Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup hot water or coffee
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4-6 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For Decoration:
- Valentine’s sprinkles
- Conversation hearts
- Mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously spray heart-shaped donut pan with non-stick spray.
- Mix dry: Whisk flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl until no lumps remain.
- Mix wet: In separate bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Heat water or coffee until very hot.
- Combine: Pour wet into dry ingredients. Stir just until moistened. Add hot water/coffee and stir until smooth. Don’t overmix.
- Fill molds: Transfer batter to piping bag or measuring cup. Fill each heart cavity 2/3 full.
- Bake: Bake 10-12 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Don’t overbake.
- Cool: Let cool in pan 5 minutes, then invert onto wire rack. Cool completely before glazing (30 minutes).
- Make glaze: Sift powdered sugar and cocoa together. Add melted butter, vanilla, salt, and 4 tablespoons milk. Whisk until smooth, adding more milk if needed for pourable consistency.
- Glaze: Dip top of each donut in glaze. Place on wire rack and immediately add sprinkles or decorations. Let set 30 minutes.
Notes
- Room temperature: Bring egg and buttermilk to room temp for smooth batter.
- Don’t overfill: Fill molds only 2/3 full to prevent overflow and maintain heart shape.
- Hot liquid: Coffee or hot water blooms cocoa for deeper chocolate flavor. Coffee doesn’t make them taste like coffee.
- Cooling: Must be completely cool before glazing or glaze will melt and run off.
- Pan prep: Generous spraying prevents sticking. Get into corners and the heart point.
- Storage: Keep airtight at room temperature up to 3 days. Don’t refrigerate.
- Freezing: Freeze unglazed donuts up to 3 months. Thaw and glaze before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian