Monday, March 7, 2011

Baked Chocolate Donuts with Ganache

Baked Chocolate Donuts with Ganache

I have made some amazing friends from food blogging. A couple of months ago, one of those friends (Joy) sent me a donut pan that I won in a giveaway on her blog. A few weeks later, another friend (Dawn) posted phenomenal pictures of donuts that I knew I had to make soon. I am loving my new apartment and one of my favorite places in it is the kitchen. It's small, but has everything I need...including a trash compactor which I have been without for a year and a half! I finally got to put my cute little donut pan to use yesterday and I couldn't be happier with the results. These little cakey donuts are a perfect way to enjoy a chocolate treat with a little less guilt than regular fried donuts. The salty nut (ha ha) toppings help cut through the richness of the ganache and are a perfect pairing. If you're not a big fan of salty nuts (lol) then use unsalted, or replace them with sprinkles, sanding sugar, or coconut flakes. The possibilities are endless. 

Baked Chocolate Donuts with Ganache 3/6/11

Baked Chocolate Donuts with Ganache
(Adapted from Vanilla Sugar)

Makes 20 mini donuts

Donuts:
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
2 eggs at room temperature
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ounces finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate (optional)

Ganache:
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons heavy cream

Toppings:
Finely chopped pistachios
Finely chopped peanuts
Sprinkles
Coconut flakes

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Lightly coat the donut pan with non stick spray. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack over the parchment. Set aside.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and baking soda. Stir in the salt. Add the buttermilk and stir to combine, then add the butter. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and vanilla and add them to the flour mixture. Stir, just until the mixture is combined. Stir in the chopped chocolate if using.

Fill each donut mold about 2/3 full. Bake for about 8 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto the wire rack.

To make the ganache:
Heat some water in a small saucepan until it is simmering. Add the chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of the cream to a bowl, and place over the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the liquid. Stir until the chips have melted and are combined with the cream. If the mixture seems too thick, add the rest of the cream.

Dip each donut in the ganache. Top with whichever toppings you desire.Let the chocolate set before you dig in.

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35 comments:

Erica said...

Dawn has SO many fabulous ideas! These look totally drool worthy. Glad to hear you're loving your new place

notyet100 said...

feel like picking one

Pam said...

I could go for one right now! They look delicious and I will have to give it a try!

Kathy - Panini Happy said...

These came out perfectly! I love these doughnut pans...finally got a heart-shaped one this past Valentine's Day.

vanillasugarblog said...

donut pans are a blessing and a curse
;-)
thanks for the shout out; you're a good friend too hot stuff.

Amanda said...

Wow, these sure look amazing!

susan said...

I love my mini doughnut pans and I love this recipe. These doughnuts are now imprinted onto my weekly "to do" list! My kids will thank you later! x

Unknown said...

those sure do look scrumptious... i'd like one now please :)

marla said...

It is essential that I bake up some donuts. with dark chocolate ganache. Gorgeous!

The Food Librarian said...

These are just fabulous! Love them and can't wait to make some!

Joanne said...

I absolutely fell in love when dawn made these and now I'm doing it again! God I'm such a sucker for chocolate and donuts and ganache. Swoon. Sigh.

BrettW. said...

wow, i didn't know...baked donuts?
wow(again)i have got to get me one of these donut pans and go nuts. ha!

Unknown said...

Laura @MotherWouldKnow - I'll have to run right out and get a doughnut pan. How did I live without one for so long? Your photo is going to be in my dreams tonight for sure.
www.MotherWouldKnow.com

Banana Wonder said...

These are beauties! I love how you topped them with SALTY NUTS! YUM! Next time in LA you know what I'm stopping over for.

Torviewtoronto said...

yummy looking donuts delicious

Diana said...

I go freaking nuts for salty nuts. I could eat salty nuts all day, every day, foooorever. The saltier the nut, the better. ;)

Unknown said...

This looks wonderful. I have been craving donuts everyday.

angela@spinachtiger said...

Very cute. I wanted to see the donut pan. Didn't even know donut pans existed. That's why I love blogging. Happy you won.

kellypea said...

Definitely dangerous little morsels :) I'm thinking my strategy of freezing them would probably not keep me from wanting to inhale them. Glad you're loving your new apartment!

JL said...

Your donuts look amazing! I love making baked donuts. I like how your decorated yours

Unknown said...

looks awesome

Simones Kitchen said...

I love doughnuts and I possible like the baked ones a little better even as they make me feel less bad so to speak... They look totally delicious!

Kim said...

oh my, these donuts look fabulous!!!

Evan @swEEts said...

I bought a donut pan a few months ago and have still not gotten around to using it! You've inspired me to get on it :) Thanks!

Lyndsey Myers said...

I also have a donut pan that has never seen use. These look so delicious and amazing. Definitely going to have to break mine in.

Linda @ Lemon Drop said...

These look fantastic! I cannot wait to try out this recipe :)

Linda @ Lemon Drop

Emily @ eat.drink.run. said...

oh my these look so delicious! i need to buy some donut pans this weekend!!

Sonia said...

gorgeous donuts... !

Kristen said...

Wow - look at those gorgeous doughnuts!

Anonymous said...

I just saw you on the Top 9 and had to leave you a comment, these look so great! I have been wanting to make donuts this past month but I gave up sweets for lent, so donuts are kinda off my list :-(..BUT after lent is over I am going to make these!

Patty M said...

They look delicious - - more appealing than some of the fried-cake versions!

ChocolateCentral said...

The pistachio topping is a pleasant surprise. I'm not a huge doughnut fan, but with chocolate ganache and pistachio nuts I would call these a sophisticated doughnut and definitely worth a try.

Sprinzette @ Ginger and Almonds said...

Delicious. I could so indulge myself on one of those right. Love your blog - some great inspiration here.

LetMeEatCake Eat With Me! said...

these donuts looks so yummy! and you know how i feel about donuts! we should have a brunch party at your house and you can make me some :)

Sas said...

Ooooh, these look so good that I will have to make them tomorrow! Unfortunately, I have to go to work today instead of baking :-(