Easy Baked Chocolate Cake Mix Donuts with Silky Glaze

Imagine starting your day with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked donuts, rich with chocolate and adorned with your favorite toppings. These Chocolate Cake Mix Donuts are not just a dream; they’re a delicious reality that’s incredibly simple to make. Forget the hassle of yeast and frying; these baked beauties come together in minutes, offering a perfect blend of convenience and gourmet taste. Topped with a luscious, silky chocolate glaze and customizable with an array of fun toppings like S’mores, Almond Joy, or vibrant sprinkles, they promise to transform your mornings (or any time of day!) into a celebration. Which delightful creation will capture your heart first?

Donuts for breakfast? Absolutely, we’re all in! Especially when they are these unbelievably easy Chocolate Cake Mix Donuts, crowned with the most exquisite chocolate glaze you’ve ever tasted. And if you’re a fan of creative toppings, get ready for a treat! We’re diving into a world of chocolate jimmies, colorful sprinkles, decadent candy bits, and classic combinations like S’mores and Almond Joy. This recipe is designed to bring joy and incredible flavor to your kitchen without demanding hours of your precious time.

My kids light up with excitement every time I announce that donuts are on the menu for breakfast. While I adore homemade donuts, the traditional methods involving yeast and deep-frying can be quite time-consuming – time that many of us simply don’t have on busy weekdays or even relaxed weekends. That’s where these brilliant cake mix donuts step in as an absolute lifesaver and a major time-saver. They provide that delightful sweet treat fix in the mornings when a craving hits, all with minimal effort and mess. The baking process eliminates the need for hot oil, making them a healthier and safer alternative for families.

The Genius of Cake Mix Donuts: Quick, Easy, and Baked to Perfection

The secret to these sensational donuts lies in a simple boxed cake mix. This ingredient transforms the baking process from a complex endeavor into a remarkably straightforward one. By using a cake mix, you bypass the need for precise measurements of flour, sugar, leavening agents, and other dry ingredients. The result is a consistently moist, tender donut that tastes absolutely homemade without all the fuss. We specifically focused on chocolate cake mix for today’s recipe, amplifying the rich cocoa flavor from start to finish. However, the beauty of this method is its versatility – you can easily swap in any flavor of cake mix, from vanilla to strawberry to red velvet, to create an endless variety of donuts.

Another fantastic advantage of this recipe is that these donuts are baked, not fried. This not only significantly cuts down on the mess in your kitchen but also makes for a lighter, less greasy donut. All you need is a standard donut pan, and you’ll be ready to pop these into the oven. In just about 10-12 minutes, you’ll have a batch of perfectly golden, fluffy donuts ready for glazing. It’s a game-changer for anyone who loves homemade treats but dislikes the deep-frying process.

The Silky Smooth Chocolate Glaze: A Decadent Finish

What’s a delicious donut without a fabulous glaze? To complement these chocolate cake mix donuts, we’re using my absolute favorite chocolate glaze recipe. If you’re going to indulge in chocolate for breakfast (or dessert!), you might as well commit completely! This glaze is the epitome of smooth and luxurious, boasting an intensely rich chocolate flavor that perfectly coats each donut. It’s thick enough to cling beautifully but still wonderfully dippable, creating a visually appealing and incredibly tasty finish.

To truly elevate the chocolate experience and deepen the flavor profile, a special ingredient is key: Almond Breeze Chocolate almondmilk. This adds another layer of rich cocoa taste, making the glaze exceptionally decadent. It’s conveniently available in both refrigerated and shelf-stable versions, so you can always have it on hand in your pantry for whenever a donut craving strikes. For those who prefer a less sweet option, feel free to use unsweetened cocoa powder in the glaze. And if you decide to venture into other cake mix flavors, like strawberry, carrot cake, or vanilla donuts, I highly recommend using Almond Breeze Vanilla almondmilk instead for a perfectly complementary flavor pairing. This simple swap ensures every donut you create is infused with the best possible taste.

This recipe is proudly sponsored by Almond Breeze, a brand that helps us make these delightful treats even more special. Their almondmilks are a fantastic addition, enhancing the flavor and texture of these homemade donuts.

Unleash Your Creativity: Fun Donut Topping Ideas

One of the best parts about making donuts at home is the opportunity to get creative with toppings. It’s where each donut becomes a unique masterpiece, and I absolutely love experimenting with new combinations. Here are some of our family’s favorite variations that you can try:

S’mores Chocolate Donuts: Start with a chocolate donut, coat it in that silky chocolate glaze, then sprinkle generously with graham cracker crumbles (make sure they’re not too fine for texture!), a handful of mini marshmallows, and a scattering of mini chocolate chips. A quick torch to the marshmallows will take these to an epic level!
Almond Joy Donuts: For a tropical and nutty twist, top your chocolate-glazed donut with lightly toasted coconut flakes, thinly sliced almonds, and a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips. It’s like eating your favorite candy bar in donut form!
Triple Threat Chocolate Donuts: Sometimes, more chocolate is just more. This simple yet decadent option features a chocolate donut, a luxurious chocolate glaze, and a generous coating of classic chocolate jimmies for extra texture and visual appeal.
Candy Land Chocolate Donuts: Bring out your inner child with this fun variation. Any of your favorite candies will work beautifully – just remember to chop them into small, bite-sized pieces. Think miniature Snickers, Heath bar bits, or Butterfinger crumbles. We especially love using the tiny M&M’s from the baking aisle for a delightful crunch and a vibrant splash of color.
Sprinkled with Love: You can never go wrong with sprinkles! Any variety will add a festive touch, but my boys are particularly fond of the confetti sprinkles (the flat, circular ones) and the classic colorful jimmies. They make every donut feel like a party.

This recipe typically yields about 18 donuts per batch, which is perfect for sharing or enjoying over a few days. Keep this in mind if you plan on making multiple flavor variations for a colorful donut spread. A wonderful bonus is that these are essentially cakes shaped like donuts. So, if you happen to have any extra batter, you can easily bake it into cupcakes for another day. The versatile chocolate glaze is just as delicious drizzled over cupcakes!

My boys are also huge fans of strawberry cake mix donuts. When paired with an easy lemon glaze, they are absolutely mouth-watering and offer a refreshing contrast to the rich chocolate.

Mastering Your Baked Cake Mix Donuts: Essential Tips for Success

Sweetness Factor: Remember, these donuts are made from cake mix, so they are inherently sweet! They make a wonderful, indulgent addition to a brunch spread, but don’t hesitate to serve them as a delightful dessert as well. They’re perfect with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk.
Quality Donut Pan: For the best results and effortless removal, invest in a good quality nonstick donut pan. Always spray it thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray before filling each cavity. This ensures your donuts slide right out without any sticking or crumbling.
Cooling is Crucial: Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to glazing. You absolutely need to let the donuts cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to dip them. If you try to glaze warm donuts, they will likely crumble, and the glaze won’t set properly, resulting in a messy rather than marvelous outcome.
Gentle Dipping: When it’s time to glaze, be gentle. Hold the cooled donut and lightly dip the top into the glaze. Allow any excess glaze to drip off before placing it back on the wire rack. Take your time, and you’ll achieve a beautifully coated donut every time.
Go Wild with Toppings: This is truly the most enjoyable part! Encourage everyone in your household to pick their favorite toppings. Watching my boys and husband excitedly choose which donut to try first is always a highlight. Each donut truly becomes a new, exciting adventure in flavor and texture.
Piping Bag Perfection: For perfectly shaped donuts and easy filling, transfer your cake batter into a large plastic bag (a Ziploc bag works great). Snip off one corner of the bag with scissors and pipe the batter evenly into each donut well. This method prevents mess and ensures uniform donuts. Fill each well about halfway to avoid overfilling and ensure a classic donut shape.

The Simple Steps to Deliciousness: How To Make Cake Mix Donuts

Get ready to whip up these incredible homemade donuts with surprising ease. This recipe breaks down into two main parts: baking the perfect cake mix donuts and preparing that irresistible chocolate glaze.

Cake Mix Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 18 donuts
Author: Trish – Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

Cake Mix Donuts

15.25 oz boxed cake mix (chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla)
1 large egg, room temperature
1/4 cup vegetable oil OR applesauce
1 cup chocolate Almond Breeze almondmilk (or vanilla for other cake flavors)

Chocolate Glaze

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbsp chocolate Almond Breeze almondmilk
2 tsp vanilla extract
Various sprinkles and toppings, for decorating

Instructions

Cake Mix Donuts

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a donut pan with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the boxed cake mix, room temperature egg, vegetable oil (or applesauce), and chocolate Almond Breeze almondmilk. Whisk these ingredients together just until the batter is smooth and no lumps remain. Be careful not to overmix.
To easily fill the donut pan, transfer the cake batter into a large plastic bag (a sturdy Ziploc bag works well). Using scissors, snip off one corner of the bag to create a piping hole.
Carefully pipe the cake batter into each well of your prepared donut pan. Fill each well approximately halfway. It’s important not to overfill, as this will prevent the donuts from achieving their classic shape and may cause them to overflow.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean. The donuts should be lightly golden and spring back when gently touched.
Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This crucial step prevents them from crumbling when you dip them.

Chocolate Glaze

While the donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze. Sift the powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder together into a medium bowl. Sifting helps prevent lumps and ensures a smooth glaze.
Gradually add the chocolate Almond Breeze almondmilk and vanilla extract to the sifted dry ingredients. Whisk everything together until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps.
Adjusting Consistency: If your glaze is too thick, add additional almondmilk, just a drop or two at a time, until the desired pourable consistency is reached. If the glaze is too thin, slowly add a little more powdered sugar, a teaspoon at a time, whisking well after each addition until it thickens to your liking.
Once the donuts are completely cool, dip the top of each donut into the chocolate glaze. Lift it out, allowing any excess glaze to drip back into the bowl. Immediately top with your desired sprinkles and/or other fun toppings before the glaze sets.
Enjoy your freshly glazed and topped donuts right away! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness.

These homemade cake mix donuts are a testament to how easy and rewarding baking can be. Whether it’s the rich chocolate flavor, the soft cake-like texture, or the endless topping possibilities, they are guaranteed to bring smiles to faces. They’re perfect for a quick breakfast, a festive brunch, a delightful afternoon treat, or even a simple dessert after dinner. The simplicity of using a cake mix combined with the elegance of a homemade glaze makes this recipe a true winner for any occasion.

More Tasty Breakfast Recipes to Explore!

If you loved these easy donuts, you’re sure to enjoy these other fantastic breakfast and brunch ideas:

Craving something hearty and sweet? Try our Triple Berry French Toast Casserole, a perfect make-ahead dish for feeding a crowd.

For a savory option, our Deep Dish Ham and Asparagus Quiche is wonderfully satisfying and elegant enough for special occasions.

And for a truly special breakfast, don’t miss our fluffy Overnight Blackberry Yeast Waffles, perfect with a drizzle of blackberry syrup.

For all our delightful breakfast recipes, click HERE.
Looking for dinner inspiration? Find all our entree recipes HERE.

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Have a wonderfully delicious day!

Disclosure: This recipe is proudly sponsored by Almond Breeze. We extend our sincere gratitude for supporting the brands that make Mom On Timeout possible and help us continue to bring you delicious recipes.