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Home » Recipes » Breakfast

Chocolate Mini Donuts

Published: October 26, 2021 Modified: Jan 2, 2022 by Cambrea Gordon. This post may contain affiliate links.

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chocolate donut pin.

These chocolate mini donuts are perfectly bite-sized, super easy to make, and are ready to eat in under 30 minutes!

chocolate mini donuts stacked on each other.
Chocolate mini donuts stacked on each other.

I just cannot live without an easy, baked chocolate donut recipe, and these mini chocolate donuts are just that! With just one bowl and a few ingredients, you will have fresh homemade donuts in less than 30 minutes!

You will love how soft and rich the donut is and it even has cinnamon toast crunch cereal incorporated into the batter for a fun twist.

They are the best for any breakfast, brunch, or snack and will make any occasion extra special!

Jump to:
  • why you'll love these chocolate mini donuts
  • ingredient notes
  • instructions
  • storage & freezing
  • expert baking tips
  • recipe notes
  • variations
  • faq's
  • more breakfast recipes you'll love
  • Recipe 📖

why you'll love these chocolate mini donuts

  • Soft and fluffy with a rich chocolate taste
  • Cinnamon toast crunch pieces give a fun cinnamon flavor
  • Baked, not fried!
  • Ready to eat in less than 30 minutes
  • Only a few simple ingredients are needed

ingredient notes

chocolate mini donut ingredients.
Chocolate mini donut ingredients.
  • Flour: you need all-purpose flour for this recipe and should not substitute it.
  • Cocoa powder: to get a donut that is super dark in color and rich in flavor, use a dutch processed cocoa powder.
  • Milk: you need regular 2% milk but you can substitute it for an alternative milk instead.
  • Cinnamon toast crunch: I used General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.

A complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below!

chocolate mini donut with a bite taken from it.

instructions

overview

  • Soak the cereal in the milk.
  • Make the donut batter.
  • Fill the batter into donut pan.
  • Bake the donuts.
  • Glaze the donuts.

step by step

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon toast crunch pieces and the milk. Set aside for 5 minutes to soak while you prepare the batter.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar.

  • chocolate mini donut cereal soaking.
  • mixing the butter and sugar for the chocolate mini donuts.

TIP- The cinnamon toast crunch cereal should be measured out first, then crushed into smaller pieces otherwise the batter will be too dense and dry.

Step 3: Add the egg to the bowl and whisk until smooth and fully combined.

Step 4: Add the bowl of milk and cereal to the batter and whisk to combine.

  • mixing the egg into the chocolate mini donut batter.
  • adding the soaked cereal to the chocolate mini donut batter.

TIP- Make sure the egg is room temperature otherwise it will re-solidify the melted butter.

Step 5: Add the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and whisk to combine.

Step 6: Use a spoon to fill the batter halfway in the mini donut pan. Place the donut pan on the middle rack in the oven and bake at 350 F/177 C for 7-8 minutes or until the top of the donut springs back when touched. Then let the pan cool on a wire rack before gently removing each one. Dip the top of the donut in the glaze and finish with more pieces of crushed cinnamon toast crunch.

  • mixing the chocolate mini donut batter.
  • the chocolate mini donut pan filled before baking.

TIP- Don't overfill the donut pan! They will not only take longer to bake but will spill out of the pan.

storage & freezing

  • Room temperature: Keep any leftovers on a tray wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.
  • Freezer: Place the un-glazed donuts in an airtight container and freeze for 1-2 weeks.

NOTE- Fresh, homemade donuts are naturally short-lived, unfortunately, so it's best to enjoy them the day they are made.

expert baking tips

  • Always spoon measure your flour when baking-This means using a spoon to fluff the flour first, then spoon it into your measuring cup. This will give the most accurate results when baking without a kitchen scale.
  • Measure the cereal before crushing- don't crush the cereal before measuring it or you will have too much of it and will end up with dense and dry texture.
  • Don't over mix the batter- over mixing will make them tough and dense.
  • Don't over bake them- over baking them will make them dry and crumbly.
  • Only fill the pan half way- if you over fill the pan, the batter might spill over the top and you will loose the hole in the middle of the donut.
  • Check the freshness of your ingredients- you should check the freshness of your baking powder and soda regularly to ensure baking success.
a bunch of chocolate mini donuts topped with cereal.

recipe notes

  • Don't refrigerate the batter- The batter has baking soda in it which will cause the batter to build air bubbles while in the fridge, giving them an airy texture once baked.
  • Yield- This recipe makes 24 mini donuts.
  • Halve the recipe- Cut the recipe in half to make just 12 mini donuts!

variations

  • Glaze
    • Vanilla glaze
    • Cinnamon glaze

faq's

How do I remove the donuts after baking?

Once the pan is completely cool, gently tilt the pan at an angle and use an offset spatula, your finger, or a knife to gently pull each one out of the pan.

Can I bake these in a regular-sized pan?

Yes! They will have a longer baking time, I would check them after 10-12 minutes of baking.

Do I need to grease the pan?

If your pan is new and nonstick you shouldn't need to spray or grease the pan. However, if you are using an older pan, I definitely recommend spraying it before adding the batter.

more breakfast recipes you'll love

  • Dark Chocolate Fudge Pop Tarts
  • Easy Chocolate Chip Muffins
  • Earl Grey Pancakes
  • Hot Honey Butter Biscuits

If you make this recipe, let me know how it went in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!

Recipe 📖

chocolate mini donuts stacked on each other.
5 from 3 votes
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Chocolate Mini Donuts

These chocolate mini donuts are perfectly bite sized, super easy to make, and are ready to eat in under 30 minutes! The chocolate donut base is soft, rich, and made with cinnamon toast crunch cereal for a fun twist.
Servings 24 servings
Prep 10 mins
Cook 8 mins
Total 18 mins
Course : Dessert
Cuisine : American
Author : Cambrea Gordon

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • whisk
  • Mini Donut Pan

Ingredients 
 

  • ½ cup cinnamon toast crunch cereal
  • ½ cup + 2 tbsp 2% milk
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup dutch process cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Glaze

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 3-4 tablespoon 2% milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cinnamon toast crunch pieces, for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F/177 C.
  • Crush the cinnamon toast crunch cereal into a small bowl and add the milk. Stir to combine, then set aside while you prep the batter.
    ½ cup cinnamon toast crunch cereal, ½ cup + 2 tablespoon 2% milk
  • In a medium bowl, add the melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar and whisk to combine.
    2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar
  • Add in the egg and whisk until smooth and combined.
    1 large egg, room temperature
  • Add the milk and soaked cereal to the bowl and whisk to combine.
  • Add the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to the bowl and whisk until JUST combined. Do not over mix!
    ⅔ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup dutch process cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • Spoon the batter into the donut pan until each spot is half full.
  • Bake the donuts on the middle rack for 7-8 minutes, or until the tops spring back when touched. Then let the pan cool on a wire rack for a few minutes.
  • Meanwhile make the glaze. Combine the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and cocoa powder in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
    2 cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 3-4 tablespoon 2% milk
  • When the donuts are cool, gently remove them from the pan. Dip them in the bowl of the glaze then sprinkle them with extra cinnamon toast crunch pieces.
    cinnamon toast crunch pieces, for topping

Notes

Step by step process photos are provided above, in the body of this post.
Expert Tips
  • Always spoon measure your flour when baking-This means using a spoon to fluff the flour first, then spoon it into your measuring cup. This will give the most accurate results when baking without a kitchen scale.
  • Don't over mix the batter- over mixing will make your donuts tough and dense.
  • Don't over bake them- over baking the donuts will make them dry and crumbly.
  • Only fill the pan half way- if you over fill the pan, the donuts might spill over the top and you will loose the hole in the middle of the donut.
  • Check the freshness of your ingredients- you should check the freshness of your baking powder and soda regularly to ensure baking success.
FAQ
  • Do I need to spray my donut pan?- You shouldn't need to if it's non stick and a newer pan. If your pan is older you can lightly spray it with non stick spray.
  • Can I bake them in a regular donut pan? Yes! They will need a longer baking time. I would start checking them after 10-12 minutes.
  • How do I remove the donuts once baked? Once the pan is cool, gently tip the pan up and use your finger, knife or offset spatula to gently pull them out of the pan.
 
If you make this recipe, let me know how it went in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 8.4g | Protein: 1.4g | Fat: 1.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.9g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 42mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 4.3g

The calorie information provided for the recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Barb says

    January 02, 2022 at 2:08 am

    5 stars
    These were delicious! Perfectly soft and moist. Wasn't sure about adding the cereal to it but it gave it a great flavor.

    Reply
  2. Michelle says

    October 26, 2021 at 8:26 pm

    5 stars
    Everyone loved these mini donuts. I was most curious about the cinnamon toast crunch addition and it ended up being so good! You could really taste the cereal, and the donut was really soft and moist. We made a half batch and I really wish we would have made the full one because they're almost gone!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Cambrea, a classically trained Pastry Chef turned Recipe Developer and Food Photographer. Here at Cambrea Bakes, you'll find modern twists on classic baked good recipes for any occasion.

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