughnuts in the oven.
What Can I Use if I Don't Have a Doughnut Pan?
If you don't have a doughnut pan you can use a muffin tin and some aluminum foil. Take a small amount of aluminum foil and shape into a ball. Place the ball in the center of each muffin tin. Then with your piping bag, pipe the batter around the muffin tin, you'll have a circular doughnut shape.
How Do You Make Day Old Doughnuts Fresh Again?
We all know that doughnuts always taste better when they are fresh, but that doesn't mean you have to toss them if you don't eat them right away. These chocolate doughnuts can easily be given new life if you place them on a plate and microwave for 10-15 seconds. Make sure to cover them with a paper towel. They will be soft, chewy, and ready for you to enjoy.
How to Serve
I enjoy topping these chocolate doughnuts with shredded coconut and vegan sprinkles, but there are many other ideas you can consider. Here are a few...
- Crushed Nuts: You can use any variety of nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds.
- Cinnamon & Sugar: One of the most delicious combinations is cinnamon and sugar. Use 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Mix and sprinkle on top.
- Chocolate Chips: If you are in the mood for something extra yummy, add some sugar-free chocolate chips or crushed chocolate to the top of the frosted doughnuts.
How to Store and Keep
Store leftover doughnuts at room temperature in an air tight container. You don't want to squash them together, and you also don't want to put one on top of the other because the frosting will stick to the bottom of each one. Covering each layer with parchment or wax paper will keep them from sticking together.
These vegan donuts will keep for 3-5 days, but taste best when eaten fresh!
Top Tips For Making Glazed Chocolate Doughnuts
- Don't overmix the batter, or the chocolate donuts will be dense and stiff.
- It's best to wait to add the frosting until the doughnuts have had time to cool completely.
- Don't forget to grease or spray the donut pan. Otherwise, they may stick, and you will have a mess on your hands.
- Don't fill the doughnut pan too full. You'll need to fill each around ¾ full, so it doesn't bake over the top of the pan.
- The chocolate donuts are done baking when you can insert a toothpick into the doughnut, and it comes out clean.
- After the donuts have cooled, remove them from the pan. Be sure to let them stay in the pan to cool, or they may be too warm and fall apart.
