I love going into the weekend with a recipe to bake that I’ve never tried before. I also find the weekends to be a time to indulge a bit because hey, every girl needs to treat herself to something sweet! These vanilla bean chocolate cake donuts are a real treat and satisfy that sweet tooth craving. Made with chocolatey cacao and glazed with a vanilla bean goat cheese, your taste buds will be in heaven.
I grew up eating donuts as a special treat and went wild for the custard-filled ones with a vanilla glaze and colorful sprinkles. Times have changed, but my desire to eat donuts hasn’t. Thankfully, I’ve created a healthier version that still has the integrity of flavor. Let’s talk about the key ingredients!
I like to use organic, unbleached all-purpose flour for these donuts. I make sure to always buy unbleached flour so the nutrients aren’t stripped away. If you are gluten-free, I suggest using oat flour as the donuts will still have a nice, fluffy texture.
Raw cacao powder is my go-to baking chocolate. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it’s the kind of chocolate that you can feel damn good about! Be sure to check out my creamy chocolate smoothie bowl made with cacao as well. (Tastes like a milkshake).
Adding yogurt to baked goods has become my new obsession. I purchase local, plain yogurt because I like to add my own sweetener. Be sure to purchase yogurt that does not have added sugar, the less ingredients the better!
Pure maple syrup is the sweetener used in these vanilla bean chocolate cake donuts. Syrups do vary in color. I like using dark maple syrup when baking as it has a richer flavor. Lighter maple syrup tastes better as a topping for pancakes. Did you know four tablespoons of pure maple syrup has the same antioxidant capacity as a serving of broccoli? Now, I’m not saying to starting guzzling down the sweet liquid, but it’s nice to know there’s more benefits to a sweetener than just making a donut taste better.
I hope you enjoy making these donuts as much as I do! The vanilla bean glaze puts these donuts over the top, much like those vanilla custard donuts you buy at the bakery. So if you are wanting a more simple donut, I suggest dusting with powdered sugar instead.
Printvanilla bean chocolate cake donuts
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts 1x
Description
These vanilla bean chocolate cake donuts are a real treat and satisfy that sweet tooth craving. Made with chocolatey cacao and glazed with a vanilla bean goat cheese, your taste buds will be in heaven.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unbleached, organic all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons organic virgin coconut oil, melted
Vanilla Bean Goat Cheese Glaze (optional)
- 4 oz plain goat cheese (1 log), room temperature
- 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
- 1 cup organic powdered confectioners sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a donut pan with avocado spray.
2. In a mixing bowl with a spout, add the dry ingredients. Mix until combined and set aside.
3. In a small bowl, add the yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla extract and eggs. Whisk until throughly combined.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredient bowl. Using a spatula, stir to combine. Add the coconut oil and continue to stir until the batter is smooth and velvety.
5. Pour into the donut pan. Bake for 8 minutes.
6. Let cool for 5 minutes in pan before removing. Continue to bake donuts and be sure to grease the pan every time!
Goat Cheese Glaze
1. Using a paring knife, cut the vanilla bean lengthwise down the middle. Open up the bean and scrape out the vanilla beans with the back of the paring knife.
2. In a medium bowl, add the softened goat cheese, butter, raw honey and vanilla beans. Using beaters, whisk on low for 15 seconds. While beating on low, slowly add powdered sugar in 1/4 cup increments. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons over the cooled donuts.
Notes
- Substitute AP flour for oat flour to make GF.
- Cacao powder can be substituted for baking cocoa.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8
- Category: sweets
Keywords: chocolate cake donuts, vanilla bean glaze
