Decadent Chocolate Peppermint Cake Donuts: A Festive Treat!
**Introduction:**
Welcome to a world where the rich, comforting taste of chocolate collides with the refreshing zing of peppermint! These Chocolate Peppermint Cake Donuts are the perfect festive treat to brighten up your holiday season or any day you crave a little indulgence. They are incredibly easy to make, yielding soft, moist, and utterly delicious donuts that will disappear in a flash. Forget the donut shop – with this recipe, you can enjoy bakery-quality donuts fresh from your own oven. Let’s dive into the recipe and explore the magic of chocolate and peppermint together.
**Why You’ll Love These Donuts:**
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it perfect for beginner bakers.
* **Festive Flavors:** The combination of chocolate and peppermint is a classic holiday pairing that everyone will adore.
* **Moist and Delicious:** These cake donuts are soft, tender, and full of flavor, unlike some dry store-bought varieties.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adjust the amount of peppermint extract or add different toppings to suit your preferences.
* **Perfect for Sharing:** These donuts are a crowd-pleaser, making them ideal for parties, potlucks, or holiday gatherings.
**Ingredients You’ll Need:**
Before we start baking, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients. This will ensure a smooth and efficient baking process.
**For the Donuts:**
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
* ½ teaspoon baking soda
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar – let sit for 5 minutes)
* 2 large eggs
* ¼ cup vegetable oil
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
* ½ cup hot coffee or hot water (this intensifies the chocolate flavor)
**For the Chocolate Glaze:**
* 2 cups powdered sugar
* ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* ¼ cup milk (or more, as needed)
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
* Pinch of salt
**For the Peppermint Topping (Optional):**
* Crushed peppermint candies
* Mini chocolate chips
* Sprinkles
**Equipment You’ll Need:**
* Two large mixing bowls
* Whisk
* Rubber spatula
* Donut pan (standard size)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Wire rack
* Piping bag or Ziploc bag (optional, for glazing)
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
Now that we have everything prepared, let’s get baking! Follow these detailed instructions to create your own batch of delectable Chocolate Peppermint Cake Donuts.
**1. Preheat and Prepare the Donut Pan:**
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure your oven rack is in the center position.
* Grease your donut pan thoroughly with cooking spray. Alternatively, you can grease it with butter and dust it with flour. This will prevent the donuts from sticking.
**2. Combine the Dry Ingredients:**
* In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, which is crucial for the texture of the donuts.
**3. Combine the Wet Ingredients:**
* In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Make sure the eggs are well beaten to incorporate air into the batter.
**4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:**
* Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed with an electric mixer or using a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough donuts. A few lumps are okay at this stage.
**5. Add Hot Coffee or Hot Water:**
* Slowly pour in the hot coffee or hot water while mixing on low speed or gently folding with a rubber spatula. The hot liquid will help to bloom the cocoa powder, intensifying the chocolate flavor and creating a smoother batter. The batter will be quite thin at this point, which is normal.
**6. Fill the Donut Pan:**
* Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off. This makes it easier to fill the donut cavities evenly without making a mess. Alternatively, you can use a spoon to carefully fill each cavity.
* Fill each donut cavity about ¾ full. Avoid overfilling, as the donuts will rise during baking and may spill over.
**7. Bake the Donuts:**
* Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the donuts.
* The donuts should be slightly golden brown and spring back when lightly touched.
**8. Cool the Donuts:**
* Remove the donut pan from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from sticking and allows them to cool evenly.
**9. Prepare the Chocolate Glaze:**
* While the donuts are cooling, prepare the chocolate glaze. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, milk, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and salt. Add more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the glaze reaches your desired consistency. It should be smooth and pourable.
**10. Glaze the Donuts:**
* Once the donuts are completely cool, dip each donut into the chocolate glaze, covering the top completely. You can dip them one at a time or place the donuts on the wire rack over a baking sheet and pour the glaze over them.
* Let the excess glaze drip off before placing the glazed donuts back on the wire rack to set.
**11. Add Peppermint Topping (Optional):**
* While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles over the donuts. This adds a festive touch and extra flavor.
**12. Let the Glaze Set:**
* Allow the glaze to set completely before serving or storing the donuts. This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
**Tips and Tricks for Perfect Donuts:**
* **Don’t Overmix the Batter:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough donuts. Mix until just combined.
* **Use Fresh Ingredients:** Fresh baking powder and baking soda are essential for a good rise. Check the expiration dates before using.
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking can make the donuts dry. Check for doneness at the minimum baking time.
* **Cool Completely Before Glazing:** Glazing warm donuts can cause the glaze to melt and run off.
* **Adjust Peppermint Extract to Taste:** Some people prefer a stronger peppermint flavor, while others prefer a more subtle hint. Adjust the amount of peppermint extract to your liking.
* **Use a Piping Bag for Easy Filling:** A piping bag makes it much easier to fill the donut cavities evenly and neatly.
* **Experiment with Toppings:** Get creative with your toppings! Try different sprinkles, chopped nuts, or even a drizzle of white chocolate.
**Variations and Substitutions:**
* **Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. You may need to add a little extra liquid to the batter.
* **Vegan:** Substitute the buttermilk with non-dairy milk (such as almond or soy milk) and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) in place of the eggs. Make sure your chocolate chips and sprinkles are also vegan.
* **Different Glaze Flavors:** Try a vanilla glaze, a maple glaze, or even a coffee glaze instead of the chocolate glaze.
* **Add Chocolate Chips to the Batter:** For extra chocolate flavor, fold in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips into the batter before baking.
* **Make Mini Donuts:** Use a mini donut pan to make bite-sized donuts. Adjust the baking time accordingly (usually a few minutes less).
**Serving Suggestions:**
* Serve these Chocolate Peppermint Cake Donuts with a cup of hot coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
* They make a wonderful addition to a holiday brunch or dessert table.
* Package them up in a decorative box or bag and give them as gifts to friends and family.
* Enjoy them as a sweet treat any time of day!
**Storage Instructions:**
* Store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They are best enjoyed fresh.
* You can also freeze the donuts for longer storage. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
**Detailed Recipe Card**
**Recipe Name:** Chocolate Peppermint Cake Donuts
**Yields:** Approximately 12 donuts
**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 10-12 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* **For the Donuts:**
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* ¾ cup granulated sugar
* ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
* ½ teaspoon baking soda
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar – let sit for 5 minutes)
* 2 large eggs
* ¼ cup vegetable oil
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
* ½ cup hot coffee or hot water
* **For the Chocolate Glaze:**
* 2 cups powdered sugar
* ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* ¼ cup milk (or more, as needed)
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
* Pinch of salt
* **For the Peppermint Topping (Optional):**
* Crushed peppermint candies
* Mini chocolate chips
* Sprinkles
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your donut pan thoroughly.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, oil, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Slowly pour in the hot coffee or hot water while mixing. The batter will be thin.
6. Transfer the batter to a piping bag or Ziploc bag and fill each donut cavity ¾ full.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Prepare the chocolate glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and salt. Add more milk until the desired consistency is reached.
10. Dip each cooled donut into the chocolate glaze and place them back on the wire rack to set.
11. While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles, if desired.
12. Let the glaze set completely before serving.
**Nutrition Information (approximate, per donut without toppings):**
* Calories: 250
* Fat: 12g
* Saturated Fat: 5g
* Cholesterol: 40mg
* Sodium: 200mg
* Carbohydrates: 35g
* Sugar: 20g
* Protein: 3g
**Conclusion:**
These Chocolate Peppermint Cake Donuts are a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With their rich chocolate flavor and refreshing peppermint twist, they are sure to be a hit with everyone. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of these irresistible donuts. Enjoy!