Let’s kick off May with these Chocolate Peanut Brittle Baked Donuts!
Did your jaw just drop? Mine did too!
These Chocolate Peanut Brittle Baked Donuts are surely one for the books!
Not only are they the perfect pick me up morning, noon or night (hey, chocolate can fit anytime!), but they’re also packed with good for you foods, like Greek yogurt, peanut butter and whole grains. Shh, don’t tell!
As a kid, I grew up with the wonderful Entenmann’s Chocolate Donuts. I capitalize that because it truly was a special occasion when these gems graced the Zabel refrigerator. Refrigerator?
Yes, my father had to have his chocolate cold. Thus, anything with even the slightest glaze of chocolate got placed in the fridge. Ironically, I now prefer my donuts hot… oh how times change!
Now, these donuts. Why did I feel the need to make such a crazy concoction? Well, since you asked, here’s what was going on inside my head!
- You need to make something with that coconut yogurt.
- Donut day is coming up. You haven’t made a donut in a while.
- Oh yum, these new peanut granola bars taste like peanut brittle.
- I love powdered peanut butter.
- OMG, I’ve got it! Chocolate Peanut Brittle Baked Donuts!
So, yaaasss… That’s how these beauties came about!
Like I said, these Chocolate Peanut Brittle Baked Donuts feature a few stealth health moves. Instead of using shortening like a traditional donut, I went ahead and simple swapped with Greek yogurt and a vegan margarine. This helps keep the total fat down, while also providing a rich, creamy flavor. Also, I decided to use cocoa powder to add the chocolatey flavor instead of melted milk chocolate, lowering the total calories of the dish.
Though I love traditional peanut brittle, I knew that would defeat the purpose of these baked donuts and stealth health maneuvers. So, that’s when the peanut granola bar came to the rescue! I chopped it up into small, tiny pieces and viola, homemade simple swapped peanut brittle in a flash! You’re welcome!
Cocoa Peanut Brittle Baked Donuts
Ingredients
- ¼ packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt divided
- 1 cup milk divided
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup powdered peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 peanut nut bar chopped*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375* F.
- In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, sugar, maple syrup, margarine, egg whites, vanilla yogurt, milk and vanilla.
- Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
- On a sheet of wax paper, sift the white whole wheat flour. (Make sure to measure out flour first then sift).
- Combine sifted flour to the large bowl with other ingredients. Do not mix yet!
- Add peanut powder, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Now, mix on medium speed with your electric mixer for 3-4 minutes.
- Spray a donut pan with cooking spray.
- Pour batter into a large ziplock bag, cutting a small hole in the corner of the bag.
- Fill donut pan with batter.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes. Remove and let cool on a wire rack.
- Repeat again for remaining batter.
- Allow donuts to cool on wire rack.
- To make frosting, mix 1 tablespoon yogurt, 3 tablespoons of milk and powdered sugar in small bowl.
- Drizzle over top of donuts and top with chopped nut brittle (aka granola bar pieces)!
Jenna @ Make Healthy Easy says
I’m starting to sense you have a thing for donuts…
Also, I grew up with those Entenman’s chocolate donuts being a special treat too. My mom would bring them when we went to Disney World. Love food memories.
Elizabeth Shaw says
LOL I love donuts, but interestingly, only cake donuts! I could past on a yeast anyway lol! I need to make it to Disney World!
Anne|Craving Something Healthy says
Holy Moses! I could dig right into these!! I used to love those Entenmann’s chocolate donuts cold too – so the icing would crack when I bit into it. Good times 🙂
Elizabeth Shaw says
LOL I loved those! Hope you enjoy Anne!
Elizabeth Shaw says
#stealthhealth for the win! Enjoy!
Fran @ G'day Souffle' says
I remember Entenmnanns baked goods- I wonder if they’re still around? These doughnuts looks like they have a nice combination of crunch and ‘meltingness- NICE!
Elizabeth Shaw says
Thanks Fran! I do believe they are still there in the market- hidden amongst Hostess and the like lol!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
These look amazing Liz! I knew I’d love them as soon as I saw your FB post asking for feedback on the pics, which are gorgeous btw! So funny about Entenmann’s – I grew up eating all things Entenmann’s! I remember some people kept the chocolate glazed donuts in the fridge, but not us!!
Elizabeth Shaw says
LOL- I knew there was another RDN who would know what’s up with those past time donuts! I saw last Thanksgiving they make a pumpkin spice now, too! LOL
Emily says
What beautiful pictures, these look so amazing!!
Elizabeth Shaw says
Thanks Emily, I’d make them for you anytime!
Serena says
Yup. I need one of these with my AM coffee. Will be making!
Elizabeth Shaw says
AM coffee or PM glass of milk, I won’t complain!
Allie says
OH MY GOODNESS THESE LOOK DIVINE!
Elizabeth Shaw says
Thanks Allie!