I’m very particular about my chocolate chip cookies insofar as they must be perfect. And sure, sometimes anything with butter and chocolate will do… but also, life is too short to be futzing around with disappointing cookies.
For my tastes, a cakey chocolate chip cookies can take a long walk off a short pier ;a soggy endeavour to be sure. The rules of cookies engagement state that chocolate chip cookies must be gooey towards the center and buttery crisp around the edges. Unless of course, you’re turning your chocolate chip cookie into something donut-shaped and glazed, in which case cakey is a go. Listen, I don’t make up the rules, I’m just here to nag you with them. (Also… I totally make up the rules).
In an effort to turn our favorite dessert into our other favorite dessert, our cookies have gone donuts.
Added bonus, I used the word ‘insofar’ and it felt pretty fantastic.
We’re making baked donuts which has two requirements: a baked donut pan (I went mini this go-round) and Browned Butter. If you’re new to the ways of browned butter, here’s how to be part of the magic.
Before the doughnut batter comes together, we start with the topping layers. The crumb topping!
It may feel counter-intuitive, but this buttery, sweet, sandy mixture comes together on the stovetop. Melt butter, stir in sugar, cinnamon, and salt… then work in the flour creating a sandy crumb. Allow to cool before adding the mini chocolate chips. This glorious crumble tastes just like chocolate chip cookie crumbs!
This is a small batch recipe, creating 6 regular size baked donuts or 12 mini baked donuts.
Flour, baking powder, baking soda, a hint of cinnamon, and brown sugar to make our cookie cake batter.
I melted all of the browned butter at once. We’ve got browned butter going into the donut batter and into the sweet glaze.
For the donut batter: milk, egg, browned butter, and vanilla.
Stir the wet into the dry ingredients. This is a friendly batter. Nothing too complicated.
Mini chocolate chips because they’re exactly precious enough for these little donut bites.
Into the mini donut pans and ready for the oven. We’ve got two pans and just enough batter to fill both.
This recipe is easy to double depending on how many you need to feed.
While the donuts bake, we stir the chocolate chips into the cooled crumble topping, and whisk together the brown butter glaze.
If you find that your chocolate is melting in the crumble topping, just pop it in the freezer to fast chill.
Baked, cooled, and ready to dip and top.
Flip these donuts from the pan and frost the smooth round side.
An assembly situation: dipped in glaze and sprinkled generously with crumb!
The mini donuts are two bite wonders. I like them still warm with melted chocolate insides. The batter isn’t too sweet but hold up well to the chocolate and sweet glaze. Cookie donuts and we’re not even sorry!
PrintMini Chocolate Chip Cookie Baked Donuts
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 8
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 12
Ingredients
For the Crumble
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup lightly packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- big pinch of salt
- scant ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
For the Donuts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/3 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons browned butter (add an extra tablespoons of butter to the pan before browning so there’s enough after some of the butter evaporates off during browning)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
For the Glaze
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- big pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons browned butter
- 2 tablespoons whole milk, plus more if necessary
- splash pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- To make the crumble, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until just combined. Add the flour and quickly stir into the butter and sugar mixture. Continue to cook over low heat, lightly breaking up some of the larger bits until the mixture is thoroughly combined. The mixture will resemble wet sand. Cook over low heat for 3 minutes before turning out onto a plate to cool.
- Once mixture is cooled, toss in the chocolate chips.
- To make the doughnuts, place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease two mini doughnut pans and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and sugar. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter for the doughnuts and the glaze. Butter will begin to crackle and pop as it melts. That’s the water melting out of the butter. Once the water has evaporated the butter will quiet down and begin to brown. Keep an eye on it, it browns quickly. The butter will begin to smell nutty. Remove from heat and immediately transfer browned butter (brown bits and all) to a small bowl.
- In a small bowl whisk together egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Measure out 2 tablespoons of browned butter and whisk into the wet ingredients.
- Add the wet ingredients all at once to the dry ingredients. Stir together until no flour bits remain and all of the ingredients are well combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Try not to overmix the batter. That might create rubbery doughnuts.
- Use a small spoon to dollop batter into the prepared pan. Smooth out and fill each doughnut in the pan three-quarters full with batter.
- Place in the oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes for mini donuts, 8 to 10 minutes for regular baked donuts. Keep an eye on them and try not to over-bake them. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the glaze, in a medium bowl whisk together powdered sugar, salt, butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and juuust pourable. Add more milk or powdered sugar as necessary to adjust consistency.
- To assemble the doughnuts, dip the doughnuts in the glaze, shake off excess, cover with crumb topping and allow to set for 15 minutes before serving. Donuts are best served within 2 days of baking.
Katie
How do you make chocolate chip cookies even better? Or rather, because chocolate chip cookies are already the best, how do you create a whole ‘nother world of possibility with them? DONUTS. I didn’t know I wanted these until I saw this!
Aleeha
These just look too good not to make! These are definitely cuter than normal chocolate chip cookies!
Aleeha xXx
http://www.halesaaw.com/
sarah
I have an absolutely awful time with my donuts always sticking to my pans. Any recommendations? (I mean I usually just eat the crumbs anyways but it’d be nice to actually have a nice looking donut!)
joythebaker
I use this nonstick pan http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KBNSS06DG-6-Cavity-Professional-Grade-Nonstick/dp/B00M53ZRP8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=joythebak00-20&linkId=bd65f2d3a85b9a0bb418d550b015617b it should help!
Lizzie
You had me at “This glorious crumble tastes just like chocolate chip cookie crumbs!” I may just make the crumble by itself and eat it with a spoon.
sweetteasweetie (@SweetTSweetie)
These look so delicious! Love that they are minis!~
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
dessertfortwo
First of all, these sound INCREDIBLE.
Second, I have made your browned butter baked donuts MANY times, and I freaking love them! I can’t wait to try this variation!!
eadevoie
I am totally in your camp of my firm hatred for cakey chocolate chip cookies, but these cakey chocolate chip donuts look like they are to die for!
theriswardrobe
Oh God, this looks so good! Have to try this recipe myself sometime – but maybe after the summer season … :)
Love, Theresa
theriswardrobe.com
writely2015
Looks like more kitchen equipment in my future. I clearly need a donut pan.
Alexe @ Keys to the Cucina
These look so scrumptious and that crumble looks irresistible :)
Jenny R
Great recipe! Do you think a muffin tin (mini or regular) could be used in place of a donut pan?
Thanks!
Jenny
joythebaker
oh good question! i think you could totally turn these into muffins. I would start with doubling the recipe and filling the liners about 2/3 full. Baking for 15 to 18 minutes. Cool. Dip in glaze and top with crumble. Let me know how it goes!
Abby @ Heart of a Baker
Ohhh girl, that crumble though!!
Faith from Home Ec @ Home
I’m with you on the cookie analysis and those look amazing!
Taylor
Oh my goodness, these look amazing! I am going to have to try this!
T x
http://www.noelbeauty411.com
Erin | Well Plated
I have mad respect for your cookie standards. Also, loving the crumbs on top of these little guys!