Chocolate Cake Doughnuts

Jun 19, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Pastries doughnuts Vanilla: Extract Medium

Fresh chocolate cake doughnuts on a wire cooling rack, one broken open to show the tender inside

Rich, tender chocolate cake doughnuts fried to perfection and finished with a smooth vanilla glaze. These doughnuts feature real cocoa and vanilla for a classic chocolate flavor with a hint of warmth.

Prep 25 min

Cook 15 min

Cooling 45 min

Total 1 hr 25 min

Yield 14 doughnuts

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

doughnuts

2.0 cups (240.0 g)all-purpose flour
½ cup (50.0 g)unsweetened cocoa powder
1.0 cup (200.0 g)granulated sugar
2.0 tsp (8.0 g)baking powder
½ tsp (2.0 g)baking soda
½ tsp (3.0 g)salt
½ tsp (1.0 g)ground nutmeg
2.0 (100.0 g)large eggs
¾ cup (180.0 ml)buttermilk
3.0 tbsp (42.0 g)unsalted butter, melted
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
neutral oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
1.0 cup (120.0 g)powdered sugar, for the glaze
2.0 tbsp (30.0 ml)milk, for the glaze
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract, for the glaze

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently just until combined. Do not overmix; the batter will be thick.
Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up slightly for easier handling and better texture.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it to about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) thickness. Use a 3-inch (7.5 cm) doughnut cutter to cut out doughnuts and holes.
Place the cut doughnuts on a floured baking sheet and let them rest for 15 minutes to reduce shrinkage during frying.
Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy saucepan to 375°F (190°C). Fry the doughnuts, a few at a time, until puffed and cooked through, about 1 minute per side. Adjust heat as needed to maintain temperature.
Do not overcrowd the pan. Use a slotted spoon to remove doughnuts and drain on paper towels.
While doughnuts cool slightly, prepare the vanilla glaze: whisk powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk together until smooth and pourable.
Dip the warm doughnuts into the vanilla glaze, letting excess drip off, then place on a wire rack to set before serving.

Tips

Chill the dough before rolling to make it easier to handle and cut clean shapes.
Use high-quality vanilla extract or paste to enhance the chocolate flavor with a warm vanilla note.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make chocolate cake doughnuts?

Plan on 25 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, plus 45 minutes to chill and rest. The recipe makes about 14 doughnuts.

How should I store chocolate cake doughnuts?

Store doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in a microwave or oven for a fresh taste.

Can I make chocolate cake doughnuts ahead?

The dough can be made and chilled for up to 24 hours before frying.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 14 servings this recipe makes.

270 Calories / serving

12.0g Fat

38.9g Carbs

3.9g Protein

23.7g Sugar

Whole recipe (14 servings): ~3780 cal · 168g fat · 545g carbs · 55g protein · 332g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 270 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 51 min·3.0 mi·~5950 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 37 min·1.9 mi·~3700 steps
Moderate cycling 27 min·5.4 mi
Swimming laps 38 min
Jogging 26 min·2.2 mi·~4150 steps
Stair climbing 25 min·~2250 steps
Dancing 44 min
Bodyweight circuit training 27 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 63 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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