Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Donuts

Indulge a little with these easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Donuts covered in a decadent chocolate glaze. This is a 30-minute, double-chocolate, baked donut recipe that’s perfect to make as a breakfast treat or for dessert. So moist, and ultra-chocolaty, but don’t forget the sprinkles–they make everything better!

Want more gluten-free donuts? Try these Air Fryer Donuts or these Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts!

Is it acceptable to embrace chocolate cake for breakfast? Luckily, this double chocolate donut recipe might just be the next best thing! These donuts are just the right amount of sweet. And I’m pretty sure that any naysayers just haven’t indulged in a fresh, homemade chocolate donut first thing in the morning yet!

Double the chocolate = double the joy, right? Enjoy these baked donuts with coffee at breakfast, as a snack, or as an easy dessert.

These Gluten-Free Chocolate Donuts are a Delight!

Here’s why you’ll love them…

• Everything you want in a donut. They’re soft, cakey, fudgy, and covered in an equally decadent chocolate glaze. Plus sprinkles, of course!
• But almost no effort. These gluten-free donuts are one of my favorite treats that I can make in under 30 minutes. They’re so easy to make, I just know you’re gonna love them!
• Versatile. I do think glaze and sprinkles are the best way to top them, but you can try different glazes, icings, or driizzles, and customize the toppings to make your own gourmet baked donuts. Check out my ideas below!

Recipe Ingredients

For the Gluten-Free Chocolate Donuts

• Gluten Free Flour: I use Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour. You can try others, but this is my go-to for these baked donuts.
• Light Brown Sugar: Just the right amount of caramelized flavor. 
• Cocoa Powder: You can use your choice of regular or dark cocoa powder.
• Baking Powder: For leavening.
• Oil: Vegetable, canola, or another neutral oil to bring moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract gives these donuts the most natural vanilla flavor to enhance that chocolate.
• Salt
• Milk
• Egg

For the Chocolate Glaze

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The higher cocoa content in semi-sweet chocolate means less sweetness and a smooth consistency when melted.
• Butter: Unsalted butter for the best results.
• Light Corn Syrup: Adding corn syrup helps the glaze to coat better, and prevents clumping! You can also try substituting honey or brown rice syrup.
• Rainbow Sprinkles: Optional, but also sort of obligatory!

How to Make Gluten-Free Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

Prepare to be amazed by how easy it is to make donuts from scratch! Here’s how you can make your own perfect gluten-free chocolate donuts, plus the glaze, in under 30 minutes:

• Make the Donut Batter: First, combine the dry ingredients, including the flour and cocoa powder, in a large bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the flour mixture. Whisk until you have a smooth batter.

• Fill the Donut Pan: Carefully pour the batter into a greased standard-sized donut pan. Most pans will hold 6 donuts, so you may need to work in batches!
• Bake: Pop the donuts into a preheated oven. Once they’re finished baking, leave them to cool completely before glazing.
• Make the Chocolate Glaze: While the donuts are cooling, microwave the chocolate chips, butter, and corn syrup in bursts, stirring until melted (you can also do this using a double boiler if you’d prefer). Add in a spoonful of hot water at a time until the glaze is a smooth, thick texture.

• Glaze the Donuts: Gently dip the top of each donut into the glaze, and place the glazed donuts back on the wire rack. Top them with rainbow sprinkles if you’d like (who doesn’t love a donut with sprinkles?), leave them to set, and enjoy!

Topping Ideas

These chocolate donuts are super versatile! Depending on how you like your donuts, you can try out a whole bunch of toppings. Here are some suggestions for easy donut decorating:

• Swap the glaze. Try Classic Vanilla Glaze or get ready for the holidays with Peppermint Icing (and crushed peppermint candies). You can also drizzle them with caramel or melted white chocolate.
• Skip glazing. Instead, try giving your donuts a dusting of cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar.
• Try a different topping. Replace the sprinkles with toffee bits, shaved chocolate, chopped nuts, nonpareils, or crushed gluten free pretzels, Oreos, or Graham cracker crumbs.

How to Store Homemade Donuts

Store leftover glazed or unglazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature. If you’d like to extend the shelf life of your donuts, they also freeze extremely well. See below!

Can I Freeze These?

Yes! For best results, I recommend freezing these donuts after they’re baked and before they’re glazed. They’ll keep for up to 3 months if stored properly. 

To freeze, let the donuts cool completely and then pre-freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once they’re frozen solid, seal them in a freezer bag or airtight container and place them back in the freezer until you’re ready to enjoy them. Defrost the donuts overnight in the fridge, or in the microwave before serving.