Our small batch of chocolate chip donuts are moist, full of chocolate chips, and ready in less than 30 minutes. Homemade baked donuts are great for a delicious family treat or small gathering. Easily double or triple this recipe to meet your needs.
Is it a donut or a doughnut? I’m pretty sure it’s the latter, but since we’re not making a “dough” I’ll call it a donut. Glad we worked that out! Baked donuts are essentially cake donuts. No yeast donuts are still tasty!
This recipe for chocolate chip baked donuts is a perfect introduction to baked donuts. No need to make a big mess making fried donuts. Need more donuts in your life? Try my favorite pumpkin spice baked donuts! More chocolate chips screaming your name? Check out my chocolate chip muffins.
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Important Ingredients with Substitutions
- All-purpose flour - I always recommend sifting your dry ingredients, if anything at least the flour. To avoid using too much flour, measure the flour using either a kitchen scale or the fluff, scoop, and level method. Simply fluff the flour with your spoon, scoop it into your measuring cup, then level it with a butter knife. Without a scale, this should give your the most accurate amount of flour.
- White granulated sugar - Sift the white sugar before using it to break up any clumps that may have formed.
- Buttermilk - You can easily make your own buttermilk if you don't have any on hand. For this recipe: Add 1 ½ teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring up, then fill with milk to the ½ cup line. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes. Sour cream or Greek yogurt would be a great buttermilk replacement.
- Vanilla extract - Pure vanilla extract is ideal, you can also use a vanilla paste.
- Unsalted butter - The unsalted butter will be melted. If using salted butter, just omit the salt from the recipe.
- Mini chocolate chips - Mini chocolate chips work best in baked donuts since the donuts themselves are rather small. You can use any mini chips you can find. I like milk chocolate, but you can also use semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate.
Chocolate Glaze Ingredients
- Milk chocolate chips - It isn't necessary to have mini chips for this. You could even use a chocolate bar. Get creative here!
- Unsalted butter
- Light corn syrup
- Vanilla extract
See the recipe below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
Instructions for baked chocolate chip donuts
Preheat oven to 350 F, and lightly grease a donut pan with non stick baking spray.
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
Step 2: In the same mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
Step 3: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips.
Step 4: Spoon the batter into a piping bag, or large ziplock bag then pipe into the prepared donut pan.
Step 5: Bake donuts for 12-15 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 6: Let the donuts cool in the pan for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Instructions for chocolate glaze
- In a small saucepan, melt together the milk chocolate chips, butter, and corn syrup over low heat. Stir until combined and smooth.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Once the donuts are cooled, dip the top of them into the chocolate glaze, letting any excess drip off.
- Return the donuts to the wire rack to let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.
Level Up with a Top Tip!
Hint: The chocolate glaze can also be made in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave. Heat in 30-second increments to avoid burning.
Recipe Variations
- Add more mini chocolate chips to the chocolate glaze on top.
- Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour for a healthier option.
- Top these baked chocolate chip donuts with sprinkles to match your specific party needs.
- Use a mini doughnut pan for even smaller bites.
Storage Recommendations
Store in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 3 days. Cake doughnuts stored in the refrigerator will dry out faster.
Can I freeze baked doughnuts? Freeze unglazed in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw for a few hours before glazing and serving!
Level Up With Expert Tips & Tricks
You can easily make your own buttermilk if you don't have any on hand. For this recipe: Add 1 ½ teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring up, then fill with milk to the ½ cup line. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes.
I love using non stick baking spray, since it contains flour as well. Non stick cooking spray will work too.
Make sure that you sift all dry ingredients before adding them – this helps avoid any lumps from forming in your batter!
Measure out all ingredients accurately – this is very important so that you get consistent results every time!
Remember not to overmix – stop mixing when your batter is just combined for light and fluffy donuts!
Allow enough time for cooling before dipping them in the glaze – it’s best if you let freshly baked donuts sit uncovered on a cooling rack for about 30 minutes (at least!) before dipping them in the glaze. If you’re under a time constraint, put them in the fridge to cool completely before glazing.
Have fun decorating finished donuts with other toppings like sprinkles or nuts if desired – get creative here and make some delicious treats!!
Recipe FAQs
You can still enjoy homemade baked donuts without a donut pan. Pour your donut batter into a regular or mini muffin pan. Bake until golden.
Similar Sweets
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Chocolate Chip Donuts
Equipment
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup White granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon Baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Buttermilk
- 1 Egg
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter melted and cooled
- ½ cup Mini chocolate chips
Glaze
- ½ cup Milk chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon Corn syrup
- ¼ teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F, and spray a donut pan with non stick baking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and mix until combined.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
- Spoon the batter into a piping bag, or plastic bag then pipe into the prepared donut pan.
- Bake donuts for 12-15 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Glaze Instructions
- In a small saucepan, melt together the milk chocolate chips, butter, and corn syrup over low heat.
- Stir until combined and smooth.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Once the donuts are cooled, dip the top of them into the chocolate glaze, letting any excess drip off.
- Return the donuts to the wire rack to let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.
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