So this whole Valentine's Day coming up soon is definitely just an excuse for me to bake ridiculous things. Case in point: Red Velvet Cake Donuts.

A few weekends ago, my Business Man and I visited the new Tim Horton's here in the Bean Town for the first time. I'd never set foot in a Tim Horton's before, and was pretty much enamored with all the flavors of donut holes, or "Tim Bits". Instead of just having to settle on one or two donut flavors, I got to pick 10 different flavors for each of the Tim Bits in my 10-pack. (Well, I don't think they had 10 flavors... maybe only 6 but you get the idea.)

They came in such a cute little package too! (Yes, I am a marketer's dream...)

While I went the Tim Bit route, my Business Man went the traditional route - with an old fashioned sour cream donut. And then he went the not-so-traditional route... with a Red Velvet Donut! 

And he said it was absolutely amazing. (I had a bite, and thought it was a bit much for breakfast. But it would make a good dessert!)


So, after school this afternoon, I felt like experimenting a bit in the kitchen. I set out to find a baked red velvet donut recipe. I purchased a donut pan almost an entire year ago and it has been sitting in the cabinet ever since. I figured it was high time to put it to use.


The thing about a baked donut is that you cannot expect it to taste like a traditional fried donut. Nothing can really replace that deep-fried goodness. But these come close! And they're much, much healthier than their fried counterpart.


These Red Velvet Cake Donuts are light & cakey donuts with a hint of cocoa flavor, topped with a simple vanilla glaze. A delicious healthy(ier) breakfast option to make for the ones you love.

Just a note - be careful not to over-bake these, or they will dry out! Also, the dough is pretty thick. You might have to use your hands to help guide it into the donut pan.

[Click to PRINT]

Red Velvet Cake Donuts

Servings/Yield

10-12 donuts

• For the donuts
• 2¼ cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted
• ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• For the glaze
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1 tablespoon milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

Preheat oven to 350*F. Spray donut pan with cooking spray. (Or, you could use muffin tins. You'd just have muffin-shaped donuts.)

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar and egg. Add butter and melted chocolate; whisk to combine. Whisk in vanilla, red food coloring, and buttermilk. Fold in flour mixture until just combined.

Fill the donut pan with the batter, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake in 350*F oven 11-14 minutes, until donuts spring back when lightly touched. Remove from pan to wire racks to cool.

For glaze, combine all ingredients in bowl until powdered sugar is completely dissolved. Use immediately to glaze the donuts. You can dunk the whole donut in the glaze (messy!) or just dip the top half, flip it over and let it drip down the sides. Your call!

Source: from Taste and Tell