Gluten Free Baked Chocolate Chile Mocha Donuts combines the richness of chocolate with a little heat. Throw in some espresso powder and you have the perfect afternoon “pick me up” treat.
Do you like donuts? Do you find yourself driving to your favourite coffee shop to grab a treat? Have you ever tried making donuts at home?
Baking donuts is so much fun. Seriously why did I not know of this long ago? My baba would make “cake” donuts. Any excuse to buy more kitchen toys works for me. You can’t bake donuts without donut pans right??
Well, you actually can. Baba didn’t have donut pans. She rolled the dough and used a cookie cutter. Don’t get me wrong, they were delicious for sure. However, I LOVE buying stuff for the kitchen (I need a bigger kitchen), so now I have donut pans.
Gluten Free Baking
A challenge is always a good thing for me. Experimenting with gluten free baking is something I do every so often. With all the different types of flours, gluten free baking has come a long way since its beginnings.
Today you can find all kinds of gluten free pasta, bread and baked goods in the grocery stores. Have you ever tried any gluten free? You can’t tell the difference. We actually prefer gluten free pasta over regular pasta.
Since we have some friends that prefer gluten free baking, I am always on the lookout for something new and exciting to make. These Gluten Free Baked Chocolate Chile Mocha Donuts are a hit!!
Baked Not Fried
Do you like fried foods? Some people totally crave it. We don’t like deep fried anything in our house. Fries, chicken wings, egg rolls, and even bacon, if it can be baked (or grilled) that is how we make it.
Baking donuts is so much fun. It really is not much different than making cupcakes or muffins. Mix up the batter and put it in the pan. The easiest way I have found to get the batter in the pan is with a piping bag and large tip.
What’s Your Favourite Flavour?
The possibilities are endless when baking donuts. Whatever you can think up, you can bake. In our house chocolate is always a hit. We also like spicy. Have you ever tried the Starbucks Chile Mocha or the Lindt Excellence Chili?
Combining our favourite flavours of coffee and chocolate, adding some heat from Aleppo chilies, tasty donuts are only minutes away. Dipped in a chocolate milk glaze, these are the perfect afternoon treat.
If you haven’t already tried baking donuts at home, get some donut pans and experiment. You won’t be disappointed. Fresh donuts are always a hit.
Coming home from school, an afternoon coffee break, or even to say “I Love You”, these Gluten Free Baked Chocolate Chile Mocha Donuts will win them over every time!!
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Looking for another great gluten free treat? Try some Hemp Heart Cookies.
Gluten Free Baked Chocolate Chile Mocha Donuts
Gluten Free Baked Chocolate Chile Mocha Donuts combine the richness of chocolate, espresso powder, and a kick of chile heat. Perfect for the afternoon "pick me up".
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp espresso powder
- 1/2 tsp Aleppo chili flakes (or your choice of chili powder)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup chocolate chips (melted)
- 2 cups gluten free flour blend
For the Chocolate Milk Glaze:
- 1 cup icing sugar
- chocolate milk (to thin the glaze)
Instructions
For the Donuts:
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Preheat oven to 375º F and spray your donut pans with cooking spray.
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In a bowl sift flour, espresso powder, baking powder and chile flakes. Set aside.
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Using a mixer (hand held or stand) beat butter, cream cheese, sugar and salt until smooth and fluffy.
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Beat in eggs (one at a time).
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Melt your chocolate chips. (I used the microwave).
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Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter/sugar mixture. Beat until just combined. Do not over mix.
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Blend in the melted chocolate.
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Place batter into piping bag that has a large nozzle/tip attached.
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Pipe batter into pans.
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Bake for 15 minutes.
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Remove from oven. Take donuts out of pan and place on cooling rack.
For the Chocolate Milk Glaze:
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Combine icing sugar and chocolate milk to form a glaze. Add the milk SLOWLY to the icing sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
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Dip each donut into the glaze. Decorate with sprinkles (optional). Let harden.
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ENJOY!!
Recipe Notes
For another great gluten free treat try some Hemp Heart Cookies.
Chocolate and chili is one of my favorite combinations. And donuts are my favorite indulgence. I think you’ve convinced me to buy a donut pan! 🙂
These donuts are so addictive…and delicious.
Ahh these sound so so good, can’t wait to try them out (and then hide them from the kids 🙂 )
HAHAH…yes they did not last long in my house either.
I love the combination of flavors you have used in these donuts!! A party in your mouth!!!
They were so much fun to make…and did not last long in the house.
Love the flavour combination!
Yes…simple flavours that create a totally delicious dinner.
I absolutely love baking homemade donuts and I love that these are gluten-free and include espresso! I can’t wait to try this recipe. I’m thinking it would be perfect for my kiddos for Valentine’s Day morning!
My grandkids loved them!!
These look delicious!
Thanks very much.
I’ve never made baked donuts (only fried). I like the flavor combo that you’ve used, and the decoration is so pretty!
Baked are sooooo much better than fried.
Such a fun flavor combo!
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you give them a try.
It is time to get myself a doughnut pan!!!!
YEEEESSS!!!!
Looks wonderful! Chocolate+chili+mocha – interesting flavor combo.
The flavours go so well together. These did not last long in our house. Even the grandkids loved them.
I had no idea doughnut pans were a thing! I always wondered how food bloggers managed such perfectly round, uniform doughnuts – mind blown! Love the colorful sugar crystals on top. 🙂
I know…that is what I thought when I found out about donut pans. They are so cool.
love all the Mexican flavors in these!
Spicy and sweet….a winning combination.
I love an excuse to use my donut pan and to remake a tradition bad food into good. 🙂
Yup…baked donuts are much healthier for sure.
I am very scared to even think of trying to bake donuts , my grandmother also never had donut pans she deep fried them but they were always perfectly shaped ! I feel like donuts are a different ballgame from muffins and cakes ,, what advice can you give me to begin? In terms of what to pay attention to ? I would love to make my own gluten free donuts
Don’t be scared..it’s not much different than making muffins or cupcakes. Give it a try…you will see how easy it is.
Yes, espresso does make everything better! I don’t know who the genius was that decided to add espresso to baked good, but that is the best thing EVER. Love that these are gluten-free as well.
Chocolate and espresso is a match made in heaven.
I am lucky that I am not required to do gluten free but still enjoy the gluten free recipes. I bought some doughnut baking pans, regular size and the minis, and love finding new recipes for them. These sound so great with the hint of spiciness with the chocolate! Love the combo and those sprinkles on top really remind me of my childhood!
We don’t require gluten free here either, but I love to experiment. You would not tell the difference..they are delicious.
I have one of these donut pans, and we have been talking about getting it out and making some. These are the perfect thing to make with the pan. I love all the sprinkles you have on them too!
They are so much fun to make…and delicious to eat.
These donuts look so cute and perfect for Valentines. I love the fact that they are baked & glutenfree, so 2 good reasons to eat that 2nd or 3rd extra one 😉 Whenever I go shopping, I’ve to remind myself that I’ve even run out of the hiding spaces, leave alone the kitchen cabinets.
HAHA…yes finding more space is a challenge all on its own. The pans are small…so it’s not hard to hide them away.
Mmm!! You did a great job on these donuts! The icing looks so good I want to lick one on my screen lol!!
Kne
They were fun to make…and so fun to eat.
I too make gluten free dishes occasionally. Your baked donuts with chocolate , chilie and mocha sounds perfect for the breakfast. I like that pink colored sugar sprinkle which make this great valentine dish.
Yes I guess breakfast would be a great time to enjoy them as well.
Haha I would find any excuse to buy new stuff for the kitchen too! So yay for baked doughnuts and a new doughnut pan. We don’t mind frying though…it just drives our smoke detector crazy! I haven’t actually tried making doughnuts at home, so this would be a great way to start.
I have never really liked the “fried” donuts….I always feel crappy after eating them. Now…baked donuts on the other hand…they are totally delicious. Us food bloggers always need a reason to buy new tools right?? You can’t make donuts without a pan (even though baba didn’t have any trouble).
Isn’t that the truth about building a bigger kitchen to store our pans?! “No honey, this is inventory, not waste.” Chili and chocolate is my latest favorite surprise combination. People are always amazed when I tell them what the secret ingredient is.
HAHAH…yes inventory…you are right. Chili and chocolate pair so well together.
See, this is exactly why I need to purchase a donut pan! I was just telling my friend the other day that I haven’t had a donut in years since the shops don’t seem to sell gluten free. Thanks for the recipe!
YUP…get yourself a pan…and bake up some gluten free donuts. You will be so happy!!
I absolutely love a little spice in my chocolate. The Starbucks Chile Mocha is one of my favorites and I use my donut pan far too little. Can’t wait to try these!
This is the perfect reason to pull out those pans….and I love that Starbucks drink too!!
I am like you. I buy way too many kitchen gadgets but also use them quite a bit. No kitchen is big enough for food bloggers. The donuts look amazing and baked ones are a bonus. You have hit the right track with the chile, chocolate and espresso and the clicks are amazing!
Yes…NO kitchen is big enough. I know for a fact if mine was bigger, I would buy MORE stuff. These donuts are so delicious…they did not last long in our house.
Your donuts certainly look tempting and I’m like you — I love kitchen gadgets of all kinds. I don’t have a donut pan nor have I made donuts for several years. The recipe is urging me to get off my duff and make some. The colored sugar is the perfect finish.
YES go get a pan…well at least 2 (since one pan only makes 6 donuts). Once you bake these…the donut shop does not compare!!
Wow, I love the combination of flavors you’ve got going on in these donuts. And I’m all about new kitchen anything myself. I think I’m starting to run out of space though. But I guess you can always make room for things like donut pans..:)
HAHAH…well actually 2 donut pans. I know if I had a bigger kitchen I would be buying more stuff!!
Oh, these donuts are so cute! I love the pink tint to the sugar sprinkles. I have been wanting a donut pan for soooooo long. But, I keep reminding myself that I am running out of storage room in my kitchen. I think that’s one of the biggest downfalls of being a food blogger – we collect way too many dishes and things. 🙂
I love that these little guys are gluten free too – that makes me think I can eat two. 🙂
Yup us food bloggers do collect A LOT of stuff….but hey, you can’t make stuff without stuff right!! YES eat 2…they are so delicious.
I started baking donuts about 6 months ago and we love them. Your recipe is such a great blend of spice and sweet. I have been experimenting with gluten free flour so I am looking forward to making these for my family.
You would never know they are gluten free. They did not last long in our house.
You’ve read my mind! I’m dreaming about donuts for last few days and I was just looking for some inspiration. These donuts look so delicious. I love espresso-chili combo here. Pinning to try these!
Hope you enjoy them as much as WE DID. I think I will have to make more …. like really soon.
Such big flavors in these beauties! I love that they are baked instead of fried!
Baked taste so much better…and are so fun to make.
Oh my goodness. This pan is on the list and can’t wait to try this.
They are so much fun to make…and more fun to eat.
Oh I love my donut pan and making baked donuts never feels like a guilty decision 🙂 Love these! Can’t wait to try!
Totally agree…they don’t make be feel guilty at all.
Baked doughnuts are so much healthier, love these and the interesting mix of chocolate and chile
It pairs so well together.
These are so pretty with the sprinkles, Gloria! And I love those flavours, sounds so yummy! I’m super impressed you made gluten-free donuts 🙂
They are so delicious…and you would not even know they are gluten free.
Ha! Ha! I agree with you that it is so much fun getting new kitchen tools but my current kitchen is sooooo tiny I really don’t have room for anything else (probably 80% of my things are already in storage. That said, I do have 2 donut pans because who could resist cakes in the shape of inner tubes (I made pool float donuts last time I used them). And these donuts.. .you can never go wrong when you give chocolate a little kick with chili pepper. But I have to ask, wherever did you get your Aleppo pepper? I tried to by some around Thanksgiving for a potato dish I was cooking and found it impossible to find given the situation in Syria.
I get the majority of my spices “online”….I do believe there is a link at the bottom of the post.
These looks great! Send me some now! haha
Thanks for stopping by.
I have a baked gluten free cinnamon roll donut recipe that I love so that’s probably my favorite flavor, but this looks excellent!
Gluten free baking has come such a long way over the years.
Chocolate and Chile is one of my favorite flavor combos!
They do pair well together.
These look gourmet!. Thank you for joining us at the #HomeMattersParty
I have seen the baked donut pans and was tempted but held off. Now I am going to go grab one. Its not the end of the world if you eat one fried donut occasionally, but I wouldn’t want a dozen of them. I would end up tossing them out. This will be fun to try. Thanks for sharing.
Hope you give them a try. They are fun, easy and so delicious.
These photos are incredible! So sparkly and fun. I bought a mini doughnut pan years ago but they just get stuck in there (gluten free recipes). I want to buy a full sized pan– and try these!
They are fun….delicious….and such a hit!!
So cute with the sprinkles on top! I am a huge fan of baked doughnuts. Definitely need to add them to the menu plan soon. I love that you made them gluten free!
It was a fun and delicious little experiment.
The flavours in these sound beautiful! I love homemade baked donuts as they are so much healthier (or at least less unhealthy) than store-bought ones! I’d also like to experiment more with gluten-free baking and these are a great choice to serve to guests who can’t eat gluten.
They certainly are delicious that is for sure.
Pinned them to my Coffee Addiction board as well 🙂
Thanks so much. Hope you give them a try.
Those doughnuts look amazing. And this combinations of flavours… my favourite! I tried baking with gf flour but I was never really successful. I need to give it a go again.
It may not be the flour. You have to look at the recipe and increase baking powder/baking soda measurements.
Baked donuts?? I can’t wait to try! These donuts look amazing and the fact that they are baked has me excited.
Baked donuts are so much better than fried.
You’re so adventurous! I agree how gluten=free baking has come SUCH a long way, and these donuts are pretty much proof of that! Gorgeous, too!
Thanks so much. They really taste great…you would never know they are gluten free!!
Wow, those donuts sound delish! It’s been so long since I’ve had a traditional donut (years!) and it’s been a while since I’ve made any baked ones. I need to make some again, thanks for the reminder!
Baked ones are so much better…and so fun to make.
These look delicious! My favorite truffles have cinnamon and chile powder in them. Love chile powder in baked goods!
It works so well!!
O-M-G! These look absolutely incredible! I went gluten free this year and totally need some tasty recipes to try!
Hope you give these a try.
These are so unique and beautiful!
Easy and oh so delicious.
Oh yum — the flavors in these sound amazing! I actually have donut pans already, so I’m all set. I’ve never tried making gluten-free ones before, but I do love to experiment with gluten-free baking whenever possible. Thanks for the inspiration!
Give it a try…you will see how easy it is.
I was just talking about getting doughnut pans! After seeing these beautiful doughnuts, I’m going to order some straight away.
They are so much fun to make.
Wow – that chocolate/chili combo is spot on! And the sprinkles make them so festive!
Thanks so much.
I got a doughnut pan like that for Christmas, so I may try to make this recipe soon, as it looks amazing! Karen
Totally LOVE my little donut pans!!
Apparently I need a donut mold. Chile mocha is my jam! Love it!
YES….you need a donut pan!!
Oh these look so delicious..! I love that they are gluten free!! and I love the combination of Chocolate and Chilly. Think I’m gonna make it for a friend’s daughter who is gluten free.. ! think she will love it.
They are so easy….and totally delicious. Even my grandkids loved them.
I’m all about gluten free! These look so delicious 🙂
Thanks so much…they totally are.
I have never tried baked donuts but now I need to. Your recipe sounds delicious and I love the combination of chocolate and chili flakes.
Baked donuts are so easy….and totally delicious.
My husband made crullers a week ago and sour cream doughnuts this week. I see a chocolate doughnut in our future! Thanks ::)
Totally ENJOY!!
I love these are gluten free! I have never made donuts at home, but this is inspiring!
It is soooo much fun.
I was so going to pass on these but then you said gluten free and stop right there. I need them!
YES…you do!!
Yum, I love donuts! I am amazed that these are gluten free, they look delicious!
They taste delicious too!!
Oh my these look amazing. I am so buying me a pan so I can make me some doughnuts.
Have so much fun…and enjoy!!
They look extremely delicious. I’m tempted to make these but I do need a donut pan first.
Always a great reason to go shopping!!
OH I am sharing these with my best friend who is gluten free. She loves these types of flavors! And I am obsessed with your little donut tin!
It is a fun little kitchen tool.
I love baking donuts with my kids. We love a good whole wheat blueberry donut! These sound like good ones to try next time.
My grandkids loved them.
I had to share these on favebook earlier because they’re gluten free and so many of my friends cannot eat gluten. They look delicious, I want to try making donuts sometime. Thanks for the recipe.
They are fun and easy to make.Thanks so much for sharing.
They look delicious!
They certainly are.
This will be good with a coffee in the morning. Thanks for sharing!
Yes for sure.
Wow, your doughnuts look so yummy. I like the idea of baking them instead of frying, so much better for you. Thanks for sharing.
Yes…they taste so much better.