Are you looking for the perfect combination of rich chocolate, sweet cherries, and fluffy doughnuts? Look no further than these Chocolate-Cherry Baked Doughnuts, an indulgent treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth any time of the day. Whether it’s for breakfast, dessert, or a delightful gift, these doughnuts topped with a vibrant cherry glaze are bound to steal the show. Soft, rich, and utterly irresistible, these doughnuts will have your friends and family asking for more. In this article, we’ll explore the recipe, its origins, and all the necessary steps to bring this delicious dessert to life.
What Are Chocolate-Cherry Baked Doughnuts?
Chocolate-Cherry Baked Doughnuts are a decadent treat made from a batter that’s infused with cocoa and topped with a sweet, tangy cherry glaze. Unlike traditional deep-fried doughnuts, these are baked, making them slightly lighter but just as delicious. The addition of maraschino cherries and a cherry extract glaze gives them a delightful fruity twist, perfectly complementing the rich chocolate flavor. These doughnuts are a great way to start the day or finish a meal with something sweet!
The Origin of Chocolate-Cherry Baked Doughnuts
The humble doughnut has been a beloved treat for centuries. While the exact origin of doughnuts is debated, they have been enjoyed in many cultures, particularly in Europe and the United States. The idea of adding cherries and chocolate to doughnuts likely draws inspiration from the trend of combining fruit with rich desserts. Cherry-filled chocolate cakes, brownies, and pastries have long been favorites, and the doughnut is no exception. The baked version, which uses a doughnut pan, became more popular as people sought lighter, less oily alternatives to deep-fried doughnuts.
Ingredients for Chocolate-Cherry Baked Doughnuts (Makes 12 Doughnuts)
For the Doughnuts:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ½ tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
For the Cherry Glaze:
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp maraschino cherry juice
- 4 maraschino cherries, finely chopped
- ½ tsp cherry extract (optional, for extra flavor)
Step-by-Step Directions and Preparation Method
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a doughnut pan with non-stick spray to ensure that the doughnuts don’t stick during baking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. This will form the base for your doughnut batter.
3. Combine the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk the sour cream, melted butter, vegetable oil, and egg until smooth and well combined. The sour cream adds richness and moisture, while the butter and oil keep the doughnuts tender.
4. Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together
Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Don’t overmix; the batter should be thick but smooth. At this point, your doughnut batter is ready to go.
5. Pipe the Batter into the Pan
Transfer the batter into a zip-top bag and snip off the corner. This makes it easy to pipe the thick batter into each mold of your doughnut pan. Fill each mold halfway for perfectly shaped doughnuts.
6. Bake the Doughnuts
Bake the doughnuts in your preheated oven for 8–10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This will ensure your doughnuts are perfectly baked and not too dense.
7. Cool and Transfer
Allow the doughnuts to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling period helps them firm up and ensures that they don’t fall apart when you glaze them.
8. Make the Cherry Glaze
While the doughnuts are cooling, prepare the cherry glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and maraschino cherry juice until smooth. Stir in the finely chopped cherries and cherry extract if using. The glaze should be slightly thick but pourable.
9. Glaze the Doughnuts
Once the doughnuts have cooled, spoon the cherry glaze over the top of each one, letting it drip down the sides for a beautiful, glossy finish. Add a sprinkle of extra cherries or sprinkles for an added touch of flair.
Tips & Variations for Chocolate-Cherry Baked Doughnuts
Add-ins:
If you want to take these doughnuts to the next level, you can fold in mini chocolate chips or chopped tart cherries into the batter for extra texture and flavor. The chocolate chips will melt slightly in the oven, adding pockets of gooey chocolate in each bite.
Frosting Twist:
For an even richer experience, try dipping the doughnuts in melted chocolate instead of the cherry glaze. This will create a decadent chocolate shell over the doughnuts, giving them an indulgent finish.
No Doughnut Pan?
If you don’t have a doughnut pan, you can still make these doughnuts using a muffin tin. Simply fill each muffin cup halfway with batter and bake as usual. You can call them “doughnut muffins”—they’ll still taste just as delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make these doughnuts ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the doughnuts the day before and store them in an airtight container. The cherry glaze can also be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Simply reheat the glaze slightly before glazing the doughnuts.
2. Can I use other types of fruit for the glaze?
Absolutely! While this recipe uses maraschino cherries for the glaze, you can substitute with other fruit juices, such as strawberry or raspberry, and chopped pieces of the corresponding fruit for a different flavor profile.
3. Are these doughnuts gluten-free?
Unfortunately, this recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make the doughnuts gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour.
4. Can I freeze these doughnuts?
Yes, you can freeze these doughnuts for up to two months. Simply place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze. To reheat, just pop them in the oven for a few minutes to warm up before glazing.
5. How can I make these doughnuts dairy-free?
To make these doughnuts dairy-free, substitute the sour cream with a dairy-free yogurt or use coconut yogurt, and replace the butter with a plant-based alternative like margarine.
Conclusion: A Sweet Cherry on Top
These Chocolate-Cherry Baked Doughnuts are the perfect blend of indulgence and charm, offering a delightful balance of rich chocolate flavor and a tangy cherry glaze. Whether you’re baking for breakfast, dessert, or gifting someone special, these doughnuts are sure to be a hit. The versatility of the recipe allows for creativity, from adding chocolate chips to experimenting with different frostings. And with easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips, you’ll be able to create these delicious treats with ease. So why wait? Whip up a batch today and enjoy a sweet, flavorful experience with every bite!
Chocolate-Cherry Baked Doughnuts: A Sweet Indulgence with a Cherry Glaze
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 doughnuts 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chocolate-Cherry Baked Doughnuts are a decadent treat made from a batter that’s infused with cocoa and topped with a sweet, tangy cherry glaze. Unlike traditional deep-fried doughnuts, these are baked, making them slightly lighter but just as delicious. The addition of maraschino cherries and a cherry extract glaze gives them a delightful fruity twist, perfectly complementing the rich chocolate flavor. These doughnuts are a great way to start the day or finish a meal with something sweet!
Ingredients
For the Doughnuts:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ½ tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
For the Cherry Glaze:
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp maraschino cherry juice
- 4 maraschino cherries, finely chopped
- ½ tsp cherry extract (optional for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a doughnut pan with nonstick spray.
- Mix Dry Ingredients In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugars, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients In another bowl, whisk sour cream, melted butter, oil, and egg until smooth.
- Combine Add wet mixture to dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Batter will be thick.
- Pipe into Pan Transfer batter to a zip-top bag, snip the corner, and pipe into doughnut pan, filling each mold halfway.
- Bake Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
- Make Glaze Whisk powdered sugar and cherry juice until smooth. Stir in chopped cherries and cherry extract.
- Glaze Doughnuts Spoon glaze over cooled doughnuts and let it drip down the sides. Add sprinkles if desired.
Notes
These chocolate-cherry baked doughnuts are the perfect balance of rich cocoa flavor and fruity sweetness. Since they’re baked, not fried, they make a lighter indulgence you can enjoy anytime—perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet afternoon treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 doughnut
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: Moderate
Keywords: chocolate doughnuts, cherry glazed doughnuts, baked doughnuts with chocolate, cherry chocolate doughnuts
