Baked vegan chocolate donuts are light, tender, and so delicious! I’ve been making these for years, and the texture is just perfect. These are easy to bake at home, and make a wonderful weekend breakfast or special dessert.
Saturday morning donuts were always a fun surprise when I was growing up. Eating a sweet pastry for breakfast felt like a very special treat.
Now that I’m a parent of a child with food allergies, it’s been many years since I’ve set foot in a donut shop. Dairy, egg, nuts, peanuts…these are all allergens that lurk in a traditional donut shop or bakery.
But I have good news! You can bake wonderful donuts at home that are safe for your family. My sons absolutely love when I bake cinnamon donuts or these vegan chocolate donuts. The addition of a light glaze and sprinkles makes these feel like a treat that came straight from a bakery. If you want to make these extra decadent, try topping them with dairy free chocolate frosting.
Be sure to read my tips and tricks below so that you can make these perfectly!
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Ingredient Notes
- Egg Replacers – Baking powder and vinegar make these donuts rise nicely, giving them a perfectly fluffy texture. These are very nice and light! Unsweetened applesauce also replaces the egg, and keeps these donuts nice and moist.
- Flour – I used white spelt flour for this recipe, but you can use whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, or a gluten free flour blend if you like. I don’t recommend using almond flour or coconut flour, as the texture will be very different. I also have a gluten free chocolate donut recipe that you might like to try if you are gluten free.
- Vegan Buttery Spread – Melted vegan buttery spread works well in this recipe, but you could also use melted coconut oil if you prefer.
- Sprinkles – If you can’t find a safe brand of sprinkles, you can leave them out. Natural Candy Store has a selection of naturally dyed sprinkles that are allergy friendly.
Special Equipment
You can find donut pans at many stores, like Target, Michael’s, and Williams Sonoma. You can also order them on Amazon. Donut pans are usually non-stick, and you can also find silicone versions.
Step by Step Instructions
- Melt the vegan buttery spread and stir in the sugar, applesauce, and vanilla.
- Add the cocoa powder, flour, salt, baking powder, water, and vinegar to the bowl.
- Stir until smooth.
- Spoon the batter into the donut pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 12-13 minutes. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before releasing them from the pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together some powdered sugar and water to make a glaze.
- Dip each donut in the glaze, and then top with sprinkles if desired. Enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Grease the pan – even though the pan is non-stick, I recommend using a little vegan buttery spread to make sure the donuts release easily from the pan.
- Don’t over-mix the batter.
- Let the donuts cool for about 10 minutes before releasing from the pan. Place some parchment paper on the counter and turn the pan over. Tap it firmly against the counter to release the donuts.
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Storage
Store these donuts in an airtight container. They should stay fresh for about 3 days.
If you would like to freeze these, I recommend freezing them without the glaze. They should stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can always add the glaze and sprinkles after you thaw them out.
More Vegan Donut Recipes
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Recipe
Vegan Chocolate Donuts with Glaze and Sprinkles.
Ingredients
For the donuts:
- ¼ cup vegan buttery spread melted (you could also use coconut oil)
- ½ cup organic cane sugar
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup white spelt flour or all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup water
- ½ teaspoon white vinegar
For the glaze:
- 1 ¼ cup confectioner’s sugar
- 2 teaspoons water
- 2 Tablespoons sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix the melted buttery spread, water, vanilla, and vinegar in a large bowl. Add the dry ingredients and mix together. The dough will be soft, and not too wet.
- Spoon the dough into the donut pan. Each well will be full almost to the top. Smooth out the dough with the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 12-13 minutes. Let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the glaze in a small bowl. Add water to the confectioner’s sugar and whisk with a fork until you reach the desired thickness. Not too thick, but not super runny.
- Place a piece of parchment on the counter. Turn the pan over, and tap it hard against the counter until the donuts release from the pan.
- Spoon the glaze on top of the cooled donuts. Shake sprinkles on top while the glaze is still wet if desired.
Karina
Thsi recipie is EXACTLY what my 8 year old brother wants for his birthday, I am so exited to make it and see the look on his face! But one question, I dont have a doungnut pan so should I just pipe it onto a sheet pan and bake it that way or will the shape come out wired?
Kelly Roenicke
It may not retain its shape if you do that. This is a way to make donuts without a donut pan: https://prettyprovidence.com/cookie-butter-donuts-how-to-make-donuts-without-a-donut-pan/
dks64 (Heather)
I made these yesterday and they turned out really good! The batter was pretty wet, so I added a little extra flour and cocoa powder. I’ve only made one other vegan donut recipe and this one was the better of the two. Thanks for sharing!
Kelly
So glad they worked out for you! Thanks for letting me know.
Lisa
I can’t wait to make these this weekend. At least it won’t be a snowed in weekend this time (western NY) but I don’t need too many reasons to make every weekend a pjs all day weekend! So happy to find this recipe and hope mine turn out as great as yours. I’ve tried so many with so many failures since becoming vegan. Wish me luck! :)
Kelly
Oh no! I’m so sorry that you’ve had some baking fails, I hate that! There’s always a learning curve when you try to cook/bake for a new diet. I hope these turn out well for you! :)
nicoledavidsohn
Hi!
Can I make these fat free by replacing the butter with silken tofu or more applesauce?
Thanks!
Kelly
Hi Nicole,
I don’t know if that would work because I have never tried it that way…if you give it a try, please let me know what happens! :)
huntfortheverybest
they sound great and look yummy!
Kelly
Thank you so much!
Meeling
Those look delicious!! I want one! :-D
I haven’t made my baked donuts in a while but I should!
Hope you’re staying warm and inside!! It’s all over the news how bad it is everywhere. We’ve had chilly morns and eves here in So Cal, but nothing like the rest of the country!
Kelly
Yes, we are definitely staying inside! I am tired of this cold snap, it is horrible!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely
It has been one of my secret DREAMS to get snowed in! Like a forced “staycation” where you don’t go to work and just snuggle in pajamas all day and drink cocoa. At least that’s how I picture it, but I’m sure the reality of having to shovel the driveway and such takes the fun out. These donuts look delicious, I love sprinkle donuts. So happy looking. Great pictures too Kelly!
Kelly @ The Pretty Bee: Cooking + Creating
Thanks, Natalie!
Well, Darryl does the snow clearing, and we have a snowblower, so that helps! But it still isn’t too fun for him, because it’s so cold. But yes, staying in PJs, and having cocoa are two must-do snow day activities!