These chocolate peppermint donuts have a rich and decadent chocolate flavor that's covered in a peppermint glaze and topped with crushed candy canes. It's a perfect holiday treat to make for the whole family!
This post is sponsored by Lifeway. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Ginger Snap's Baking Affairs possible!
These peppermint chocolate donuts would make for a special breakfast this holiday season. They are baked chocolate donuts that have both a strong chocolate and peppermint flavor.
I used peppermint extract in the donut batter and the glaze, along with adding bits of candy canes to the tops of each donut to make this treat even more festive!
Looking for more peppermint treats? Then check out these: peppermint bark cheesecake bites, candy cane ice cream, and peppermint shortbread cookies.
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Why You'll Love These Donuts
- You can taste both the peppermint and chocolate flavors.
- All you need are mixing bowls; no hand mixer required.
- Crushed candy cane pieces are sprinkled over the top.
- The peppermint glaze adds a touch of sweetness
- They'd be a perfect sweet treat for Christmas morning!
Baked donuts are some of my favorite sweet treats to make. You don't have to worry about hot oil or making a mess.
All you need are nonstick or silicone donut pans.
Lifeway Kefir
Using Lifeway Kefir inside of baked goods adds so much extra moisture and flavor, which makes it one of my favorite ingredients to use.
Lifeway Kefir is a tart and tangy cultured milk that contains 12 live and active cultures. Just an 8-ounce serving of Lifeway low-fat milk contains 11 grams of natural protein.
I used Lifeway Kefir Organic Vanilla Whole Milk in this recipe, but you could also use their plain or chocolate kefir too!
Check out these pumpkin donuts and white chocolate peppermint cupcakes where I also used Lifeway Kefir.
Ingredients Needed
Here are some notes on the ingredients we'll be using. For the full ingredients list, look at the recipe card below.
- Flour: I used all purpose flour.
- Cocoa Powder: For this recipe I used natural cocoa powder, but you could also use dutch process cocoa powder.
- Lifeway Kefir Organic Vanilla Whole Milk: This adds moisture and softness to the donuts.
- Peppermint Extract: Use pure, not imitation. Also avoid using spearmint extract.
- Candy Canes: You can either buy already crushed candy canes or crush them yourself.
Instructions
Here are the step by step instructions on how to make these chocolate Christmas donuts with a peppermint glaze.
Step 1: Dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Step 2: Wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, sugar, kefir milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until combined.
Step 3: Combine ingredients. Add the dry ingredients into the wet and gently fold together using a rubber spatula until combined.
Step 4: Pipe the donut batter. Scoop the batter into a piping bag and pipe the donut batter into each donut cup, filling it up just barely to the top.
Step 5: Bake. Bake the donuts for 8-10 minutes. Allow them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully removing them and setting them on a wire rack to finish cooling.
Step 6: Peppermint glaze. In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Step 7: Assemble. Dip each donut into the glaze and place them back onto the cooling rack. Sprinkle the top of each donut with crushed peppermint candy canes.
Recipe Variations
- Chocolate Ganache Glaze: Instead of a peppermint glaze, try making a chocolate ganache glaze. If you are a huge fan of chocolate you'll love it!
- Chocolate Chips: You could add mini chocolate chips along with the peppermint candies on top
Storage Tips
Although donuts are best consumed the same day they are made, they will last for a short amount of time.
Keep leftover donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator or on the counter at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Expert Baking Tips
- Baking Pan: You'll need a 6-count donut pan like this one or this wilton donut pan. I have both of these and use them interchangeably. Generously spray your pan with nonstick spray.
- Measuring Flour: To help ensure you don’t add extra flour, follow these three simple steps: 1) Fluff up the flour using a fork. 2) Spoon the flour into your measuring cup. 3) Scrape a knife across the top of the measuring cup to level out the flour.
- Donut Batter: I find it so much easier to scrape the donut batter into a piping bag or a large ziplock bag and pipe the batter into the donut molds.
- Bake Time: Be careful not to overbake the donuts or they will turn out dry.
Recipe FAQs
Yes they can. Make them the night before and then in the morning, glaze them and serve.
Yes you can! You will have a total of 12 donuts. Just be sure to bake each pan separately.
If you want a thicker glaze on top, mix all of the ingredients together first and then adjust. Too thin? Add a ½ tablespoon of powdered sugar at a time until desired consistency. I chose a thinner glaze so you could still see the chocolate cake donuts underneath.
If you made this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below. I love hearing from you! Also, please tag me on Instagram and check out my Pinterest for even more recipe ideas.
It brings me so much joy to see you make my recipes. 🙂
Happy Baking!
More Donut Recipes
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Peppermint Donuts
Equipment
- Donut Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Piping Bag
Ingredients:
Chocolate Peppermint Donuts
- ¾ cup flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup Lifeway Kefir Organic Vanilla Whole Milk
- ¼ cup yogurt (plain or vanilla)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract
Peppermint Glaze
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ¼ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 6-count donut pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
Chocolate Peppermint Donuts
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, sugar, kefir milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet and gently fold together using a rubber spatula until combined (be careful not to over mix).
- Scoop the batter into a piping bag or a zipped-up sandwich bag. Simply cut a corner off of the bottom of the bag and pipe the donut batter into each donut cup, filling it up just barely to the top.
- Bake the donuts for 8-10 minutes. Use a toothpick to check the center. If it comes out clean, then they're done. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully removing them and setting them on a wire rack to finish cooling.
Peppermint Glaze
- In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, milk, melted butter, and peppermint extract until combined. If the glaze is too thick, add ½ tablespoon of milk at a time. If it's too thin, add a ½ tablespoon of powdered sugar. Mix until desired consistency.
- Once the donuts have cooled, dip them into the glaze and place them back onto the wire rack (double dip for extra glaze!). Then sprinkle on the crushed candy cane pieces. Once set, serve immediately and enjoy!
- Keep leftover donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator or on the counter for up to 3 days.
Notes:
- Baking Pan: You'll need a 6-count donut pan like this one or this wilton donut pan. I have both of these and use them interchangeably. Generously spray your pan with nonstick spray.
- Measuring Flour: To help ensure you don’t add extra flour, follow these three simple steps: 1) Fluff up the flour using a fork. 2) Spoon the flour into your measuring cup. 3) Scrape a knife across the top of the measuring cup to level out the flour.
- Donut Batter: I find it so much easier to scrape the donut batter into a piping bag or a large ziplock bag and pipe the batter into the donut molds.
- Bake Time: Be careful not to overbake the donuts or they will turn out dry.
One of my favorite combinations is chocolate and peppermint, so these baked donuts do not disappoint. Highly recommend if you love these Christmas flavors!