Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Donuts
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Prepare the Donut Pans: Brush the insides of the donut pans with vegetable oil and set them aside.
- Melt the Chocolate: Melt ¾ cup of bittersweet chocolate chips and set aside.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: Mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl until evenly combined.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: Beat the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar together for 2–3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the Melted Chocolate: Stir the melted chocolate into the butter and sugar mixture until thoroughly incorporated.
- Add the Egg: Beat in the room-temperature egg until combined.
- Alternate the Flour Mixture and Milk: Add the flour mixture and room-temperature whole milk alternately, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until the ingredients are combined.
- Incorporate the Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Transfer the Batter: Spoon the batter into a pastry bag or piping bag to make filling the donut pans easier.
- Fill the Donut Pans: Pipe the batter into the prepared donut pans, distributing it among the cavities.
- Bake the Donuts: Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 20–25 minutes, until the donuts test done.
Dark Chocolate Ganache
- Combine the Ingredients: Place ½ cup of bittersweet chocolate chips and ½ cup of heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Melt Until Smooth: Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate has melted and the ganache is smooth.
Assembly
- Prepare the Ganache: Make the ganache while the donuts are cooling. Allow it to cool slightly if necessary, until thick enough to coat the donuts.
- Glaze the Donuts: Once the donuts have cooled, dip the top of each donut into the ganache or spoon the ganache over the top.
- Serve the Donuts: Enjoy the donuts at room temperature or slightly warmed for the best chocolate flavor. The chocolate flavor develops as the donuts cool, so avoid judging their full flavor straight out of the oven.
Notes
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Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Bring the butter, egg, and whole milk to approximately 70°F (21°C) before preparing the batter for easier mixing.
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Check Ingredient Freshness: Make sure the baking powder and milk are fresh to help achieve the best results.
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Choose Your Chocolate: Bittersweet chocolate chips provide a rich, intense chocolate flavor. Milk, semisweet, or dark chocolate can be substituted, but the sweetness and chocolate intensity will vary.
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Achieve the Right Ganache Consistency: Let the ganache cool slightly before glazing if it seems too thin. This helps it coat the donuts more effectively.
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Freeze for Later: These donuts freeze well. Reheat them when ready to enjoy, keeping in mind that the ganache will melt during reheating.
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Allow the Flavor to Develop: The donuts taste best at room temperature or slightly warmed, once the chocolate flavor has had time to develop.
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Try Alternative Ingredients: For a dairy-free version, use non-dairy chocolate chips and butter along with unsweetened plant-based milk. A vegan version can use these substitutions plus a vegan egg alternative such as aquafaba. For a gluten-free variation, use a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend.