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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Doughnuts, Eclairs & Cream Puffs

    Glazed Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Donuts

    Published: Nov 6, 2020 ยท Modified: Sep 26, 2023 by Emily Laurae ยท This post may contain affiliate links.

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    If you are a fan of coffee and treats for breakfast, youโ€™re going to love my Glazed Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Donuts. These delightfully caffeinated baked donuts are a sophisticatedly sweet way to greet the day!

    Chocolate & Espresso Doughnuts
    Jump to:
    • โญ Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipeย 
    • ๐ŸดIngredientsย 
    • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Equipment
    • ๐Ÿ“–ย Step by Step Instructions
    • ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿปโ€๐Ÿณ Expert Tips
    • ๐Ÿ’ญ Recipe FAQs
    • Other doughnut recipes to try
    • Glazed Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Donuts
    • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Comments

    โญ Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe 

    When I need a little extra pep in my step, Iโ€™ve been known to reach for a handful of chocolate-covered espresso beans. Even though they are technically candy, theyโ€™re sweet and bitter, with a complex flavor profile that makes me feel totally adult. 

    So when my Fiancรฉ gave me a donut pan as a gift, it was clear that I had to make a breakfast pastry that was both sweet and caffeinated like my beloved candy. This handy pan can be used to make apple cider donuts, coconut donuts and pecan chocolate donuts as well - a total win!

    Whether you spell them โ€œdonutsโ€ or โ€œdoughnuts,โ€ one thing remains the same - theyโ€™re delicious! These simple and delightfully moist chocolate cake donuts are enrobed in a beautiful mocha-inspired glaze for a breakfast goodie that is 100% worth getting out of bed for. 

    Best of all, these baked donuts are SO EASY to make! With just 20 minutes of prep time, you can get these tasty treats on the table in under an hour. I donโ€™t know about you, but thatโ€™s faster than I could drive to my favorite donut shop. Good morning, indeed!

    Chocolate & Espresso Doughnuts

    ๐ŸดIngredients 

    Most of the ingredients for these baked espresso chocolate donuts are pretty self-explanatory. However, there are a few notes Iโ€™d like to share:

    • Black Cocoa Powder - This heavily Dutched cocoa powder lends rich color and deep chocolatey flavor to these baked donuts. If you are unable to procure it, regular Dutch-process cocoa powder is an acceptable substitute.
    • Unsalted Butter - When possible, reach for cultured, grass-fed, and organic butter. If you are dairy-free, you can swap in cultured vegan butter instead.
    • Whole Milk - Whole milk has a higher milk fat than other types of dairy milk, and fat yields a more tender crumb. If you are dairy-free, opt for a rich plant-based alternative like full-fat coconut milk.
    • Sour Cream - You can also use full-fat Greek yogurt if thatโ€™s all you have in the fridge. You can also sub in your favorite plant-based alternatives if you prefer.
    • Corn Syrup - Corn syrup prevents sugar from crystallizing. You can also use honey in its place.
    • Coffee Butter - Compound coffee butter is one of the most delectable spreads youโ€™ll ever come across. While this is an optional ingredient, I suggest you give it a try - youโ€™ll want to slather it on everything from pancakes to toast.
    • Hot Coffee - Feel free to use some of your morning brew, or dissolve instant espresso or coffee powder in hot water instead.
    • Dark Chocolate - When it comes to chocolate, quality varies widely. Be sure to choose the best possible chocolate that fits within your budget - I like Callebaut, Guittard, Ghiradelli, Scharffen Berger, and Valhrona.

    ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Equipment

    Aside from a donut pan, you really donโ€™t need much in terms of equipment. These are the items youโ€™ll need to assemble:

    • Doughnut Baking Pan - You canโ€™t make baked donuts without a doughnut baking tray. If you arenโ€™t convinced that you need yet another gadget to store, I can honestly say I'm a believer. Theyโ€™re totally worth it! I've loved playing with all the different doughnuts, flavors, and glazes you can make using this tray as a mold.
    • Pastry Bag or Ziplock Bag - The most difficult part about making baked donuts is getting the batter into the pan. A piping bag comes in handy here, but you can easily use a ziplock bag with the corner cut off in its place.
    • Toothpicks - Checking cake donuts for doneness is the same as checking cakes; youโ€™ll need a toothpick or skewer to poke them!
    Chocolate & Espresso Doughnuts

    ๐Ÿ“– Step by Step Instructions

    Baked Doughnuts

    First off, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

    In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and black cocoa powder then set aside.

    Then in a larger bowl, whisk together the butter, egg, sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and sour cream, mixing together until fully combined.

    Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

    Next, itโ€™s time to pipe the doughnut batter into your doughnut baking pan. Spray the donut pan with a light layer of non-stick cooking spray.

    Pipe the doughnut batter into your doughnut pan filling just over halfway, then place the tray in the oven to bake for 11-12 minutes. After the doughnuts pass the toothpick test, remove them from the oven and let cool on a baking tray. 

    Do not glaze doughnuts until they have completely cooled. You can remove them to a wire cooling rack to speed up the process if you so desire.

    Chocolate Icing Assembly 

    Whisk together powdered sugar, corn syrup, salt, coffee butter, melted chocolate, and hot coffee in a medium bowl to make your glaze. Dip the tops of the doughnuts into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. 

    NOTE: If your glaze starts to harden, pop it in the microwave for a few moments and you'll be good to go.

    Espresso Chocolate Garnish

    Sprinkling espresso powder and chopped coffee peans on top of the slightly dry glaze is a fun way to add a pop of color, texture, and aroma. It also adds to the appearance of the doughnut, though let's be real... there's absolutely NOTHING wrong with a purely chocolate doughnut!

    Chocolate & Espresso Doughnuts

    ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿปโ€๐Ÿณ Expert Tips

    • Eat soon after baking for the best results. Technically, you can store these chocolate cake doughnuts in an air-tight container in a dry, cool space for up to three days. This being said, I would highly recommend baking and enjoying these doughnuts rather promptly! Doughnuts are best straight from the oven or fryer as their cake-like consistency can dry out quite quickly.
    • Remember that cake donuts are just tiny cakes! Before you go psyching yourself out over making homemade donuts, remember - baked donuts are basically mini versions of cake! If you have made a cake from scratch - from batter to bake - then you already know what youโ€™re doing!
    • Want these cake donuts to taste even more like coffee? Swap out half of the vanilla extract for coffee extract instead!

    ๐Ÿ’ญ Recipe FAQs

    Can I make decaf espresso chocolate donuts?

    To a point, yes! Feel free to use decaf coffee in the glaze. However, you should note that both decaf coffee and chocolate have some caffeine, so no matter what you do, they will not be entirely caffeine-free.

    Is it possible to make vegan chocolate cake donuts with this recipe?

    While I havenโ€™t tried it, my baking experience leads me to believe that you should be able to. Simply opt for all plant-based dairy substitutes and trade out the egg for a flax egg (1 tablespoon of flaxseed + 3 tablespoons of water) or ยผ cup of applesauce. Do let me know in the comments if you gave this a try!

    Why didnโ€™t my cake doughnuts rise?

    Sounds like you mightโ€™ve made the mistake of not preheating the oven. When baking powder comes into contact with liquid, it immediately begins to react. If you waited to preheat the oven until after the batter was made, you lost out on the initial chemical reaction. If that wasnโ€™t the case, you may want to check that your baking powder hasnโ€™t expired.

    Can I make these gluten-free?

    While I myself havenโ€™t attempted it with this recipe, you should be able to make a cup-for-cup swap of an all-purpose gluten-free flour mix.

    Other doughnut recipes to try

    • Choux ร  la Crรจme on a serving plate in the kitchen.
      How to Make Choux ร  la Crรจme (French Vanilla Cream Puffs)
    • Custard donuts filled with pastry cream.
      How to Make Custard Donuts filled with Vanilla Pastry Cream
    • Creme brulee donuts on a plate.
      Crรจme Brรปlรฉe Donuts โ€“ A French-Inspired Twist on Classic Donuts
    • Chocolate old fashioned donuts with chocolate glaze.
      Chocolate Old Fashioned Donuts with Chocolate Glaze - Perfect for Brunch!

    If you try the recipe for this Chocolate & Espresso Doughnuts, please leave a ๐ŸŒŸ review and share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter! ๐Ÿ“ง 

    Chocolate & Espresso Doughnuts

    Glazed Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Donuts

    If you are a fan of coffee and treats for breakfast, youโ€™re going to love my Glazed Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean Donuts. These delightfully caffeinated baked donuts are a sophisticatedly sweet way to greet the day!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 11 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 31 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 Doughnuts
    Calories: 386kcal
    Author: Emily Laurae

    Equipment

    • Bowls
    • Whisk
    • Spatula
    • Piping Bag or Ziplock Bag
    • Doughnut Baking Pan
    • Toothpicks

    Ingredients

    Chocolate Doughnuts

    • 2 Cups (250 g) All-Purpose Flour
    • 2 teaspoon Baking powder
    • ยฝ teaspoon Salt
    • ยผ teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 3 tablespoon Black Cocoa Powder
    • 2 tablespoon (30 g) Unsalted Butter, Melted and Cooled
    • 1 Large Egg
    • โ…“ Cup (66 g) Granulated Sugar
    • ยฝ Cup (120 g) Whole Milk
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • ยฝ Cup (115 g) Sour Cream

    Espresso Icing & Garnishย 

    • 4 ยฝ Cups (450 g) Powdered Sugar
    • 2 teaspoon Corn Syrup, or Honey
    • Pinch of Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Coffee Butter, Optional
    • ยผ Cup (75 g) Hot Coffee
    • โ…” Cup (115 g) Dark Chocolate, Melted
    • Chopped Coffee Beans, For Garnish

    Instructions

    Chocolate & Espresso Doughnutsย 

    • First off, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F before making your doughnut batter.
    • In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda and black cocoa powder then set aside.
      2 Cups All-Purpose Flour, 2 teaspoon Baking powder, ยฝ teaspoon Salt, ยผ teaspoon Baking Soda, 3 tablespoon Black Cocoa Powder
    • Then in a larger bowl, whisk together the butter, egg, sugar, milk, vanilla extract and sour cream mixing together until everything has fully combined.
      2 tablespoon Unsalted Butter, 1 Large Egg, โ…“ Cup Granulated Sugar, ยฝ Cup Whole Milk, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, ยฝ Cup Sour Cream
    • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until combined.
    • Next, itโ€™s time to pipe the doughnut batter into your doughnut baking pan. Spray the donut pan with a light layer of non-stick cooking spray.
    • Pipe the doughnut batter into your doughnut pan filling just over halfway, then place the tray in the oven to bake for 11-12 minutes. After the doughnuts pass the toothpick test, remove them from the oven and let cool on a baking tray. Do not glaze doughnuts until they have completely cooled.

    Chocolate Icing Assembly & Garnishย 

    • Whisk together powdered sugar, corn syrup/honey, salt, coffee butter, melted chocolate and hot coffee in a medium bowl to make your glaze. Dip the tops of the doughnuts into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. If your glaze starts to harden, pop it in the microwave for a few moments and you'll be good to go! As the glaze starts to set on your doughnuts, sprinkle some chopped coffee beans, espresso powder on top for garnish!
      4 ยฝ Cups Powdered Sugar, 2 teaspoon Corn Syrup, Pinch of Salt, 1 teaspoon Coffee Butter, ยผ Cup Hot Coffee, โ…” Cup Dark Chocolate, Chopped Coffee Beans

    Notes

    Tips & Tricks
    • Eat soon after baking for the best results. Technically, you can store these chocolate cake doughnuts in an air-tight container in a dry, cool space for up to three days. This being said, I would highly recommend baking and enjoying these doughnuts rather promptly! Doughnuts are best straight from the oven or fryer as their cake-like consistency can dry out quite quickly.
    • Remember that cake donuts are just tiny cakes! Before you go psyching yourself out over making homemade donuts, remember - baked donuts are basically mini versions of cake! If you have made a cake from scratch - from batter to bake - then you already know what youโ€™re doing!
    • Want these cake donuts to taste even more like coffee? Swap out half of the vanilla extract for coffee extract instead!
    ย 
    FAQs
    • Can I make decaf espresso chocolate donuts? To a point, yes! Feel free to use decaf coffee in the glaze. However, you should note that both decaf coffee and chocolate have some caffeine, so no matter what you do, they will not be entirely caffeine-free.
    • Is it possible to make vegan chocolate cake donuts with this recipe? While I havenโ€™t tried it, my baking experience leads me to believe that you should be able to. Simply opt for all plant-based dairy substitutes and trade out the egg for a flax egg (1 tablespoon of flaxseed + 3 tablespoons of water) or ยผ cup of applesauce.
    • Why didnโ€™t my cake doughnuts rise? Ooops! Sounds like you mightโ€™ve made the mistake of not preheating the oven. When baking powder comes into contact with liquid, it immediately begins to react. If you waited to preheat the oven until after the batter was made, you lost out on the initial chemical reaction.If that wasnโ€™t the case, you may want to check that your baking powder hasnโ€™t expired.
    • Can I make these gluten-free? While I myself havenโ€™t attempted it with this recipe, you should be able to make a cup-for-cup swap of an all-purpose gluten-free flour mix.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 158IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 2mg
    Enjoyed this recipe?Mention @emilylaurae or tag #emilylaurae!

    More Doughnuts, Eclairs and Cream Puffs

    • Frying cake donuts with oil bubbling in a fryer.
      Best Oil for Frying Donuts
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      How to Make Brioche Donuts โ€“ Soft, Buttery & Fried to Perfection
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      How to Make Bakery-Style Brioche Donuts filled with Luscious Lemon Cream
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      How to Make Classic Bavarian Cream Donuts at Home

    About Emily Laurae

    Emily is the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Emily Laurae. After finishing Pastry School and working as a chef in the restaurant industry, she created this blog to share those skills with home bakers and creators all over the world!

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