• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Broken Oven Baking
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • About
  • Resources
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Easter
  • Recipes
  • Newsletter
  • Coaching
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Easter
    • Recipes
    • Newsletter
    • Coaching
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Broken Oven Baking » Recipes » Donuts & Muffins

    Chocolate Donuts with Sprinkles

    Published: Apr 17, 2022 by Kayla Burton · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    255 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe

    Some days I crave a rich, chocolatey dessert that is both comforting and quick, and these chocolate donuts with sprinkles are the perfect remedy. Chocolate cake donuts are iced with a delicious chocolate glaze and topped with your favorite sprinkles for the perfect combination of indulgence and nostalgia.

    Chocolate donuts with sprinkles.

    For an Oreo version of these cake donuts, check out my Cookies and Cream Donuts with Chocolate Ganache! You'll also love my Red Velvet Cake Donuts!

    Jump to:
    • Why We Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • Equipment
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Expert Baking Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Storage
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why We Love This Recipe

    • It's a rich donut topped with an easy chocolate glaze with a pop of fun and whimsy from the sprinkles.
    • My favorite part is that these homemade donuts are baked instead of fried, so you won't have to worry about letting the batter rest or the messy pot full of oil for frying.
    • You won't need to make the trip to your local donut shop on Saturday mornings because you can whip up this chocolate donut recipe at home in no time!
    • This recipe can be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, dessert or a snack any time of day!
    • It's a fun, beautiful treat using sprinkles, like my Sprinkle Sugar Cookies!

    Looking for more delicious donut recipes?

    • Glazed Blueberry Cake Donuts
    • S'mores Donuts
    • Banana Baked Donuts
    • Cinnamon Roll Donuts

    Ingredients

    • All purpose flour
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder
    • Baking powder
    • Baking soda
    • Salt
    • Granulated sugar
    • Vegetable oil (or other neutral)
    • Egg
    • Buttermilk or plain whole milk kefir
    • Hot water
    • Heavy whipping cream
    • Chocolate chips: Use high quality chocolate chips or a chopped chocolate bar - it should be at least 60% cocoa.
    • Sprinkles: I use my favorite rainbow decorating sprinkles!

    See recipe card below for quantities.

    Substitutions & Variations

    • Next time, try substituting chopped nuts or crushed sandwich cookies for the sprinkles on top of these frosted donuts.
    • Mix up the chocolate icing by using white chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter, or semi-sweet chocolate chips in place of your chocolate chips.
    • Make a Mexican hot chocolate version by adding a little bit of cinnamon and cayenne pepper to both the batter with the dry ingredients and to the chocolate ganache!

    This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you do replace any ingredients, please let us know how they turned out in the comments below!

    Equipment

    These donuts are so simple, you won't need much special equipment!

    • This recipe requires a donut pan. I recommend using a non-stick or silicone donut pan to make sure they come out of the pan nice and clean.
    • A reusable piping bag or disposable piping bag makes filling the pan a cleaner process, but you can also simply use a spoon to fill the donut molds!

    Step by Step Instructions

    A 4-photo collage showing how to make baked chocolate donuts.

    Step One (Picture 1 above) - In a medium bowl, add the sugar & oil and whisk. Next mix the egg into the oil and sugar mixture, followed by the buttermilk or plain kefir, until fully combined.

    Step Two (Picture 2 above) - In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

    Step Three (Picture 3 above) - Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Then add hot water and mix until just combined - the batter will be slightly runny.

    Step Four (Picture 4 above) - Fill a piping bag with the donut batter, cut off the tip, and pipe into a greased donut pan about ⅔ of the way full (this recipe makes 8-9 donuts).

    Bake donuts at 350°F/177°C until they have a cakey texture and spring back when lightly pressed (about 13-17 min). Let them cool in the pan until they're just warm to the touch, then transfer them to a wire rack.

    A 3-photo collage showing how to make chocolate ganache, dip chocolate donuts in it and top them with sprinkles.

    Step Five (Picture 5 above) - While the donuts cool completely, make the chocolate ganache. Heat cream in a small saucepan on medium heat or in the microwave (stirring every 20 seconds) until it just begins to simmer. Pour hot cream over chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl, and then place a plate over top to trap the heat for 5 minutes. Remove the plate and stir in a circular motion with a rubber spatula until it’s a smooth, homogenous ganache.

    Step Six (Picture 6 above) - One at a time, dip the top of the donut into the ganache.

    Step Seven (Picture 7 above) - Cover the top of each donut with sprinkles and let them dry on a cooling rack.

    Expert Baking Tips

    Tip #1 - Don't have a piping bag? No problem! You can use a large resealable plastic bag. Simply pour the batter into the bag, twist the top to seal it, and cut a small opening at the tip. You can also carefully pour or spoon the batter directly into the pan.

    Tip #2 - For best results, don't over mix your batter! Over mixing can lead to a tough donut. To make sure the donuts are nice and fluffy, mix the batter just until you don't see anymore flour streaks.

    Tip #3 - Using a flexible silicone pan? Place it on top of a metal baking sheet while they’re in the oven so that it doesn’t flop around at all.

    Recipe FAQs

    What if I can't find buttermilk or kefir?

    You can make your own version at home by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar to your milk a few minutes before you are ready to make your batter.

    What's the difference between a cake donut and a yeast donut?

    A cake donut uses a chemical leavener such as baking soda or baking powder, similar to the batter used to make cake, where a traditional yeasted donut uses yeast to help the dough rise. Cake donuts have a fluffier texture and are quicker to make because they don’t require time to rise or frying in oil.

    Can I top these with a different frosting?

    Yes, feel free to use your favorite icing in place of the chocolate ganache!

    Why do I need to use high quality chocolate?

    Low quality chocolate does not combine and set well with heavy whipping cream, so the ganache may not turn out smooth and consistent.

    Half of a chocolate donut with sprinkles stacked on top of a whole one.

    Storage

    Room Temperature: These chocolate donuts with sprinkles can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days. Unglazed donuts can be stored here for 3-5 days.

    Refrigerator: Store chocolate sprinkle donuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

    Freezing Instructions: Once the chocolate donuts are completely cooled but before glazing, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw the donuts at room temperature or in the microwave for 15-30 seconds. Make the ganache, dip them in it and top them with sprinkles.

    More Recipes You'll Love

    • Mini Brownie Bites
    • Almond Poppy Seed Muffins
    • Orange Chocolate Cake with Ganache
    • Double Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

    Did you try this recipe? I'd love to see it!
    Tag @brokenovenbaking on Instagram & Facebook and leave a ⭐️ review below!

    📖 Recipe

    Chocolate Donuts with Sprinkles

    Kayla Burton
    Easy baked chocolate donuts topped with silky chocolate ganache and fun sprinkles!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save for LaterSaved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 donuts
    Calories 327 kcal

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowls
    • Measuring spoons
    • Scale/measuring cups
    • Whisk
    • Spatula
    • Piping bag optional
    • Donut pan
    • Wire cooling rack

    Ingredients
     
     

    Chocolate Donuts

    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ⅓ cup vegetable oil or other neutral oil
    • 1 large egg room temperature
    • ⅓ cup buttermilk or plain whole milk kefir room temperature
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour weighed in grams or spooned and leveled
    • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup hot water

    Toppings

    • ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
    • ½ cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar high quality (>60% cocoa)
    • ¼ cup sprinkles

    Instructions
     

    Chocolate Donuts

    • Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C and grease a donut pan.
    • In a medium bowl, mix together the sugar and oil. Stir in the egg and then the buttermilk/kefir.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
    • Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until a few streaks of flour are left. Then gradually mix in the hot water just until combined. The batter will be slightly runny.
    • Pour the batter into a piping bag, cut off the tip, and fill each donut mold about ⅔ full. It should make 8-9 donuts depending on the pan's depth.
    • Bake donuts on the middle rack of the oven until the tops are puffed up and spring back lightly when you gently press on them (about 13-17 minutes).
      Note: If you're using a flexible silicone donut pan, I recommend placing it on top of a metal baking sheet while in the oven.
    • Let the donuts cool in the pan until they're just warm to the touch, then transfer them to a wire rack. While they're cooling, make the chocolate ganache.

    Chocolate Ganache

    • Place the chocolate chips in the bottom of a small/medium bowl.
    • Heat the heavy whipping cream in the microwave or over the stove (stirring every 20 seconds) just until it starts to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips so they're covered completely, then place a plate over top to trap the steam for 5 minutes.
    • Using a rubber spatula, stir the chocolate/cream in a circular motion starting in the center. Continue to stir until it's a smooth chocolate ganache.

    Assemble the Donuts

    • Dunk the donuts in the ganache and top with sprinkles, one at a time. Let them dry a wire rack.

    Notes

    Storage: Unglazed donuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days or in the freezer for 1 month. Glazed donuts should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for 1 week.
    Nutrition: The provided nutrition information is an estimate, accuracy is not guaranteed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 327kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 4gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 156mgPotassium: 153mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 202IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Donut & Muffin Recipes

    • Blueberry banana muffins in a basket with a towel.
      Best Blueberry Banana Muffins
    • Close up of a red velvet cake donut stack.
      Red Velvet Cake Donuts with Cream Cheese Icing
    • Banana muffins with Nutella swirled on top and in the middle.
      Swirled Banana Nutella Muffins
    • A stack of orange poppy seed muffins with glaze.
      Orange Poppy Seed Muffins with Glaze

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    About Kayla

    Hey, I'm Kayla! I'm a self-taught baker, recipe developer & food photographer in Chicago! This blog is a way for me to share recipes, tips, and everything I love related to baking & photography. If you have any questions or want to connect, I'd love to hear from you!
    About Kayla →

    Featured On

    Good Morning America logo
    Sur La Table logo

    Bake & Learn With Me!

    Easter Brunch and Dessert Recipes

    • Top view of mini egg blondies cut into squares.
      Easy Mini Egg Blondies (Quick Easter Dessert)
    • A slice of blueberry sour cream coffee cake sticking out of a bundt cake.
      Best Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake
    • A stack of sour cream cookies with vanilla buttercream frosting.
      Soft and Easy Sour Cream Cookies with Frosting
    • Mini lemon cheesecakes with lemon curd, whipped cream, and Biscoff cookie crust.
      No Bake Mini Lemon Cheesecakes

    Favorite Cookies

    • Soft Almond Sugar Cookies
    • Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Top view of espresso chocolate chip cookies with flaky salt.
      Salted Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Lucky Charms Cookies
    • Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Soft M&M Sugar Cookies

    Trending Recipes

    • Mini Brownie Bites
    • No Bake Cheesecake Bites
    • Easy Raspberry Cream Cheese Danish Recipe
    • Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

    Did you try a recipe?
    Tag @brokenovenbaking and #brokenovenbaking on Instagram, Facebook, & TikTok!

    Join our Instagram baking collab!

    Be a part of our fun & supportive baking community where we choose a theme and share our bakes on Instagram every month!

    Baking & Photography Essentials!

    Let's Connect!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Me
    Privacy Policy
    Terms of Service
    Accessibility Policy

    Let's Connect!

    Newsletter
    Work With Us
    Food Blog Coaching
    Free Food Blogging Tips

    Contact

    Contact Page
    Baking Collaboration

    At no cost to you, I may earn from qualified purchases made through affiliate links on my website.

    Copyright © 2023 Broken Oven Baking Company LLC