Baked Cake Donuts

So I recently got a new pan!  What type of pan you may ask?  A donut pan!  Can I just say that I love, love, love it!  We have had so much fun making donuts.  Plus, they are so good.  Oh my, you've got to try these donuts.  These are baked donuts and like my daughter says, they're yummy in the tummy.  Now let's just get this straight if you are expecting a glazed krispy kreme donut, you just ain't gonnna get it.  But these are definitely a tasty alternative.  These chocolate donuts, fabulous!  Top it with coconut, heavenly!  Eating these baked treats saves you tons of fat and calories.  Each donut has approximately 200 calories and only 4 grams of fat.  Yep, that's not much for a donut.  Then you don't have to feel guilty eating 1, 2, 3... : )  (Need I go on?)

I am a complete social eater.  In fact, I've found that food has tons of happy memories for me.  I just love a good meal, good treats, good friends, and havin' a good time.  All things good... The other night we created a donut bar with our friends. You get to choose your flavor of donut, your flavor of frosting, and your toppings.  Another memory created with food, fun, and friends.   

Chocolate Cake Donuts
Makes 6 donuts

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1 egg
4 teaspoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 325.  Coat donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.  In small bowl, whisk buttermilk, sugar, egg, butter and vanilla until smooth.  Add milk mixture to flour mixture; whisk until blended and smooth.

3.  Spoon batter into a large resealable plastic bag.  Cut off a corner and squeeze batter into prepared indents, about 2/3 full.  Smooth tops.  Bake at 325 for 13 minutes, until donuts spring back when lightly pressed.  Cool in pan on rack 3 minutes, then carefully turn out directly onto rack to cool.

Vanilla Cake Donuts
Makes 6 donuts

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/3 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1 egg
4 teaspoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 325. Coat donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt. In small bowl, whisk buttermilk, sugar, egg, melted butter and vanilla until smooth. Add milk mixture to flour mixture; whisk until smooth.

3. Spoon batter into a large resealable plastic bag. Cut off a corner and squeeze batter into prepared indents, about 2/3 full. Smooth tops. Bake at 325 for 13 minutes, until donuts spring back when lightly pressed. Cool in pan on rack 3 minutes, then carefully turn out directly onto rack to cool.

Toppings
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
sprinkles, toasted coconut, mini chips, cinnamon-sugar

1. For powdered donuts:  Place 1/4 cup powdered sugar in a sifter and gently sift over cooled vanilla donuts.  Flip donuts; cover with sugar.

2.  For white-frosted donuts:  In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk.  Stir until smooth.  Dip cooled donuts into bowl and allow excess frosting to drip back into bowl.  Transfer to rack.  Top with sprinkles, coconut or mini chips, if desired. 

3.  For chocolate-frosted donuts:  Combine 1 cup powdered sugar, the cocoa and 2 tablespoons milk.  Stir until smooth.  Dip cooled donuts into bowl and allow excess frosting to drip back into bowl.  Transfer to rack.  Top with sprinkles, coconut or mini chips, if desired.

4.  For drizzle:  Snip small corner off bags of frosting. Decoratively drizzle over cooled donuts.

5.  For cinnamon-sugar donuts:  Toss still-warm vanilla donuts in cinnamon sugar to coat.

Recipe Source:  Family Circle Magazine April 2010

This recipe is linked to:
Sweets for a Saturday #3 hosted by Sweet as Sugar Cookies.
Saturday Swap hosted by Quit Eating Out.
Sweet Tooth Friday hosted by Alli N Son.
Pot Luck Sunday hosted by Mommy's Kitchen.