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.
I don’t know what it is about the word doughnut. Usually, I’d take the easy route but somehow it just flows off my fingers. I get halfway through the word and think about typing it the other way and then just finish it because I’m already half way done. I have no preference either way though, which is weird. The Canadian/American color vs. colour type thing drives me insane but doughnut vs. donut doesn’t. Lol. Now that that rant is over,… Your doughnuts look awesome! I just looooove the little speckles of vanilla. Mmm!
these look great! just pinned this for later :) I love donuts
These sound scrumptious! Love the almond flour and coconut oil!
I’m new to your blog and I seriously can’t quite drooling over all your pics.! AMAZING! I want that donut now!
Thanks, Candice. Welcome :)
I always wondered how the donuts in those baked donut pans came out. I suspected they couldn’t possibly taste the same as the deep fried Dunkin alternative! I do love the occasional munchkins basket (though its no longer available to me as I travel through Asia) but I’m not sure I’d like the cake type donuts -will have to give them a try sometime!
these look so delicious!! i had to pin them to make later :)
I have never wanted a donut pan…until right now!
LOL! I felt this way about my donut pan, too. But I’m totally making these this weekend. Orrr maybe tomorrow.
these look amazing! love the coconut bits on top!
See!!! You just confirmed it. I’m never buying a donut pan. but yours do look fantastic. i’ll stick to frying ;)