These rich chocolate frosted chocolate donuts are an easy and crazy delicious Paleo dessert! Kids love them and they’re fun to make. No one would guess they’re gluten free, dairy free, paleo and even nut free.
Want more paleo baking recipes that taste just like the real deal? Purchase my book, Paleo Baking at Home here!
I know I’m not alone in my cravings for frosted chocolate donuts, or at least I hope I’m not!? Either way, I have a feeling you’re going to like what you see today – and taste, of course. Healthier baked chocolate donuts with a frosting/glaze that actually spoke to my soul. Well, I mean the part of my soul reserved for happy dessert memories. We all have that right? I hope? Anyway, these chocolate donuts – which are Paleo and also happen to be nut free – are pure-happy-making, I assure you.
I made these 3 times, mainly because I wasn’t happy with my donut pan the first two times. You see, the problem I have with baking donuts sometimes, is that whole “stick factor”. Since you’re not using parchment liners, the risk of sticking to the pan is anxiety inducing at the very least – the reality of it can actually be crazy making.
My solution? I finally decided to go with a silicone donut pan. I typically reserve silicone molds for things like chocolates and gummies, since the material can increase baking times and change the way baked goods rise in the oven. However, for easy removal (and piece of mind!) plus a perfectly circular, donut-y sort of donut, the silicone donut pan is the way to go. A lifesaver, actually!
Another fun, new, and crazy delicious discovery with these donuts was the GLAZE! On a whim, I decided to purchase Nutiva organic shortening at my local grocery store, since it happened to be right next to everything else I needed for the recipe.
It contains a blend of organic unrefined palm fruit oil, unrefined red palm oil, and unrefined virgin coconut oil, and stays solid at a higher temperature than the regular coconut oil I typically use. Perfect for a glaze! And heck YES – it was!
The glaze/frosting couldn’t be easier – you simply melt the shortening along with raw cacao and maple syrup until shiny, remove from heat and add a bit of vanilla extract. My kids legitimately thought it tasted like “milk chocolate”, whatever that tastes like – I’m not even sure I remember.
But anyway, they LOVED it, along with the donuts – all 3 batches, in fact. I wound up freezing the last batch, since by that point we were on donut overload, and they defrosted really nicely too even with the glaze.
For the final picture-perfect batch, I couldn’t resist adding sprinkles – and if I’m honest, my kids were begging for me to add sprinkles to these to make them legit. If you choose to add them, you can either make your own using shredded coconut, as I did for my chocolate cupcakes, or for the healthiest “most Paleo” store bought organic sprinkles, you can purchase the Let’s Do Organic ones which contain just a few simple ingredients.
I hope you’re craving chocolate now, because it’s time to bake! And make frosting you’ll want to eat with a spoon. Make a double batch, I won’t tell! Are you ready? Let’s go!
Chocolate Frosted Chocolate Donuts {GF, Paleo & Nut Free}
Chocolate Frosted Chocolate Donuts {GF, Paleo, Nut Free}
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 4 eggs room temp
- 2/3 cup organic coconut oil melted and cooled to almost room temp*
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 4 1/2 Tbsp coconut flour
- 2 tbsp tapioca flour
- 1/3 cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp salt
- Coconut sprinkles or store bought organic sprinkles optional
For the Glaze:
- 1/4 cup palm oil shortening or unsalted grassfed butter, or refined coconut oil***
- 2 tbsp raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and prepare your donut pan by lightly greasing with coconut oil. (I highly recommend using a silicone donut pan or a proven non-stick pan for easy removal!)
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In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer or whisk to cream together the eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla. In a smaller bowl, combine the coconut flour, tapioca flour, cacao, baking soda and salt.
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Whisk or blend the dry mixture into the wet until fully combined and a thick batter forms. Use a plastic bag with a 1/2-1" cut made in the corner to pipe the batter into the donut molds** - it will make 6-7 full size donuts.
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Bake at 350 15-18 mins or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 mins in the pan, then release each donut carefully to wire racks to fully cool.
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While the donuts cool, make the glaze. Melt shortening over very low heat until almost melted, then whisk in cacao and maple until a shiny glaze forms. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
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Glaze donuts immediately by drizzling or spreading with a spoon/spatula, allow glaze to cool before serving, it will remain soft but solid at room temp. If using sprinkles, add them when the glaze has cooled about halfway.
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Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze in a sealed container for longer. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*To minimize coconut flavor, you can use organic refined coconut oil
**You can also spoon the mixture into the molds, or use a piping bag. I found the plastic bag to be the easiest option!
***Coconut oil is my least favorite option for the frosting, since it tends to separate, however, it's still good as a last option.
Nutrition
Products I Recommend to Make My Chocolate Frosted Chocolate Donuts:
Want More Paleo Chocolate Dessert Recipes? Try one of these!
Chocolate Chip Donuts with Rich Chocolate Ganache
Chocolate Raspberry Fudge Brownies
Tell Me!
Do you have a donut pan?
Have you used organic shortening or palm shortening in recipes?
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Just stumbled upon ur blog. Love the recipe, will have to try in and share it! Maybe we can blogger-connect sometime
Saludos!
Hi! Can you please let me know if Gelatin eggs can be used in place of eggs? I am currently on the AIP diet. -Thank you!
A while back, I purchased a silicone donut pan and have not used it. I will use it now with this recipe. My little man loves chocolate donuts!
I think my eyes just popped when I saw how beautiful these were; chocolate donuts are so good, and I love that you perfected this paleo version of them; they look like the cake ones in the case at the store, except they aren’t… YUM!
One word : wow! They are so pretty!!
Thank you!
LOVED this recipe. My kids enjoyed them so much they beg me to make them practically every day!
So happy you guys liked them! This is a favorite for us too 🙂
I do not have any tapioca flour- would I be able to substitute with almond or coconut flour? If so, what ratio? Thanks! These look so good!
I would use 5tbsp total of coconut flour and you should be good! So you’re really just adding 1/2 tbsp since a little goes a long way. Let me know how it goes!
Do you know if this works with electric donut maker?
I tried it and it worked! I did 8 mins in the donut maker. These are amazing!
So glad they turned out well!!
Maybe I did something wrong. While my batch looks delicious – they don’t taste delicious. They don’t have any desert taste to them.
Can you describe what they are supposed to taste like so I can know if I did something wrong. Thanks!
Dessert thank you AutoCorrect
They’re supposed to taste good so I’m not sure what went wrong! Have you done a lot of paleo baking and are you familiar with the ingredients? While these aren’t overly sweet, they definitely have a great dark chocolate flavor to them. Was it both the frosting and donut part that didn’t taste good?
I’m new to the no sugar thing. That could be part of the problem lol
When I bite into it – it almost has a coconut oil taste.
Hummm. But they look delicious!
But maybe it will keep me from eating the whole batch ha!
I also made your pumpkin bread. I didn’t care too much for it either right after I made it. I let that sit over night and it was good today! Real good. That I will make again.
Thanks for replying & sharing
If you’re not into coconut oil flavor, definitely use organic refined, since refined coconut oil is totally flavorless. In a recipe like this one with a lot of coconut oil, it makes a difference for sure. Here’s the one I use: http://amzn.to/2w2qr12
I am going to try it again with your oil. My husband ateabout half of them (I made mini muffin shape) and my co worker today loved them. So it’s me lol ! Giving 5 star lol
I would do a 21 day sugar detox that you find online. Your sweet taste buds need a reset.
Do you have a video for this recipe? Would love to see a video!
Michelle – these are AWESOME, thank you! I doubled the recipe to make 12 donuts in a standard nonstick donut pan and it worked perfectly. Our house is a no refined sugar mainly paleo group but my eldest (22) has a nut allergy so most paleo recipes are a no-go when he’s home. To be able to make “safe: donuts for all my kiddos that I also can feel good about is priceless. The chocolate frosting (I cooled mine in the refrig to thicken it) was lovely and rich. Huge hit and much appreciated ❤️
Ugh, sorry, Michele – hate it when I spell people’s names wrong, especially since no one ever gets mine right! Anyway, thanks again for the nut-free baking option. When oldest isn’t home, we love the almond flour/butter recipes, but having some super tasty “safe” is great. That being said, Husband just told me to let you know that these were his favorite donuts, paleo or non-paleo, EVER. Well done!
Haha no worries about my name, I swear I don’t notice lol! So happy you guys liked these – amazing review from your husband!!
Just to double check, I noticed next to some of the ingredients it says Tbsp or tbsp. Making sure these are both meaning tablespoon. I always though T-was tablespoon and tsp-was teaspoon. Just don’t want to mess these up! Thank you, looks delicious!!
TBSP or tbsp means tablespoon, TSP or tsp is teaspoon
Hi Michelle these donuts were amazing!
I am wanting to try a plain donut. What do you recommend instead of adding the cocoa powder?
I have another donut recipe that’s vanilla with chocolate chips – you can omit the chocolate chips:
Can these be made vegan without the eggs, flax eggs maybe?
I’m not sure since coconut flour usually needs eggs!
These were delicious!
Tender, tasty, chocolate goodness. This recipe definitely fulfills any craving you may have for chocolate baked goods. The crumb was more like a cupcake than doughnut, but I didn’t mind at all. I will be making these again!
Any suggestions on how to make these vanilla donuts?
Everything I make from this site has turned out delicious – including these donuts. I followed the directions to a “T” as I always do, and I also always read Michele’s blurbs on the recipes. They give just a little more information that helps with the bake. I can’t thank you enough for how precise you are in putting these recipes together. I so appreciate knowing that when I cook/bake any of your recipes they will be amazing.
I serve these recipes to everyone I invite over and no one is the wiser at how healthy they are eating (and I get to enjoy it as well). THANK YOU! And I have pre-ordered your book – March cannot come soon enough.
could you use agave or honey instead of the maple syrup?
My husband and I plus our two children have been paleo for over a year now. I just recently stumbled upon this recipe and as someone who has always loved sweets I had to try this!! These donuts are hands down aaaaamaziingg! So chocolately and rich! Michele you are a master in the kitchen! My favourite paleo treat hands down!!
I just have to tell you how thrilled I am! I used this in a metal car/truck mold (think detailed car/truck shaped cupcakes) and they came out beautiful! I wasn’t sure a paleo recipe would hold right, but yes! And so quick and easy, even my 6yo commented on it. Thank you!
Paleo Running Momma!!!!!!!! You are an AMAZING baker! This recipe is so simple my husband… my HUSBAND! was able to make these for my birthday today…and I enjoyed them GUILT FREE! Looking forward to sharing this recipe with EVERYONE I know! So. Good!
delicious!! thank you, my icing seperated. looked good one second and the next it was oiling and clumpy, what did I do wrong? temp too hot? I used low. made due but they don’t look glossy and didnt go on smooth
I can’t wait to make these with my kids as a corona-virus project! What a world.
Please reconsider using palm oil when you cook. Orangutans will go extinct if we keep decimating their habitat for palm oil <3
These were delicious and easy! My husband declared them better than the national-chain donut he had just eaten. I whipped these up while the family made their weekend donut run and felt satisfied and included when they returned with the telltale box. Agree that the silicone pan is a must – came out perfectly. Glaze super shiny and beautiful. Wish I could submit a photo because they were so pretty!
My son wants to make these NOW ?but I don’t have coconut oil in the house. Is it possible to make the donuts with avocado oil? I am a big fan of your blog – thanks for many great recipes!
So so cacao’y. Definitely a dark chocolate flavor. They tasted good! I must have done something off with the icing, mine was not think at all, so I just dipped the top of the donuts in there and added sprinkles on some and shredded coconut on the others
Your recipe calls for palm shortening, which you also used in your book for the donut glaze. However, what you mention here is NOT palm shortening. The Nutiva shortening blend includes coconut oil which will help this glaze re-solidify. I’ve made this recipe several times now using Spectrum palm shortening and finally after reading this post, I realize that the product you are using is not the same as plain palm shortening. You should probably correct this recipe so that others don’t have the same issue.
Can I make cupcakes out of this recipe
It was really good! I didn’t use a silicone pan but with the coconut I dusted it with flour.
( which, yes, breaks the rules) and it came out real easy. Was also really delicious lol. My whole family liked it. Thanks for the recipe!
Hi,
These are amazing but my daughter can’t have maple syrup or honey. Do you know of a way to incorporate Lakanto Monkfruit sugar instead of the maple syrup?
These are AMAZING!! So magically delicious. I no longer feel left out when my family has donuts for a weekend treat. THANK YOU! The glaze is soooooo awesome!
Another amazing recipe! I couldn’t believe how easy these were to make. They look so pretty and taste really great too!
So thrilled you enjoyed them!
Any suggestions for an egg substitute? I have an allergy 💔
What flour would you recommend substituting for coconut flour as I cannot have coconut products.
Scrumptious! I made as recommended using melted butter for the batter and glaze. A delicious treat!