Double Chocolate Donuts with Rich Chocolate Glaze

These Double Chocolate Donuts are rich, tender, and topped with a silky chocolate ganache frosting. They are baked instead of fried, wonderfully moist, and made without gluten or dairy for a breakfast treat, snack, or dessert everyone can enjoy.

If you love chocolate, this gluten free and dairy free donut recipe is one to keep close. The donuts have a soft, fluffy crumb with a fudgy chocolate flavor, and the ganache topping makes every bite feel extra special.

They are delicious plain, but the chocolate ganache frosting takes them to another level. Add sprinkles for holidays, birthdays, brunches, or weekend baking, or leave them simple for a classic double chocolate donut.

One batch makes six donuts, but these disappear quickly. If you are baking for family, guests, or a special morning, consider doubling the recipe so there are enough to share.

These baked double chocolate donuts come out consistently moist and tender when the batter is mixed gently and the donuts are not overbaked. The result is a rich chocolate treat that tastes bakery-worthy while still being simple enough to make at home.

Ingredient Notes

• Gluten free all purpose flour — Use a trusted gluten free 1-to-1 baking flour blend. If your blend already includes xanthan gum or guar gum, you can omit the extra xanthan gum in the recipe.
• Dark brown sugar — Pack the brown sugar firmly when measuring. It adds sweetness, moisture, and a deeper flavor that pairs beautifully with cocoa.
• Xanthan gum — This helps support the texture of gluten free baked goods. Skip it if your flour blend already contains a binder.
• Kosher salt — A small amount balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Cocoa powder — Use a good baking cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor. Dutch-process cocoa can also be used if that is what you prefer.
• Baking powder — Make sure your baking powder is fresh. Once opened, it can lose strength over time, which may affect how well the donuts rise.
• Vanilla extract — Vanilla rounds out the chocolate flavor and gives the donuts a warm, bakery-style taste.
• Egg — The egg helps with structure and tenderness. If needed, it can be omitted, though the texture may be slightly different.
• Dairy free butter — Melted dairy free butter adds richness and moisture. Use your favorite baking-friendly dairy free butter sticks.
• Dairy free chocolate milk — Unsweetened chocolate almond milk works well and adds extra chocolate flavor to the batter.
• Chocolate ganache frosting — The ganache is made with dairy free dark chocolate morsels and coconut cream. It creates a smooth, glossy topping that sets beautifully on the donuts.
• Sprinkles — Always check the ingredient label because some sprinkles contain milk. Use gluten free and dairy free sprinkles if you want to decorate the donuts for holidays or parties.

Recipe Tips

• Use a donut pan — A nonstick donut pan helps create the classic baked donut shape. If your pan is not nonstick, lightly spray it before adding the batter.
• Pipe the batter — Spoon the batter into a sandwich bag, cut off one bottom corner, and pipe it into the donut cavities. This is easier and cleaner than using a spoon.
• Do not overmix — Mix the wet and dry ingredients only until combined. Overmixing can make gluten free donuts dense.
• Watch the bake time — These donuts bake quickly. Begin checking them around 10 minutes so they stay moist and soft.
• Cool before removing — Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a rack. If needed, gently loosen the edges with a sharp knife.
• Dip, then decorate — Once the donuts are cool, dip the tops into the ganache. Add sprinkles after the ganache has thickened slightly so they sit nicely on top.
• Store properly — Keep leftover donuts in an airtight container. They taste best within the first couple of days after baking.
• Use leftover ganache — If you have extra ganache, enjoy it over pancakes, waffles, or another favorite gluten free treat.

These donuts are easy to dress up for any season. Use pastel sprinkles for spring, bright colors for birthdays, orange and black for Halloween, or red and green for Christmas. They are just as good without decorations, especially when you want a simple chocolate donut with a rich ganache finish.

More Gluten & Dairy Free Donuts

• Oreo donuts — A fun, chocolatey donut option with a cookie-inspired flavor.
• Fruity pebble donuts — A colorful and cheerful donut that makes breakfast feel playful.
• Old fashioned sour cream donuts — A nostalgic donut with a classic flavor and soft texture.
• Pumpkin cinnamon sugar donuts — Soft pumpkin donuts coated in sweet cinnamon sugar.

Lastly

These gluten free dairy free double chocolate donuts are moist, fudgy, and full of rich chocolate flavor. They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or any time you want a homemade chocolate treat.

The best part is that they do not taste like a compromise. With the tender baked donut base and smooth chocolate ganache topping, they are satisfying enough for chocolate lovers and simple enough for everyday baking.

Eat well and feel well,

Jill

Keep this recipe handy whenever you need an easy baked chocolate donut that is both gluten free and dairy free.