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I am calling all chocolate lovers to make these Chocolate Baked Donuts ASAP! Like seriously, you must make them as soon as possible. You will not regret it! These rich and chocolatey melt-in-your-mouth donuts were one of the fastest treats to go in my house, which is saying something because I make a lot of treats! My little cousin devoured these babies in literally 2 minutes flat and was left with chocolate all over his face and hands. And trust me, if it was acceptable for a 20 year old to eat in that way, I would have done so with these donuts too. I mean they are just pure chocolate heaven!

These gluten free chocolate donuts are baked in the oven, which gives them a perfectly soft & moist cake-like texture and makes them a healthy option! They’re also topped with a thick & creamy homemade chocolate frosting and festive chocolate sprinkles. The result is a fun and beautiful double chocolate donut that tastes just as delicious as it looks!

a chocolate baked donut on a white background with a bite taken out

Ingredients needed for Chocolate Cake Donuts…

Chocolate baked donuts are made with healthy & wholesome ingredients, making them a better-for-you alternative to the typically heavy donut! This easy recipe is also completely gluten free and dairy free. Which means they are perfect celebratory treat for anyone with food sensitivities or allergies.

  • Almond Butter: I love to use nut butter as the base of my sweet treats! Almond butter works perfectly in this healthy donut recipe because of its neutral flavor and creamy texture. You will need 1/2 cup!
  • Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce adds extra moisture and natural sweetness to these donuts! Add 1/4 cup.
  • Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar is my favorite sugar to bake with! It is a refined sugar free sweetener with a rich and delicious flavor. This baked chocolate donut recipe calls for 1/2 cup!
  • Pure Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is my other favorite sweetener. 2 tbsp adds the perfect extra bit of sweetness here!
  • Almond Flour: The use of almond flour in this recipe makes for the perfect gluten free chocolate donuts! You’ll need 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp.
  • Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder makes these donuts deliciously rich and chocolatey! 1/4 cup is all you need.
  • Dairy Free Chocolate Chips: I always use semi sweet dairy free chocolate chips in my treats! They work perfectly in the thick and creamy frosting of these donuts. Use 1/2 cup!
  • Almond Milk: Almond milk is also used in the frosting! Add 2 tbsp of unsweetened vanilla almond milk or whatever milk you have on hand.
  • Eggs: Add 2 eggs for binding and moisture!
  • Vanilla Extract: I always add vanilla extract to my baked goods for that classic taste. 1 tsp is perfect for these chocolate donuts!
  • Baking Powder: 1/4 tsp of baking powder helps to bake these donuts to perfection!
  • Salt: Add 1/4 tsp of salt to balance out the sweet here!
  • Chocolate Sprinkles: Lastly, chocolate sprinkles! They are optional, but I highly recommend you add them and measure with your heart. So fun and festive!
gluten free chocolate donuts on a cooling rack

How to make Baked Chocolate Donuts from scratch…

These chocolate donuts are baked rather than fried like your classic donuts! This makes them not only a healthier option, but a much easier treat to whip up too. Bake Chocolate Donuts take no time at all … only a few minutes to mix up the batter and then 10 minutes in the oven to bake!

  1. Set the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl combine the almond butter, applesauce, eggs, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. Next add in the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.  Combine.
  4. Then grab & grease your donut pan and fill each donut about 3/4 of the way with the donut batter.  You should be able to make 9 donuts!
  5. Bake for 10 minutes.
  6. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
  7. While the donuts are cooling, start making the chocolate frosting.  Combine the chocolate chips and almond milk and melt until smooth.  I recommend doing this in a double boiler on the stove over low heat.
  8. To get the classic donut look, flip the donuts over and dip the bottom side into the chocolate frosting.  Optional: add the chocolate sprinkles at this point.
  9. Enjoy!

You will be enjoying this decadent chocolate treat before you even know it.

chocolate baked donuts

Kitchen tools needed for Gluten Free Baked Chocolate Donuts…

The most important kitchen tool for these baked donuts is a donut pan! You really can’t make this treat without one, but do not worry … donut pans are typically inexpensive and easy to find at Target or on Amazon. Here is the exact donut pan I use!

A donut pan is also a great purchase because once you have one you can make endless fun and delicious donut flavors. Like my pumpkin donuts with cream cheese frosting, white chocolate holiday donuts, or my sweet & simple classic baked donut recipe!

a close up shot of a healthy chocolate donut

How to store this Healthy Donut Recipe…

You can store these chocolate baked donuts in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature for 3-5 days! If these donuts are around any longer than that, which I doubt they will be, move to the refrigerator. They will last for 1-2 weeks in the fridge.

a hand taking a baked chocolate donut off of a cooling rack

Need more recipes for chocolate lovers? Check out these delicious ones…

Connect with me!

If you make Chocolate Baked Donuts or any of my other recipes, I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on instagram so I can see and share your recreations.

closeup shot of a stack of two gluten free donuts
overhead shot of healthy chocolate donuts on a cooling rack with sprinkles around

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Chocolate Baked Donuts

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Kayla Berman
  • Prep Time: 230 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 Minutes
  • Total Time: 4 hours
  • Yield: 9 Donuts 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

Chocolate Baked Donuts are a true chocolate lover’s dream!  These oven baked donuts have a soft cake-like texture, a rich & creamy homemade chocolate frosting, and fun & festive chocolate sprinkles on top.  Plus these healthy donuts are completely gluten free & dairy free. They’re an irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate treat! 

Ingredients

Scale

Donuts

Frosting

Instructions

  1. Set the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl combine the almond butter, applesauce, eggs, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  3. Next add in the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.  Combine.
  4. Then grab & grease your donut pan and fill each donut about 3/4 of the way with the donut batter.  You should be able to make 9 donuts!
  5. Bake for 10 minutes.
  6. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
  7. While the donuts are cooling, start making the chocolate frosting.  Combine the chocolate chips and almond milk and melt until smooth.  I recommend doing this in a double boiler on the stove over low heat.
  8. To get the classic donut look, flip the donuts over and dip the bottom side into the chocolate frosting.  Optional: add the chocolate sprinkles at this point.
  9. Enjoy!

Keywords: chocolate baked donuts, baked chocolate donut recipe, chocolate cake donuts baked, gluten free baked chocolate donuts, gluten free chocolate donuts, healthy chocolate donuts, healthy donut recipe

chocolate baked donuts