These Chocolate Donuts are moist, sweet, and packed with rich chocolate flavor. This recipe ensures a perfect texture and incredible taste, making these donuts absolutely addictive and delicious.

It sounds like you’re a fan of donuts! Crafting these delightful Chocolate Donuts isn’t as difficult as it might seem, and they pair wonderfully with coffee, milk, or other desserts.

ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

• TASTE: These donuts have a delightful sweetness with a hint of tanginess, thanks to the addition of sour cream. This balance of flavors contrasts beautifully with the richness of the chocolate.
• TEXTURE: The key to these Chocolate Donuts’ appeal lies in their moist and dense texture. They boast a crispy exterior from frying but remain soft and chewy inside.
• TIME: This homemade donut recipe requires approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
• EASE: While making donuts can feel daunting, fear not! With clear instructions and plenty of step-by-step photos, this recipe simplifies the process and makes it exceptionally easy.

Ingredient Notes:

• Cocoa powder: It’s the powerhouse of chocolate flavor for your donuts, combining with sugar to create that delicious taste.
• Sour cream: This is the secret to moist Chocolate Donuts, giving them a tangy taste and a delightful texture.
• Heavy cream: This high-fat liquid helps melt and smoothen the chocolate for the glaze while preventing it from seizing up.
• Brown sugar & Sugar: Sweeteners that offer depth of flavor, especially the molasses in brown sugar.
• Semisweet chocolate chips: They work best for the chocolate glaze, melting quickly due to their small size.

Substitutions:

• Substitute Greek yogurt: Swap out sour cream for plain Greek yogurt to introduce some protein.
• Add espresso powder: It adds a kick to the donuts and enhances their sweetness with a touch of bitterness.
• Substitute gluten-free flour: Using gluten-free all-purpose flour in this recipe creates delicious gluten-free Chocolate Donuts.
• Add toppings: Sprinkle the donuts with sprinkles, coconut flakes, or chopped nuts while the glaze is wet for added flavor or a festive look.

Tips:

• Alternate the sour cream and flour mixture: When combining these ingredients, alternating allows for a thorough combination without overworking the dough.
• Dust the donut cutters with flour: To prevent sticking and maintain the donut shape, lightly flour the cutters.
• Fry the donuts carefully at 325°F: Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning, and periodically check the oil temperature, as it can increase while frying.
• Absorb extra oil after frying: Place the cooked donuts on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil, making it easier to coat them with chocolate.

Prepare in Advance:

These donuts can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for a few days. Keep them cool to maintain the glaze and prevent the donuts from drying out.

Storage:

For storing Chocolate Donuts, place them in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature in a cool environment (avoid direct sunlight) or in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Freezing:

To freeze, place them in a ziplock freezer bag where they’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Defrost them overnight in the fridge for a delightful morning treat.

Love Donuts? Be sure to check out these other great donut recipes!

• Brioche Donuts
• Homemade Donuts
• Apple Cider Donuts

Chocolate Donuts

These Chocolate Donuts are incredibly delicious, moist, sweet, and tangy with that smooth glazed top. Making this recipe a definite must-try!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
chill: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 40minutes
Servings: 8 Donuts

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter (softened)
• 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup of golden brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup of sour cream
• 1 and 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

For the Chocolate Glaze:

• 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup of heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter (melted)
• Additionally, you’ll need corn oil for frying.

Instructions

Donut Dough Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup golden brown sugar using an electric hand mixer.
2. Add 1 large egg and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
4. Gradually combine the dry mixture with the butter-sugar mix in thirds, alternating with 1/3 cup sour cream each time. Ensure thorough mixing after each addition. Then, encase the donut dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, approximately 1 hour.

Donut Shaping:

1. Lightly dust your work surface with flour and roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thick.
   Use a donut cutter or two different-sized biscuit cutters to cut out the donuts, dipping the cutters in flour to prevent sticking. Gather and re-roll the scraps as needed. Aim for about 12 donuts.

Frying the Donuts:

1. Heat about 2 inches of corn oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 325°F. Fry the donuts in batches, taking care to cook each side for around 2 minutes. Keep a close eye to prevent overcooking, adjusting the heat as necessary. Once done, transfer the fried donuts to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess oil.

Making the Glaze:

1. Heat 1/2 cup of heavy cream to a light boil, then pour it over 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips. Ensure the chocolate is fully submerged and whisk it well. Reheat in short intervals if necessary.
2. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter.
3. Dip the slightly cooled donuts into the glaze and allow them to set on a cooling rack. Enjoy with coffee or milk!

Here are some helpful tips for making the chocolate donuts:

Mixing Technique: To blend without overworking the dough, alternate adding the sour cream and flour mixture.

Cutting the Donuts: Prevent sticking and maintain the dough’s shape while cutting by dusting the donut cutters with flour.

Frying Process: Maintain the oil temperature at 325°F while frying the donuts. Keep a close watch to prevent burning, especially as you cook in batches. Adjust the heat as needed if the oil temperature rises.

Oil Absorption: After frying, let the cooked donuts rest on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil, making them easier to coat with chocolate.