Easter Nest Chocolate Baked Donuts

Easter Nest Chocolate Baked Donuts

How can anything so darn simple be so incredibly delicious?! Baked donuts are so easy to make; just measure, mix, fill, and bake your way to your new favourite treat.

These delicately crumbed, slightly chewy donuts contain Nutella which gives them a remarkable chocolate hazelnut flavour and an incredible chocolate cake donut texture. What’s more, the Nutella keeps them from drying out!

Though the donuts are great on their own (or dunked into milk!), they are also amazing glazed with melted chocolate.

Looking for an easy Easter themed dessert? Whip up a batch of my Chocolate Nutella Frosting and create these adorable Easter nest donuts. Don’t forget the Mini Eggs!

What are Baked Donuts?

Baked donuts are simply baked in an oven instead of fried in hot oil. They contain simple ingredients and rely on eggs and baking powder to create a cake like texture instead of yeast.

These donuts do not require any kneading or rising time and are baked in a preheated oven instead of deep fried in hot oil.

To create the much loved donut shape, the batter is baked in a special pan made of either silicon or metal.

Ingredients in Chocolate Baked Donuts

This chocolate baked donut recipe requires only six simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry and refrigerator. There is no added sugar, or oil in the donut batter; except for the amounts which are present in the chocolate spread.

• Flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking Powder
• Eggs
• Nutella
• Milk

There is no need to use brand name chocolate spread as long as the chosen spread has the exact same consistency of Nutella. This is important for the final texture of the donuts. For optimal results, use a freshly opened jar as a previously opened jar may have become clumpy and thick.

If you wish to decorate the donuts as Easter nests, you will need an additional amount of Nutella, as well as heavy cream and quality dark chocolate with at least 52% cacao mass for the frosting recipe.

How to Make Chocolate Baked Donuts with Nutella

While many baked chocolate donut recipes call for cocoa powder, this recipe uses Nutella for an intense hazelnut chocolate flavour and tender crumb. The recipe is wonderfully easy and only takes 20 minutes from beginning to end.

Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare a metal donut pan by spraying it with a touch of oil, or greasing it well with melted butter. Note: a silicon donut pan will not require oil or butter.

Mix the dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch, baking powder) together in a large bowl then make a well in the centre.

Melt the Nutella for a few seconds (15-30 seconds) in the microwave so that it is slightly runny and easier to mix. Pour it into the well, then crack in the eggs.

Using a whisk, mix the ingredients together until they form a smooth batter. Do not overmix. Pour or pipe the donut batter into each cavity and allow some space for the donut to expand while baking. Filling them 3/4 full should be just right.

Bake for 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the donut comes out clean. Allow the donuts to cool for a few minutes in the pan, then remove onto a wire rack.

How to Make Easter Nest Donuts

Prepare the Chocolate Nutella ganache the day before (or 3 hours before the donuts) then whip it just before you intend to decorate.

Fit a piping bag with an Open Star piping tip, then fill it with frosting. Remove as much air from the bag as you can then twist the end of bag. Apply slight pressure to the bag and pipe the frosting onto the donuts in a circular motion, taking care not to make the frosting too high.

Decorate with pastel coloured Mini Eggs, jelly beans, or chocolate covered almonds.

Other Donut Toppings

These chocolate baked donuts make sweet Easter nest treats, however there are many other ways to decorate them. Enjoy them year round with these variations:

• melt chocolate chips and dip the top of the donut in for an easy chocolate glaze.
• use melted white, milk, or dark chocolate for an easy glaze.
• top glaze or frosting with assorted sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or chopped nuts.
• leave them plain and dunk in coffee, tea, or milk.
• add your favourite flavour extract to the frosting.

Ten Tips and Tricks for the Best Chocolate Baked Donuts

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Grease a metal donut pan WELL to prevent sticking or use a silicon pan.
3. Sift dry ingredients together to prevent clumps in the batter.
4. Melt Nutella slightly so it is easier to mix.
5. Do not overmix the batter.
6. Fill donut cavities 3/4 full to allow the donuts to rise as they bake.
7. Allow donuts to fully cool before decorating.
8. Make the frosting the day before (or three hours before) then whip it just before decorating.
9. Buy two pans as this recipe makes 1/2 dozen donuts and you’re gonna want more!
10. Enjoy the donuts ASAP.

Storing Easter Nest Chocolate Baked Donuts

Store undecorated donuts tightly wrapped in plastic wrap (or in an airtight container) in the fridge (3 days) or freezer (3 months). Note that the cool temperature will cause the Nutella to harden, leaving a slight textural change.

Once decorated, the baked chocolate donuts are best eaten the same day as they are made.