Baked Chocolate Cake Doughnuts with Chocolate Glaze

This recipe is for a new group I joined called "What's Baking".  This group has a monthly theme chosen by a host and everyone in the group bakes something that fits that theme.  This month's host was the Beantown Baker and she chose the theme Sprinkles!

I decided to make these yummy chocolate doughnuts (or donuts as some of you might spell it) for my recipe for several reasons.  First of all, it gave me an excuse to bring out the doughnut pan.  Second, I've had these on my "to bake list" for awhile now, and third, I just love the way the chocolate frosting and colorful sprinkles look together.

These doughnuts were really good-they are cake-like in texture and flavor so don't expect the same kind of fried doughnut you might be used to.  They are still delicious and have a real chocolatey taste-I do have to say that the frosting was my favorite part!

 Baked Chocolate Cake Doughnuts with Chocolate Glaze

3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup dutch-process cocoa
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoons canola oil
Chocolate glaze (recipe follows)
Colored or chocolate sprinkles (optional)

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and coat a doughnut pan with cooking spray-make sure it is coated well.

Stir together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add the egg, milk and vanilla, and whisk together for 1 minute. Add the oil and continue to whisk until just combined. Transfer the batter to a large measuring cup (or a bowl with a spout) for easy pouring.

Fill each cavity in the pan 1/2-2/3 of the way full with prepared batter. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until the donuts spring back when lightly touched. Cool completely before icing. Yields 10 to 12 donuts.

For the Chocolate Glaze
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave double boiler (or in a glass or stainless steel bowl over simmering water). Add in the butter, corn syrup and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is incorporated. Use immediately.

Source: Milk & Honey