In this recipe, I will be showing you how to make double chocolate donut holes in a cake pop maker. This is an easy and quick 20 minute recipe and there is no frying involved.
If the thought of trying to fry balls of batter in a piping hot pot of oil doesn't sound enticing to you, try this easier method instead. In this particular recipe, the donut holes are baked in a cake pop maker and glazed in chocolate-for less mess and fewer calories.
Any chocolate lover will love this recipe, starting with a chocolatey batter and finishing with a smooth, decadent, melted chocolate coating; this little treat has all sweet-tooth bases covered.
You literally pipe the batter in, close the lid and 5 minutes later: voila! Perfectly moist, round treats ready for snack time or dessert.
I also have these fudgy brownie bites and Black Forest cake balls that you might like as well as a pile of amazing homemade dessert recipes!
Jump to:
Ingredients
- cocoa powder - The cocoa powder will give the donut holes chocolate flavor and they will be glazed with the melted chocolate bar, creating a double chocolate delight!
- baking powder - This actually contains baking soda and helps the donuts to rise and have airy texture.
- milk - I use whole milk but you can also use skim milk or even water if you prefer.
- vegetable oil - Can substitute with canola oil or a healthier oil like avocado oil.
- butter - Salted butter is okay to use; it will enhance the flavor of the donut holes.
- chocolate - For best results, use a high quality chocolate bar (milk or dark), broken into chunks. I personally love Lindt and Dairy Milk.
*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.
How to Make Chocolate Donut Holes
Step #1. Add all dry ingredients to a bowl and mix them well.
Step #2. Add the egg, milk and vegetable oil.
Step #3. Pour the batter into a preheated cake pop maker. Bake them for around 3-4 minutes.
Chef's Note: You can test with a toothpick for doneness: if it comes out dry, the donut holes are ready. While the donut holes are cooling, you can work on melting the chocolate.
Step #4. Melt the chocolate/butter mixture completely until smooth and shiny.
Step #5. Cover the donut holes with the chocolate coating. If you wish, you can add candy sprinkles at this point. Let the chocolate harden.
🍫 Chef's Note: For coffee lovers, you can also make chocolate coated coffee beans and sprinkle them on top of the freshly dipped chocolate donut holes.
Step #6. Serve the double chocolate donut holes!
Joss' Tips
- Melting the chocolate/butter: Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate and butter together in the microwave in 15 or 20 second intervals, mixing each time until smooth. Don't microwave for too long at one time or you could have a mess in the microwave and it will be overcooked.
- Don't overfill the cake pop maker cavities: Fill them to just below the top for best results (about 1 mm from the top). If you happen to overfill them and there is excess cake around the balls, just wait for them to cool, then snap it off with your fingers. It gets crispy and brittle once cooled!
- Cool the donut holes: Make sure to cool the donut holes completely before glazing with the chocolate or the chocolate will not stick properly.
- Use dipping tools: I like to use a cake pop dipping tool to remove the donut holes from the cake pop maker as well as to handle them during dipping.
Double Chocolate Donut Holes FAQs
Donut holes, traditionally the dough that comes from the center of the donut, have become such a popular confection that donut shops have dedicated special cutters to recreate the treat into a slightly larger, but still bite-size snack. They come in any and all flavors that you would see the donut adorned in, including fillings, glazes, chocolate and sprinkles.
They taste best when eaten fresh, but if you are wanting to make them ahead of time, similar to cake pops, these donut holes should be stored in a covered container: at room temperature for up to 2 to 3 days, in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
For freezing they can be placed in freezer bags once cooled and the chocolate is set.
More Melt in Your Mouth Chocolate Recipes
If you tried this Double Chocolate Donut Holes Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
Double Chocolate Donut Holes
Ingredients
For the Donut Holes
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
For the Chocolate Coating
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup chocolate bar pieces - about 175 grams
Instructions
- Add all dry ingredients to a bowl and mix them well.1 ½ cups flour, ¼ cup cocoa powder, ½ cup sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- Add the egg, milk and vegetable oil and combine.1 egg, 1 cup milk, ¼ cup vegetable oil
- Pour the batter into a preheated cake pop maker (fill them about 1 mm from the top) and close the lid. Bake them for around 3-4 minutes (You can test with a toothpick. If it comes out dry, they are ready). Remove and let cool.
- Place a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water (double-boiler style) and add the butter and chocolate. Melt the chocolate/butter mixture completely until smooth and shiny, stirring constantly.11 tablespoon butter, 1 cup chocolate bar pieces
- Cover the donut holes with the chocolate coating. If you wish, you can add candy sprinkles at this point. Let them sit until the chocolate hardens (in the fridge or room temperature).
- Serve & enjoy!
Notes
- Melting the chocolate/butter: Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate and butter together in the microwave in 15 or 20 second intervals, mixing each time until smooth. Don't microwave for too long at one time or you could have a mess in the microwave and it will be overcooked.
- Use dipping tools: I like to use a cake pop dipping tool to remove the donut holes from the cake pop maker as well as to handle them during dipping.
- How to fix accidental overfilling: If there's a little bit of excess cake around the balls (from overfilling the cake pop holes), just wait for the balls to cool, then snap it off with your fingers. It gets crispy and brittle once cooled.
- Storage: These donut holes should be stored in a covered container at room temperature for up to 2 to 3 days, in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Freezing tip: For freezing they can be placed in freezer bags once cooled and the chocolate is set.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Michelle says
Looks great! I have a cake pop pan with the top and bottom. Do you think this will work with it? Same time baking? 375 degrees?
Thanks!
Joss D says
Hi Michelle, this recipe would probably work with a cake pop pan, but I haven't tried it myself. When I bake with a cake pop mold in the oven, it takes longer than a cake pop maker. I bake them at 350F for about 20 minutes. That time/temperature might vary with a cake pop pan but if the pan has holes, you can check with a toothpick for doneness. Thanks for the question and I hope that helps!