Indulge in the Season: Decadent Vegan Baked Chocolate Peppermint Donuts
Few treats capture the spirit of the holidays quite like the delightful combination of chocolate and peppermint. Building on the overwhelming success of our beloved original baked vegan donuts—a recipe that consistently receives rave reviews and remains a top favorite on our site—we’ve crafted a special seasonal variation that promises to enchant your taste buds. Prepare to fall in love with these rich, moist, and utterly delicious Vegan Baked Chocolate Peppermint Donuts.
Why These Chocolate Peppermint Donuts Will Be Your New Obsession
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed experimenting with numerous variations of my signature baked vegan donut recipe, each one proving to be incredibly popular. This year, after seeing my chocolate version take off on Instagram, the inspiration struck to create a festive peppermint iteration. And I must confess, this particular flavor profile has quickly ascended to become my absolute favorite donut recipe on the entire blog! The balance of deep chocolate with the cool, refreshing burst of peppermint is simply irresistible, making it the perfect treat for holiday gatherings or a cozy night in.
Effortless Baking: The Magic of One-Bowl Simplicity
One of the many reasons these donuts hold a special place in my heart, beyond their incredible taste, is the sheer ease of preparation. This recipe truly embraces the beauty of one-bowl baking. Imagine: all your wet and dry ingredients come together in a single bowl, minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience. Forget about endless measuring cups and mixing bowls cluttering your counter! From that single bowl, it’s merely a matter of spooning or piping the beautifully smooth batter into your donut pan, and letting your oven do the rest. This streamlined process makes these vegan baked chocolate peppermint donuts a fantastic option for even the busiest of bakers, ensuring you can whip up a delightful treat without the usual kitchen chaos.
No Donut Pan? No Problem! Creative Alternatives for Everyone
A common question I receive from eager bakers is what to do if they don’t own a specialized donut pan. While I highly recommend investing in one for consistent results and that classic donut shape, it’s certainly not a deal-breaker for enjoying this recipe. Here’s my best advice:
- Consider a Donut Pan: For the best experience and the joy of perfectly shaped donuts, ordering a donut pan is a worthwhile investment. You’ll want to make these (and other baked donuts) again and again!
- Muffin Tin Magic: If you’re eager to bake these right away and don’t have a donut pan, a standard muffin tin works wonderfully. Simply spoon the batter into muffin cups. They’ll bake up just as deliciously moist and flavorful, though they’ll take on a muffin shape instead of a donut. You might need to add about 5 extra minutes to the baking time to ensure they’re cooked through. While perhaps not quite as “fun” as a donut, they are absolutely equally delicious and satisfying.
Wholesome Ingredients for a Guilt-Free Indulgence
While these chocolate peppermint donuts are undoubtedly a delightful treat, they are also on the healthier side, thanks to their thoughtful selection of simple, plant-based ingredients. We believe that deliciousness doesn’t have to compromise on wholesome goodness. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect texture and flavor profile, ensuring a donut that’s both decadent and satisfying without any unnecessary extras.
- Flour: We typically use all-purpose flour for a classic donut texture, but this recipe is incredibly versatile. For those seeking a gluten-free option, a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend can be successfully substituted, ensuring everyone can enjoy these treats. Whole wheat or pastry flour can also be used for a slightly different, equally delightful result.
- Maple Syrup: Our natural sweetener of choice, maple syrup, not only adds a lovely depth of flavor but also keeps the donuts naturally sweetened, avoiding refined sugars. It contributes to the moist texture and complements the chocolate and peppermint beautifully.
- Mashed Banana: Beyond its natural sweetness, mashed banana acts as a wonderful binder and provides essential moisture, contributing to the donuts’ soft, tender crumb. It also allows us to reduce the amount of added fats.
- Peppermint Extract: This is where the holiday magic happens! A good quality peppermint extract is key to achieving that distinct, refreshing peppermint flavor that balances the rich chocolate. Start with the recommended amount and adjust to your personal preference for a subtle hint or a bolder kick.
- Nut Butter: Almond butter or peanut butter provides healthy fats and a subtle richness, enhancing the donut’s texture and helping it stay moist. For a nut-free version, sunflower seed butter is an excellent alternative, offering similar texture and flavor without allergens.
- Cocoa Powder: Essential for that deep, rich chocolate flavor, cocoa powder transforms these donuts into a truly indulgent experience. We recommend using a good quality unsweetened cocoa powder to control the sweetness of the overall recipe.
Tips for Baking Perfect Vegan Baked Chocolate Peppermint Donuts
Achieving bakery-worthy vegan donuts at home is simpler than you might think, especially with a few key tips:
Achieving the Right Batter Consistency
The batter for these donuts should be thick but spoonable, similar to a dense cake batter. If it seems too dry, add a tiny bit more almond milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Conversely, if it’s too thin, a tablespoon of extra flour can help. The mashed banana provides most of the moisture, so ensure your banana is ripe (and well-mashed!) for the best results.
Filling Your Donut Pan
For neatly shaped donuts, a piping bag is your best friend. Simply snip off the end (or use a round tip) and pipe the batter evenly into the donut cavities. If you don’t have a piping bag, a ziploc bag with a corner snipped off works just as well. Alternatively, two spoons can be used to carefully spoon the batter into the molds, ensuring not to overfill, as this can lead to misshapen donuts.
Perfecting Your Chocolate Peppermint Glaze
The frosting is what truly elevates these donuts! When melting the chocolate and coconut oil, do so gently in a microwave (in 15-second intervals, stirring in between) or over a double boiler. You want it just melted and smooth. When whisking in the powdered sugar and plant-based milk, start with the recommended amount of milk and add more sparingly, half a teaspoon at a time, until your frosting reaches your desired drizzly or dipping consistency. Too thin, and it won’t coat; too thick, and it will be difficult to spread. For a vibrant peppermint kick, ensure you use a good quality peppermint extract in the frosting as well.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
These Vegan Baked Chocolate Peppermint Donuts are best enjoyed fresh, ideally on the day they are made. The flavors are most vibrant, and the texture is at its peak. Serve them warm or at room temperature alongside a cup of coffee, hot cocoa, or a festive tea for the ultimate holiday treat.
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. The glaze may soften slightly over time, but the donuts will remain wonderfully moist. For longer storage, you can freeze unglazed donuts for up to one month. Thaw them at room temperature and then apply the fresh glaze before serving.
Your New Favorite Holiday Treat Awaits!
We’re absolutely thrilled to share this recipe for Vegan Baked Chocolate Peppermint Donuts with you. They embody everything we love about holiday baking: decadent flavors, simple preparation, and ingredients that make you feel good. We truly believe these will become a seasonal staple in your home, bringing joy and a festive spirit with every bite.
As always, we love to see your culinary creations! If you make these delightful donuts, please snap a photo and share it with us on Instagram @foodwithfeeling. Don’t forget to tag #foodwithfeeling so we can see what deliciousness you’re baking up from the blog!
Chocolate Peppermint Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup of flour, I use all purpose but you can also use whole wheat, pastry flour, or a gluten free 1–1 substitute
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- pinch of salt
- ¼ cup of maple syrup
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons of almond milk
- 3 tablespoons of nut butter- I used peanut butter this time but have also made these with almond butter
- 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract
- 1 medium banana, mashed
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
For the frosting:
- 2 tablespoons of dark chocolate
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
- ½ cup of powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon of plant based milk, plus more as needed
- Crushed peppermint/ Sprinkles for topping if desired
Instructions
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Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a donut pan.
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In a large bowl, mash your banana until few lumps remain. Stir in the milk, nut butter, maple syrup, and peppermint extract. Stir until well combined.
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Over top of the wet ingredients, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder and mix everything together to combine.
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Evenly spoon or pipe the mixture into the 6 donut cavities.
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Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool slightly and then remove from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Make the frosting by melting the chocolate and coconut oil in a small bowl until just melted and smooth. Whisk in the powdered sugar and plant-based milk. Add a teaspoon more milk as needed to reach your desired frosting consistency.
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Dip each cooled donut into the frosting and add crushed peppermint or sprinkles as desired. Enjoy your festive treat!