Baked Chocolate Cinnamon Doughnuts + Vanilla Glaze

 

My most favorite sweet treat of all time…the treat I’d pick over a cupcake, cookie, brownie, and a slice of pie (Gasp! It’s my runner-up, don’t worry!)…is a doughnut. That’s right, a doughnut. There is something so beautifully simple about a doughnut. And there is something so amazing about its potential. It’s like the ultimate canvas for me, a baking enthusiast.

One of the combinations I can’t get enough of lately is chocolate and cinnamon. When I get back from the gym in the late evening, I usually make a hot bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon and semi-sweet chocolate chips. I can’t eat it fast enough. Delicious.

 

My recent favorite flavor pairing was the inspiration for Baked Chocolate Cinnamon Doughnuts with Vanilla Glaze. I used an easy chocolate cake doughnut recipe, and I added enough cinnamon to get a good flavor without it overpowering the chocolate. I think the amount is perfect. The glaze is super-simple, and I added a tiny bit of red food coloring to get that vibrant pink color. Of course, sprinkles are a must. These darling Xs and Os are perfect to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

These baked doughnuts are truly a breeze to prepare. To make things extra-easy, I spoon my batter into a re-sealable plastic bag and then cut a small piece from the corner to squeeze the batter into the doughnut wells in the pan.

I hope you find the chocolate and cinnamon combination as tasty as I do. Make these for your family. Make these for your love. Make these for your co-workers. Make these for yourself. Just make them! You won’t be sorry.

Baked Chocolate Cinnamon Doughnuts

Adapted from: Shugary Sweets

1 cup flour

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup milk, room temperature
1 egg, room temperature
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. butter, melted and slightly cooled

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, salt, baking powder and baking soda. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the milk, egg, vanilla and butter. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until well incorporated.

Spray a doughnut pan with non-stick cooking spray. Fill each doughnut well about 3/4 full. Bake for 1o minutes or until the doughnut springs back when lightly pressed. Let the doughnuts cool in the pan for a minute or so and remove them from the pan. Make about 6 doughnuts.

Vanilla Glaze

Adapted from: Wilton

1 cup confectioner’s sugar

2 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Food coloring (I used “No-Taste Red” Wilton Icing Color)

While the doughnuts are cooling, make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together sugar, milk, vanilla and food coloring until a smooth liquid is formed. Dip tops of doughnuts in the glaze immediately and top with sprinkles.