These paleo chocolate donuts with coconut vanilla bean icing are baked for a healthy and delicious grain and gluten free treat.
So, I got a donut pan. And let me just preface the rest of this post by saying yes, I do realize it is actually “doughnut” and no, I don’t care that I’m spelling it wrong. Yes, you may call me lazy.
It’s kind of funny because I’d seriously been looking for one for over a year, desperate to make donuts in my oven like the rest of the world and then when I find it and actually bake in it, I realize it’s kind of over-hyped. Hate when that happens.
Don’t get me wrong, these are good. But they’re basically cake in donut form. Donuts should be fried, not baked. So when you fill a mold with batter, stick it in your oven and expect anything remotely resembling Dunkin, you might be slightly disappointed. Sorry to burst anyone’s bubble on that, just keeping it real.
However, I happen to like cake. Chocolate cake with coconut butter vanilla bean icing is even better. So if it happens to be in the shape of a donut, I’m not gonna complain.
They might not stop me from the occasional munchkin order, but they’re fun nonetheless.
Paleo Chocolate Donuts with Coconut Vanilla Bean Icing
Ingredients
For the Donuts
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 3 eggs, separated
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Icing
- 1/4 cup coconut butter, melted to a pourable state
- 1/4 of a vanilla bean, scraped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 tablespoon honey
- unsweetened coconut flakes for garnish, optional
Instructions
For the Donuts
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl combine almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
- Separate eggs and combine yolks with remaining wet ingredients.
- Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until combined.
- Beat egg whites with a hand held mixer until light and fluffy.
- Fold egg whites into batter until just combined.
- Pour batter into donut pan.
- Bake for 12-13 minutes. Remove from pan and transfer to cooling rack.
For the Icing
- Combine melted coconut butter with water and honey and stir until fully incorporated.
- Add vanilla bean and stir again.
- Spoon icing onto fully cooled donuts and top with shredded coconut flakes if desired.
- Transfer to refrigerator for 10 minutes to set.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
This is too funny. I literally just thought to myself 2 minutes ago, “I wonder if Gina would have a good donut (I’m with ya) recipe.” I went to your page and here it is! No joke. Thanks!! I can’t wait to make these!
I have a donut pan and have never used it. I might have to break it in with this. I love cake in any shape or form as well.
Although donuts sound good, the coconut vanilla bean icing sounds AMAZING!
And stunning images; perfect backdrop and colors and just everything. Great donuts, Gina!
At least they’re healthier than fried donuts! And good. :) Also, I didn’t realize that “donut” is the wrong way to spell the name! woops. :)
I write donut all the time – I don’t care either. I figure if I’m making “REAL” DOUGHnuts with yeast then they can have the longer spelling!
Oh no you di’in’t!!! I’ve already bookmarked this so I know to make it for Christmas morning. Holler.
seriously? these look heavenly. But I totally imagine the chocolate glazed donuts from DD so I’m a bit disappointed…how do I get me one of those? Oh right…..drive to DD lol.
I agree with your spelling, probably because I’ve spent my entire life in a place with a Dunkin Donuts every 15 feet ;)
I know about donut pans! I had to get them in all sizes because I wanted a piece of cake shaped like a donut. Silly! However, I do like your recipe!! I love that you use almond flour! That reminds me I need to get some today! Have a great week and I love your recipe!
This is pretty much how I feel about my donut pan too. On the other hand, I don’t think I could turn down one of these…