Baked Chocolate Fudge Glazed Doughnuts.

Welcoming the weekend with these Baked Chocolate Fudge Glazed Doughnuts. Made with maple syrup, cocoa powder, a small touch of coffee, and chocolate chips. Bake in the oven, then dip them into a creamy chocolate glaze that melts in your mouth. There’s really nothing not to love about these cute (and sweet) baked doughnuts. Better than any fried doughnuts – and much easier to make too. 

I didn’t always embrace baked doughnuts, but ever since making them last January, I’ve really had a lot of fun with them. I’ve said this before but frying things isn’t something I’ll do willingly. It’s usually a big mess…I hate splattering oil, not to mention it’s the unhealthiest way to cook. 

But, who doesn’t love a doughnut?  Something about doughnuts is just fun and playful. I think they remind many of us of our childhood days and bring back good memories. 

For me, my favorite memories of doughnuts as a kid were when my Papa would bring over doughnuts on Sunday mornings. He’d stop at a little nearby bakery after he and my Mimi went to church. It wasn’t every Sunday, but when he did, my brothers and I were very excited. 

Other than that, we really didn’t eat doughnuts growing up. My parents almost never bought them! 

My first choice pick was always, always, chocolate glazed, no sprinkles. I don’t really remember a second choice. I just remember that I LOVED the chocolate glaze. It was the glaze that did it for me, sweet and creamy. 

So, when I decided I wanted to bake doughnuts, I wanted something classic and more like the doughnuts I ate growing up. Enter these doughnuts. Light chocolate cake with notes of vanilla and coffee, topped with the BEST chocolate glaze (done 2 ways).

The doughnuts 

Start with the doughnuts. Since I wanted these to be made on the healthier side, I had three goals. No added processed sugar and less white flour.

The batter is simple. Mix eggs with maple syrup to sweeten, then add in some milk, vanilla, and vinegar.

For the flour, I like to use all whole wheat flour. You could also use a gluten-free flour blend if needed. The whole wheat flour is not only better for you, it actually helps to create a really nice texture and crumbs that are similar to a real-deal fried doughnut.

Once the batter is ready to go, just bake it up in a doughnut pan. Or if you don’t have a doughnut pan, make doughnut holes using either a regular muffin pan or a mini muffin pan. Either option works just the same, but be sure to really grease the pan before adding the batter. This is a stickier batter, so greasing the pans is essential.

The Glaze 

Oh, the glaze, or glazes I should say. They make doughnuts and both are so simple. Just chocolate chips and either oil or milk. 

If you use milk, you get a really creamy, dark, and rich glaze that stays softer on the doughnuts. It’s delicious and leaves you with chocolatey fingers. 

If you use oil, you’ll get a more stiff glaze that really sets up and hardens once the doughnuts cool. 

Both are equally delicious, it’s more of a texture thing. The chocolate + milk glaze is creamy and fudgy. While the chocolate + oil glaze is more firm, like milk chocolate. 

Once the doughnuts have baked, I like to let them cool completely, then dip them into the warm glaze. I recommend making the glaze just after you pull the doughnuts out of the oven. Then enjoy a few doughnuts while the glaze is still warm. Trust me, this is a very very good way to eat these.

And that’s it. Each bite is filled with sweet, fluffy cake and extra fudgy chocolate frosting.

Best kind of anyday-doughnut to bake, no reason required. 

Looking for other baked doughnuts? Here are my favorites: 

Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts with Cinnamon Maple Glaze

Baked Blueberry Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts

Baked Hot Chocolate Doughnuts

Lastly, if you make these Baked Chocolate Fudge Glazed Doughnut, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!