Glazed and Sprinkled Chocolate Cake Donut Holes.
Hey… do you want a fried ball of chocolate every single Friday? Because I do.
Make sense of this nonsense: these taste like balls of chocolate cake. They didn’t quite imitate those perfect little chocolate munchkins from Dunkin Donuts, but instead tasted like straight up… chocolate cake. So are they donuts or are they cake? The world will never know.
No complaining here. The birthday dessert that was supposed to last all week lasted for about… 24 hours. Whomp whomp.
Totally worth it though.
The birthday boy even helped me make these, and when I say “helped me make these” I really mean that I asked him to sift and resift the flour and cocoa powder about 37 times while I tried to take a photo. I think this was during a very inconvenient time for him because he was glued to the TV and huffed and puffed quite a bit. Before that he didn’t even know what sifting was and for as long as I made him hold it and at such an awkward angle… I bet he got an arm workout. Happy birthday to him. Now he will probably be even more inclined to cut the sleeves off of three shirts today.
It’s rare that I cook or bake or photograph much when he is home since it is my (let’s use this term loosely) work, and I much prefer to spend the time face planted on the couch or eating all the tacos or exhausting a good 30 minutes googling gangnam style because I have no freaking idea what it is, and after I sort of learn what it is I still have no freaking idea what it is, because I am so unhip and not with it and definitely think my computer is correct when it autocorrects gangnam style to gingham style. Because I certainly know what that is. And it just makes more sense.
But boy… sort of glad I was able to squeeze these in between googling.
They weren’t the REAL LIFE birthday dessert last night since we consumed them at lightening speed, but I sort of wished they were because it would have at least made the evening a bit more exciting. I mean, it’s not that I don’t consider eating dinner at an unusually early time of 6:30 then passing out while watching Despicable Me exciting… but yeah. It was pretty wild and crazy.
Our elderliness is concerning. At least we still eat like jerky teenagers.
Oh and I actually preferred these with sprinkles (because I guess I’m also seven years old inside) AND AND AND they add some texture so yes… totally do that.
Glazed and Sprinkled Chocolate Cake Donut Holes
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup 1/2 stick unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- vegetable oil for frying
Glaze
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 4-5 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, soda and salt.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, sugar, melted butter and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture, stirring with a large spoon until a dough forms. Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper, and roll dough into balls just slightly smaller than golfball size.
- Add vegetable oil to a large pot and heat over medium heat. Once it reaches 350 degrees F, add 2-3 donut holes at a time, frying for 2-3 minutes. I tossed mine a few times during the frying process, just using a slotted spoon to continually flip them over. One finished, remove with a slotted spoon and let drain on a paper towel. Once all the donut holes have been fried, dip in the glaze them set on wire rack. Allow to set for 10-15 minutes for simple glazed donuts. If you want sprinkled donuts, immediately roll in sprinkles after glazing and let sit until set.
Glaze
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk well. If too runny, add more powdered sugar. If too thick, add more water about 1/2 teaspoon at a time, whisking well for at least 30-60 seconds.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!
These really are so fluffy I’m gonna die.
159 Comments on “Glazed and Sprinkled Chocolate Cake Donut Holes.”
TGIF and these are going to be the perfect start to a crazy weekend!
Fried Ball of Chocolate Friday – I sense a new blog theme :D
Ahhhh it’s nice that your b-day boy helped you! Mine won’t help at all!!! Your donuts look so dam good! Nothing like a fried chocolate ball to kick start the weekend!!!
Is this real life?
I need these. Today. Nothing like fried chocolate balls. Sorry, just wanted to say that!
Yes! Every. Single. Friday!!!
i can NOT think of a better way to start my friday. TGI-freaking-F!!!!
OMG love, and I’m sure they are so much better than DD.
This actually got me to look up the D&D munchkin flavors to see they have both cocoa glazed and chocolate cake flavors. /food dorking
I miss having an easily accessible D&D..there are two in all of San Diego
OMG that song! I only just found out what it was too, and to be honest, don’t really understand what all the hype is about. These donuts, however, deserve LOTS of hype. The birthday boy was totally spoiled this year! :)
Dear me … I’ll be thinking about these all day.
The future dietitian of me approves. ;) holy mackerel these look INCREDIBLE!
I’ll pay for your transportation if you come to SC and cook for me for a week.:)
“Oh and I actually preferred these with sprinkles (because I guess I’m also seven years old inside)AND AND AND they add some texture so yes… totally do that.”
this line cracked me up because it sounds exactly like how my best friend would say the same thing.
oh and these totally bring me back to grammar school birthday parties.
the chocolate munchkins were the always the best ones!
Dang, I wish I knew about these a week ago for my friend and I’s bday celebration on the road. Bookmarking for next year…with an immediate test bathc in my future.
I was scrolling down hoping to see a photo of a bitten one! :)
Looks delicious!
You are my freaking hero. I must must must have these! I’m glad i”m not the only one that tortures their husband for photos. I make Brian hold hot pies while I take photos of the steam. It’s romantic.
I’ve been googling gangham style too. Don’t feel bad. Also, i have to wonder if it’s mildly inappropriate that I “secretly” want to learn it? Not that I’d ever do it…but I just want to know…cause I sorta think it’s in-therefore making me less elderly. Now, I need one of these.
I’ve been seeing that guy tv all week dancing to that song and apparently the song is # 1 on Itunes…crazy! I don’t get it, either! The chocolate dougnut holes look amazing, and I love the sprinkles!
Wow, are you kidding me with these?? They look so good, I’d kill for a big box of them to show up at my house this morning!
PS – I didn’t know what Gangnam style was until about 2 days ago. And my husband (who seriously is so out of touch with pop culture) was the one to introduce it to me….
I just want you to know that I fully intend on making these. And then covering them in chopped peanuts. Happy Friday to me.
I love that you wrapped donut holes, “gingham style,” and Despicable Me all into one post. (I was asking my husband yesterday about “gangnam style”…of course, I pronounced it wrong and HE knew what it was!!! And he’s OLDER than me! I mush prefer gingham.)
Totally making these and my boys are going to FLIP!!!
Oh man–this would be SO amazing with my coffee right now.
That last picture just totally pops!
Now I can’t get Psy’s song out of my head. I’ve been hearing that one or Taylor’s ‘Never Ever”. Did you see SNL Saturday, if not, Hulu it. The did a Gangnam skit and it was pretty funny.
Just note, I was taking pictures of dinner last night and this one I took, my immediate thought was “Oooh, that’s Jessica-esque!” At least it looked like it on the camera. We’ll see how it turns out when I download it to the computer and see if it was really in focus. I hope so!
I feel like I’m totally all over the place in my comments today ~ a wee bit ADD. haha Anyway, have a GREAT weekend! <3
Need this at work NOW! Also, always add sprinkles, duh!
I just googled gangham style, what?!
I want these so bad and for once I’d like someone to make me dessert!!
How beautiful!! ;) my daughter wud lov these
That shot, totally worth the resifting. You rock.
Well happy Friday to you too! That is definitely the perfect way to celebrate FRIDAY!!! I hope you have a great weekend my friend!
Oh my gawwwwwd! Who’s birthday is coming up?!?
O.M.G.
do you think you could bake these instead of frying?
I’m not too sure since I didn’t try it… I make baked donuts a lot and they are more of a batter than a dough. This is definitely a dough so I almost feel like it would be dry and tough when baked? But I can’t say for sure – let me know if you try!
*quickly googles gangnam*
A song? A dance? An affluent district in Seoul, South Korea that translates to “south of the river”?
I’m not sure either but these donut holes look absolutely perfect!! :)
Ahhmazing. Making now. Okay – exaggerating but definitely on my to do list.
Sprinkles make everything better. Fact.
Chocolate cake or chocolate doughnut, I am in!
I have a birthday boy to consider in two weeks. These just might be the ticket. And I won’t even make him sift…
Thank you!!!
These look so awesome I have to make them this weekend! I’ve always been a little scared of frying…. how deep do I need the oil to be in the pot?
It really depends on the pot… I usually go about 5-6 inches?
perfect thanks!! my boys will be thanking you tomorrow afternoon! :D
I would totally love these as my only Birthday Present!
ummm I dont even like donuts but these, oh I think I would like these!
Why, yes, I would like a bowl full of chocolate donut balls every single Friday:-) These are gorgeous!!!
Okay, so this may be a stupid question, but I’ve never fried anything in my life because it freaks.me.out. What do you do with the oil after you fry? If you just toss it, how do you dispose of it “properly”?
Oh, and they doughnut holes look amahzing, hence the question above. I’m actually thinking of trying to fry. ;)
Hahaha I got this question last time I posted fried donuts… so I don’t know if this is correct, but I let the oil cool completely (like it may have to sit overnight) and then pour it down the sink with the disposal running. Since I didn’t use a solid fat (like shortening or coconut oil) I figure it’s not that big of a deal? If I was using a solid I imagine you should let it cool until it’s solid again, then scrap out and throw in the trash?
Holy cow. I think I need these…now.
“It’s so fluffy!” You have no idea how many times that phrase is repeated in this household. :) Wish I had a few of these donut holes so I could say it again – they look so good!!
o.m.g. these are so perfect for friday. and just about anyday. i loveee chocolate donut holes!
Jess, your pictures have been remarkable lately! (the food obviously still the best in town as well) (the humor. dig it. every day)
Thanks so much!
I never really liked donuts EXPECT chocolate donut holes. I mean who wouldn’t like fried chocolate balls??
I got on the computer to look up an online bootcamp. But then I got real and ended up here. HAHAHAHA
This is the type of food that really makes life worth living. Who would ever want to miss out on something like this?!
Definitely need to make these. With the sprinkles addition, of course. :-)
These look so good. Not sure if I would be able to do the rack part in the oven, we have one of those really hard ovens to clean however i may try these soon. Thanks for sharing.