Baked Chocolate Donuts from a Cake Mix with Sprinkles

Can you eat chocolate cake for breakfast? The answer is YES! Especially if it's served in the shape of a donut. These baked chocolate donuts are another cake mix hack recipe that are topped with chocolate frosting and chocolate sprinkles are delicious and perfect for breakfast or any time of day! 

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My husband and children love donuts, especially chocolate donuts. When Michael was younger, he especially loved chocolate frosted donuts. A few years ago I purchased a donut pan from Amazon and it really is so easy to make your own homemade donuts with one! 

These donuts are a little different than the Chocolate Glazed Donuts that are very popular on the blog. Those donuts use a homemade recipe, while this recipe for Baked Chocolate Donuts starts out with a cake mix. And you all know how much I love using cake mixes!

Starting a recipe with a cake mix is one of my favorite baking hacks. It's an easy way to enjoy bakery style baked goods without any real effort on your part. There's no need for measuring and there's no real worry about making a mistake. 

Helpful Kitchen Tools

• Large Gallon Freezer Bag  - use to help you fill the donut pan with the batter. 
• Chocolate Sprinkles
• Donut pan

Ingredients

Make sure you print out the recipe below and save it for later! 

This recipe makes approximately 18-24 donuts depending on how full you fill the donut pan. 

• 1 box of chocolate cake mix, any brand
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• Chocolate frosting, any brand
• Chocolate sprinkles

Directions 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray the 6 count donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Combine the chocolate cake mix with the water, oil and egg.
3. Scoop the batter into the gallon freezer bag.
4. Seal the bag and snip one corner with kitchen scissors.
5. Gently squeeze the batter into the donut wells, filling each about ¾ full (see photos and instructions below for filling the bag).
6. Bake 12-14 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
8. Remove the donuts from the donut pan, and repeat the baking process with the rest of the donut batter.
9. Once the donuts have cooled, heat the frosting in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. You want it soft but not completely melted.
10. Generously frost each chocolate donut with chocolate frosting and then dip in the chocolate sprinkles.

How to Fill the Donut Pan

The very first time I used my donut pan, it was a mess. I couldn't figure out how to get the batter into the donut wells without making a huge mess. I tried using spoons and a cookie scoop but it still didn't make it easy. 

Here's how I fill a donut pan now: 

• Take a large plastic storage bag or a disposable decorating bag, and place it inside a large drinking glass or tall jar. 
• Cuff the excess bag over the sides of the glass. 
• Make sure the inside of the bag is smooth by pressing it to the sides of the drinking glass. 
• Spoon the batter into the bag using a spatula being careful not to fill it all the way up or the batter will overflow once you start squeezing. 
• Gently lift the bag out of the glass jar and squeeze it gently to work the batter down into the bottom of the bag. 
• Twist the end of the bag and snip one corner with the kitchen scissors.
• Gently squeeze the batter into the wells of the donut pan. 

Baking Instructions

• Bake the donuts for 12 to 14 minutes or until a toothpick inserted inside the donuts come out clean. 
• Once the donuts have cooled, heat the frosting in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds.
• Be careful not to overheat the frosting. You want it soft but not completely melted which will happen if you overheat it. 
• Generously frost each chocolate donut with chocolate frosting and then dip in the chocolate sprinkles.

How Long do Baked Donuts Last?

• If you have leftovers, you can store the freshly baked donuts in a plastic container. 
• Store them in the refrigerator for about a week. 
• But these donuts are so delicious, they may not last that long! 

Can you Freeze Baked Donuts? 

• Yes! Again, if you have leftovers or if you want to plan ahead for a special breakfast celebration, you can easily freeze the donuts before frosting. You can try to freeze them with the icing and sprinkles, but they may get mushy when you defrost them. 
• Place the baked, cooled donuts on a baking tray that's been lined with parchment paper in a single layer, do not stack them. 
• Place the baking tray in the freezer and allow the donuts to freeze for about an hour. 
• Remove the frozen donuts from the baking tray and place in a freezer safe container or plastic bag. 
• When you're ready to serve the donuts, remove them from the freezer and allow them to come to room temperature. 
• Frost the donuts according to the instructions above! 

More Easy Cake Mix Dessert Recipes: 

• Chocolate Sugar Cookies 
• Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
• Four Different Cake Mix Cookie Recipes 
• Chocolate Chunk Muffins