These soft and decadent vegan chocolate peanut butter doughnuts are such a treat! Taking under thirty minutes to make and bake, they are full of rich chocolate flavor and nutty peanut butter taste. These baked donuts are made with simple ingredients likely already in your kitchen.
Is there anything better in life than peanut butter and chocolate? I do not think so. I am peanut butter obsessed and if I can add chocolate, even better. It is true comfort.
I knew I had to make a vegan donut with the flavor paring because, well, I am a bit donut obsessed.
Check out my other vegan donut recipes, such as this vegan peanut butter and jelly donut recipe, this vegan vanilla donut recipe, and this vegan maple pecan donut recipe.
And then there are my lemon blueberry donuts, which are by far the most popular recipe on my blog.
Why am I donut obsessed you may ask? Well, a large part has to do with my grandmother who would force-feed me donuts every time I would go over to her house.
But also, baked vegan donuts are super to make, taking less than 15 minutes to prep and less than 20 minutes to make.
As you know, I am a lazy vegan recipe developer, who does not want to spend hours in the kitchen cooking or baking. I want my food ASAP, and I do not want to wait around forever for it. So, donuts are the perfect lazy vegan sweet treat!
These eggless donuts are soft, moist, and perfectly thick cake-donut, baked to perfection, then topped with creamy peanut butter frosting.
Why We Love Chocolate Peanut Butter Doughnuts
No Frying - Unlike regular donuts, these donuts do not require any frying - yes, no mess! They are baked in the oven, making them the perfect simple treat.
Refined Sugar-Free- Egg-free donuts that are not loaded with sugar, and instead, use maple syrup. Therefore, the donut itself is refined sugar-free - the only sugar is in the peanut butter frosting, which can easily be left out.
Portable- These donuts transport well. You can bring them to picnics, potlucks or gatherings. Simply place them in a glass or plastic container, and you are good to go!
Quick & Easy- Vegan donuts that take under 15 minutes to prep and under 15 minutes to bake? Yes, please! You do not need much time to enjoy a delicious treat like this.
Ingredients & Equipment
These vegan donuts are made with easy-to-find ingredients, that are so simple, they are likely already in your pantry.
You will need a donut tray. I bought my silicone donut tray on amazon for under $10.
To make these chocolate peanut butter doughnuts, you will need the following ingredients: all-purpose flour; baking soda; baking powder; salt; maple syrup; almond milk; vegan butter; vanilla extract; cocoa powder; and crushed dark chocolate peanut butter cups.
You will also need confectionary sugar and peanut butter for the frosting itself.
Making the Donuts
This recipe is SO simple to make.
First, you will preheat your oven and grease your donut tray. I used this donut tray from amazon, which works super well. The pack actually comes with three. I usually grease my donut tray with coconut oil spray or melted vegan butter.
Next, mix together all of your dry ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Do not mix in the crushed peanut butter cups yet.
In a separate, smaller bowl, mix your wet ingredients.
Combine the wet batter into the dry batter, stirring often.
Next, fold the chopped peanut butter cups into the batter. Think of folding as folding clothes. You will use a spatula and fold the batter on top of the peanut butter cups.
Now you will spoon the batter into the donut molds until it is approx ¾ full. See the picture for visual assistance.
These vegan donuts are extremely quick to bake, taking less than 20 minutes. Once they are done baking, let them cool for approx. 15 minutes then glaze them. If you glaze them while they are hot, the glaze will completely drip off.
MAKING THE PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING
This frosting is extremely easy to make! Place all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, and whisk.
If you prefer a thinner frosting, add additional plant-based milk.
If you prefer or a thicker frosting, add more confectionary sugar.
Substitutions & Tips!
Substitutions
Please note, I have only tried this recipe with all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour. I have not tried it with almond flour, gluten-free flour, or any other flour.
You may use any plant based milk for these donuts.
Storage
To store these peanut butter chocolate doughnuts, place them in an air-tight container in a dry cool place. They will keep well for approximately 4-5 days. If you want to keep them fresher longer, store them in the fridge.
Please note, these donuts are moist, so if you store them in a warm or hot environment, they will spoil, so keep them in the fridge if its hot.
Tips
Be sure to allow the donuts to cool down before frosting them.
My favorite vegan peanut butter cups are Lily’s brand.
I use Hershey Dark Chocolate cocoa powder, which is vegan (at the time of this post - be sure to always check, as ingredients in products change).
FAQ
Most donuts are not vegan, as they contain dairy, butter and eggs. These donuts are 100% vegan.
These donuts are baked and therefore, cake-like.
Nope, they are YEAST FREE!
Do You Love Donuts? I do!
If you like baked vegan donuts, I have a plethora of recipes for you!
My vegan peanut butter and jelly donut recipe are sweet, salty, and perfection.
My vegan vanilla donut recipe has a delicious glaze and is the perfect staple.
If you are a maple lover like me, try this vegan maple pecan donut recipe.
And then there are my lemon blueberry donuts, which are by far the most popular recipe on my blog.
Easy Peanut Butter Doughnuts (vegan)
Equipment
- donut tray
Ingredients
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp peanut butter melted
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup plant based milk
- 1 tsp plant based milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp vegan butter melted
- 2 tbsp peanut butter cups crushed, vegan
Peanut Butter Frosting
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- 2 tbp vegan butter room tempature
- ¾ cup confectionary sugar
- 1-2 tsp plant based milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all of your dry ingredients (not peanut butter or peanut butter cups) and mix until the ingredients are combined.
- In a medium size mixing bowl, combine all of your wet ingredients, including your melted peanut butter, and whisk until the ingredients are combined and a dough forms.Note: You will still not add in the PB cups yet.
- Now, fold in you crushed peanut butter cups.
- Using any left over melted butter (I scraped the bottom of the bowl I used to heat it up) or using canola oil, lightly grease the donut tray.
- Fill each donut mold evenly, with the mixture coming right to the top (see picture above). It is approximatelt ¾ full and this recipe will make four donuts.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until you can insert a toothpick with it coming out clean.
- While the donuts are baking, begin making the frosting. Mix all ingredients into a bowl and whisk vigrously. If you desire a thinner frosting, add in more plant based milk.
- Once the donuts are done baking, allow them to cool for 15 minutes. Then pipe or spoon your frosting onto the donuts. Option to top with more crushed peanut butter cups.
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