Dark Chocolate Cake Doughnuts with Chocolate Ganache Topping


A good friends birthday is this week and she happens to like chocolate..... a lot. We usually go out to lunch and then give the other person a small gift. This year my gift is these homemade baked chocolate doughnuts. I've been thinking about these little gems for a few months now, or at least the idea of them. I received a nonstick doughnut baking pan for Christmas and have been waiting for a good excuse to use them. These doughnuts are really fun to make. I used two different recipes to complete this. The chocolate doughnut part came from the "Shutterbean.com" website and the chocolate ganache topping came from the "Around My French Table" cookbook by Dorie Greenspan. Happy Birthday my wise friend.

Ingredients:

Base for the doughnuts:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Bittersweet Ganache Topping:

1/4 pound Ghirardelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter divided



To prepare:

Preheat oven to 325F. Lightly butter non-stick doughnut pan.

In a large bowl whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt, In a small bowl, whisk buttermilk, sugar, egg, butter and vanilla until smooth.

Add milk mixture to flour mixture, whisk until just blended and smooth.

Spoon mixture into prepared doughnut molds approx 2/3 full. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until doughnuts spring back when lightly pressed. Cool in pan, then carefully turn out on rack to cool.

To make ganache topping put chocolate in a heat proof bowl. Bring the cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Then pour it over the chocolate chips. Let the mixture sit for 30 seconds or so, then with a whisk or spatula, gently stir the chocolate and cream together. The best way to do this is to stir in small circles, starting at the center of the bowl and working your way out in increasingly larger circles. Stir gently, and when the ganache is smooth and shiny stir in the butter, piece by piece.

Dip cooled doughnuts into chocolate sauce and allow excess to dip back into bowl. Transfer to rack and coat with salted peanuts or leave plain. Enjoy!



Comments

  1. These look decadently delicious! They remind me of the doughnuts my mom used to make when I was growing up.

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  2. This is funny because I was just talking to my son this morning, saying maybe we'll make chocolate donuts next with our donut pan. They are so much fun and my son loves making them. These are right up our alley.

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    1. Hi Monica, this was my first time making these and they were pretty easy to pull together. Thanks!

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  3. Your friend is going to love these donuts Cheri; IMO homemade gifts are the best!

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  4. How fun! Dog nuts are always better than cake IMHO! I've never made them tho. Gotta fix that.

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    1. Hi Gwen, it really was pretty easy and would be fun to do with kids.

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  5. How yummy! I would be thrilled to get a birthday gift like this. I've recently thought about buying a doughnut baking pan. I keep seeing doughnuts everywhere!

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  6. Hi Cheri! These look just divine and what a wonderful way to treat a friend. That chocolate ganache has me swooning :)

    chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

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    1. Thanks Devaki, this was my first time making the ganache and it was pretty interesting how it came together at the end, like magic.

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  7. These are such a fun breakfast treat! The chocolate on chocolate is pure decadence.

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    1. Hi Joanne, I agree, chocolate in the morning is great.

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  8. Oh. My. Gaaahhh....these look absolutely delicious! I've never made doughnuts before but was JUST thinking of making some, these look like the winner, yummmm!

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    1. Thanks, this was first time as well and it really was easy.

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  9. Sounds great! And they look like I would eat them now ! :) ela

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  10. Well this is one recipe that will be good for a Spokane Valley winter afternoon. Don't know if I would be disciplined or not to sneak one or two before presenting as a gift.

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    1. Hi Sandra, just do what I did and make a second batch. How bad am I?

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  11. Homebaked treats are the best! These look irresistible! I bet your friend will love them.

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  12. so yummy! I wish I could have one of these doughnuts now!

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  13. How fabulous! These look divine and so rich. Perfectly chocolaty. Beautiful, too!

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