Introduction

These Chocolate Cake Mix Donuts are a delicious and easy treat you can whip up using a box of cake mix. Perfectly moist and chocolaty, they’re great for breakfast, snack time, or dessert. Plus, you can customize them with your favorite frosting and sprinkles!

The image shows three chocolate donuts placed close together on a wooden cutting board, set on a white marbled surface. Each donut has a smooth, shiny layer of dark chocolate glaze covering the top. Scattered over the glaze are small round sprinkles in bright orange and black, and three white candy eyes with black pupils are arranged playfully on each donut, adding a fun, spooky touch. There is a glittery orange pumpkin decoration in the background, enhancing the Halloween theme. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 box chocolate cake mix (15.25 ounces, or your favorite flavor cake mix)
1 egg
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup milk
Assorted fun sprinkles
1 container chocolate frosting
1 cup confectioners sugar
1-2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

Step 1: For oven baking, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease donut pans with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, beat the cake mix, egg, melted butter, and milk until well combined.
Step 3: Transfer the batter to a large piping bag or resealable bag, then pipe it evenly into the donut pans.
Step 4: Bake the donuts in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 5: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then invert the pans onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Step 6: If using an electric mini doughnut maker, preheat according to manufacturer’s instructions and pipe the batter into the pans.
Step 7: Cook in the doughnut maker for 7-8 minutes until the donuts are fully cooked in the center, then cool on a wire rack.
Step 8: For store-bought frosting, warm the frosting in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute until slightly runny.
Step 9: Drizzle the melted frosting over each donut and top with sprinkles or other decorations as desired.
Step 10: For a simple vanilla glaze, mix the confectioners sugar and milk in a bowl until smooth. Adjust milk to achieve a pourable consistency.
Step 11: Dip cooled donuts into the glaze, then let them set on a rack before adding any final decorations.

Tips & Variations

Use your favorite cake mix flavor to customize the donuts — vanilla, red velvet, or spice work beautifully.
For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon to the batter.
If you don’t have a piping bag, use a spoon to fill the donut pans, but piping helps achieve even shapes.
Try topping with chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or mini chocolate chips for extra texture.
Store-bought frosting can be replaced with cream cheese frosting or a simple powdered sugar glaze for variety.

Storage

Store cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat donuts briefly in the microwave or oven before serving to refresh their soft texture.

How to Serve

Six chocolate donuts sit on a wooden board placed on a white marbled surface with an orange and white striped cloth underneath. Each donut has one thick, glossy layer of dark chocolate glaze covering the top, dripping slightly down the edges. On the glaze are small orange and black round sprinkles scattered unevenly. Each donut is decorated with several white candy eyes with black pupils placed on top of the glaze. There are two orange sparkly pumpkin decorations in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these donuts gluten-free?

Yes, use a gluten-free cake mix to make gluten-free donuts. Just check the ingredients on the mix and frosting for any gluten-containing additives.

Can I bake these donuts without a donut pan?

If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a mini muffin pan to make donut holes, adjusting baking time accordingly. The texture will be similar but the shape will differ.