Oven Baked Chocolate Strawberry Donuts

Indulge your senses with these truly irresistible Baked Strawberry Donuts. Crafted with the vibrant flavor of real strawberries, each donut is then generously dunked in a rich, velvety chocolate ganache and adorned with playful sprinkles. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or simply craving a delightful treat, these Chocolate Covered Strawberry Donuts are guaranteed to capture your heart and delight your taste buds. They combine the classic appeal of chocolate-dipped strawberries with the wholesome goodness of a baked donut, making them a perfect choice for any occasion.

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Irresistible Chocolate Covered Strawberry Donuts

There’s an undeniable allure to anything featuring the exquisite combination of chocolate and strawberries. These baked chocolate covered strawberry donuts are no exception. Just hearing the name is usually enough to pique anyone’s interest! I’ve yet to meet anyone who can resist the charm of a perfectly ripe strawberry enrobed in smooth, decadent chocolate. Whenever I whip up a batch of classic chocolate-covered strawberries, my kids can barely wait for them to cool before they start disappearing! This beloved flavor profile was the ultimate inspiration for transforming those cherished little berries into a spectacular donut creation.

The Sweet Inspiration Behind Our Strawberry Donuts

The journey to these gorgeous chocolate covered donuts began with one of my all-time favorite desserts: a legendary Strawberry Cake. This cherished recipe, gifted to me by my friend Candi from The Devilish Dish, holds a special place in my heart. Candi shared that her Grandmother Mary would prepare this very cake every Sunday for family supper during her childhood. I first baked it a few years ago for Easter, and its incredible flavor and beautiful presentation quickly made it a staple in my kitchen, prepared countless times since.

This isn’t just any cake; it’s a masterpiece of both taste and visual appeal. What makes it truly unique is its thoughtful construction, starting with a simple white cake mix. To this, you add frozen strawberries and strawberry Jell-O, infusing every bite with an intense, vibrant strawberry flavor and a lovely pink hue. The cake is then generously frosted with a homemade strawberry frosting, also made with frozen strawberries, ensuring that “serious strawberry punch” comes through. It’s truly stunning when dressed up for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, and its success sparked the idea: why not bring that same delightful strawberry essence to a baked donut?

If you’re as enamored with strawberry and chocolate combinations as I am, you’ll definitely want to explore these other decadent desserts. They offer a perfect blend of rich chocolate and fruity sweetness, much like our delectable donuts: Chocolate Espresso Cake, Hot Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, and this intriguing Chocolate Sauerkraut Pound Cake.

Baked Strawberry Donuts: A Delight for Any Season

My mind often drifts to upcoming holidays, especially my absolute favorite, Valentine’s Day, even before the Christmas chaos has fully subsided. While Christmas brings a whirlwind of activities, Valentine’s Day offers a chance for creativity and heartwarming treats. I always have a plethora of ideas for Valentine’s Day recipes, and it’s a race against time to see how many I can bring to life. These strawberry donuts, however, jumped to the top of my priority list. I simply had to make them first! And let me tell you, I am incredibly glad I did! Their vibrant color, rich chocolate, and sweet strawberry flavor make them truly special.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Chocolate Covered Strawberry Donuts

Crafting these delectable homemade donuts is simpler than you might imagine, especially with our streamlined ingredient list. For precise measurements and step-by-step instructions, be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card.

For the Donuts:

White cake mix: This is your secret weapon for an incredibly easy and consistently delicious donut base. You can opt for any standard white cake mix or a vanilla-flavored variety to complement the strawberry notes beautifully.
Eggs: Essential for binding the ingredients and contributing to the light, airy texture of your baked donuts. Any large eggs will work perfectly for this recipe.
Strawberry Jell-O: More than just flavor, strawberry Jell-O adds a vibrant pink color to your donuts, enhancing their visual appeal, and intensifies the strawberry taste without adding too much moisture.
Frozen strawberries: The key to real strawberry flavor! Remember to thaw and drain these thoroughly before incorporating them into the batter. This prevents excess water from affecting the donut’s consistency.
Oil: A mild-flavored vegetable oil, such as canola or sunflower oil, is ideal. It adds moisture to the donuts, ensuring they remain tender and soft.
Water: Simple tap water works perfectly to bring the batter to the right consistency.

To make the rich Chocolate Ganache:

Chocolate chips: For the ultimate indulgence, I prefer using dark chocolate chips for a deep, rich ganache. However, semi-sweet chocolate chips are also an excellent choice, offering a slightly sweeter profile that beautifully balances the strawberry.
Heavy cream: This is what gives your ganache its luxurious, smooth, and creamy texture. Do not substitute with milk or half-and-half, as heavy cream provides the necessary fat content for a stable and shiny ganache.
Sprinkles: To truly make these donuts pop, especially for festive occasions like Valentine’s Day, use pink and red colored sprinkles. Feel free to customize the sprinkle colors to suit any holiday or celebration you’re baking for!
Rum or strong coffee: These optional additions add an extra layer of depth and sophistication to your chocolate ganache. A tablespoon of rum enhances the chocolate flavor, while strong coffee intensifies it without making the ganache taste like coffee.

Crafting Perfection: How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Donuts

You’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how incredibly easy it is to create these stunning homemade donuts right in your own kitchen. Forget the deep fryer; these baked beauties come together with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.

Preparation is Key: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Next, lightly spray your donut baking pans with a non-stick cooking spray, ensuring that your donuts will release easily once baked.
Whip Up the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, preferably using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, combine all the dry and wet ingredients for your donuts – that’s the white cake mix, flour, eggs, water, vegetable oil, and strawberry Jell-O. Mix these together on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until the batter is smooth and well-combined.
Add the Star Ingredient: Gently fold in your thawed and drained frozen strawberries. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; just enough to distribute the strawberries evenly throughout the batter.
Fill and Bake: Carefully spoon or pipe the donut batter into the prepared donut pans. Fill each cavity just below the edge to allow for a slight rise without overflowing.
Golden Perfection: Bake the donuts for approximately 13 minutes, or until they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.
Cool Down: Once baked, remove the donut pans from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pans for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This prevents them from becoming soggy and helps them firm up for dipping.
Prepare the Ganache: While the donuts cool, it’s time to make your luxurious chocolate ganache. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the chocolate chips and heavy cream. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and, if using, whisk in the rum or strong coffee until the ganache is perfectly shiny and uniform.
Dip and Decorate: Once your donuts are completely cool, dunk each one into the warm chocolate ganache, allowing any excess to drip off. Immediately after dipping, dust the top of each donut generously with your chosen sprinkles.
Set and Enjoy: Place the decorated donuts back on the wire rack or on parchment paper and let the chocolate ganache set in a cool place. This might take a little time, but it’s worth the wait for that perfect chocolate shell. Once set, they are ready to be devoured! ENJOY!!

Storage Tips for Freshness: Any leftover donuts can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, maintaining their delicious flavor and texture. If you’ve made a large batch or want to enjoy them later, these donuts freeze beautifully! I recommend flash freezing them on a baking sheet until solid before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. This prevents them from sticking together and helps preserve their shape for up to 3 months.

Share the Love: Pin This Recipe!

If you’ve fallen in love with this delightful strawberry donut recipe, make sure you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go, so you can easily find it whenever a craving strikes or a special occasion calls for a truly charming treat!

Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Chocolate Strawberry Donuts

Curious about the world of baked donuts? Here are some common questions answered to help you master this delicious art.

Can you bake donuts instead of frying them? Absolutely! Baking donuts is a fantastic, healthier alternative to traditional frying. The simplest and most effective way to achieve this is by investing in a specialized donut baking pan, which allows you to create perfectly shaped donuts in your oven without the need for excessive oil.
Why are baked donuts often considered better or healthier? Baked donuts offer a significant health advantage over their fried counterparts because they eliminate the need for oil in the cooking process. Fried donuts absorb a considerable amount of oil, increasing their fat and calorie content. Baking achieves a wonderfully tender texture without this added oil, making them a lighter option that’s just as satisfying.
Do baked donuts taste the same as fried ones? While baked donuts offer a delightful and flavorful experience, they will have a different texture than fried donuts. Fried donuts typically boast a crispy exterior and a chewier interior due to the oil. Baked donuts, on the other hand, tend to be more cake-like, with a softer crumb. However, they are incredibly versatile and can be equally enjoyed, especially when topped with a rich ganache or glaze. They bring their own unique charm to the donut experience.

Creative Substitutions and Variations for Your Donuts

One of the joys of home baking is the freedom to customize. Don’t be afraid to get creative with these donut recipes! Tailor them to your personal taste, dietary preferences, or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Make this recipe truly your own!

Fresh vs. Frozen Strawberries: Instead of frozen strawberries, you can certainly use fresh, ripe strawberries. Simply wash them thoroughly, remove the hulls, and chop them into small pieces. Ensure you’re using real strawberries for the best flavor and texture, avoiding freeze-dried varieties which won’t provide the same moisture content.
Oil Alternatives: If you don’t have vegetable oil available, melted coconut oil is an excellent substitute. It can add a subtle tropical note that pairs surprisingly well with strawberries and chocolate.
Ganache Alternatives:
- Chocolate Glaze: If you’re out of heavy cream or prefer a simpler topping, opt for a quick chocolate glaze. This can be made by whisking cocoa powder and powdered sugar with a small amount of milk or water until smooth.
- Strawberry Glaze: For an even more intense strawberry flavor, consider a fresh strawberry glaze instead of the chocolate ganache. Blend fresh strawberries into a puree, then whisk with powdered sugar and a touch of lemon juice for a bright, fruity topping.

Tips and Tricks for Donut Baking Success

Elevate your homemade donut game with these handy tips and tricks:

Chocolate for Ganache: If chocolate chips aren’t on hand, baking chocolate can be used to make your ganache. If you’re using unsweetened baking chocolate, remember to add a touch of coconut sugar or brown sugar to sweeten it to your liking, adjusting based on your preference.
Gluten-Free Option: To easily transform this into a delicious gluten-free donut recipe, simply substitute the white cake mix and all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for optimal texture, or add a quarter teaspoon per cup of flour if it doesn’t.

And of course, for perfect donut shapes, you absolutely need a donut pan! If you don’t already own one, I highly recommend ordering one. I personally love the Wilton brand; I was so pleased with my first one that I quickly bought a second, and even some mini ones! After all, a baker can never have too many specialized pans, can they?

You might be thinking, “How often would I really use a donut pan?” The answer is: more often than you think! It’s an incredibly versatile piece of bakeware that opens up a world of delicious possibilities. It’s truly money well spent, and you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again to create various baked treats.

Explore More Baked Donut Recipes to Love Next Time

Once you discover the joy and ease of baking donuts, you’ll want to try them all! Your versatile donut pan can create a variety of flavors and styles. Here are some other fantastic baked donut recipes that are sure to become new favorites:

Baked Banana Donuts: These incredibly easy-to-make banana donuts are baked, not fried, and lovingly dusted with spiced sugar for a warm, comforting treat.
Glazed Baked Pumpkin Donuts: Indulge in moist, tender baked pumpkin donuts, each one generously dunked in a fragrant spiced glaze for the perfect autumn delight.
Double Chocolate Baked Donuts: For the ultimate chocolate lover, these rich chocolate cake donuts are bathed in a decadent chocolate glaze. You’ll definitely need a big glass of milk to go with these!
Baked Glazed Lemon Donuts: Light and fluffy lemon cake donuts, baked to perfection and then dipped in a slightly tart lemon glaze. They are guaranteed to brighten even the dreariest of mornings!
Cherry Limeade Baked Donuts: These glazed donuts capture the nostalgic, refreshing taste of a classic cherry limeade drink in a delicious baked form.
Baked Ube Mochi Doughnuts: Experience the unique soft and chewy texture of mochi combined with the delightful flavor of ube, all finished with a sprinkle of coconut.

See? There are so many delicious reasons to get a donut pan today!

There’s absolutely no need to rush to a donut shop when you can easily create these spectacular chocolate-covered strawberry donuts right at home. They are simple to make, incredibly delicious, and offer that perfect homemade touch that store-bought treats simply can’t match. Enjoy the process and savor every bite!

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Chocolate Covered Strawberry Donuts stacked in a hearty shaped platter.

Baked Chocolate Covered Strawberry Donuts

Baked Strawberry Donuts made with real strawberries, then dunked in chocolate ganache, and covered in sprinkles. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or anytime!

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 13 mins

Additional Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 33 mins

Course: Donuts & Pastries

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Baked Chocolate Covered Strawberry Donuts, baked donuts, chocolate ganache, strawberry donuts

Servings: 2 dozen

Calories: 96 kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
KitchenAid Hand Mixer
Wilton Non-Stick 6-Cavity Donut Baking Pans, 2-Count

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

1 white cake mix
4 heaping Tablespoons flour
3 eggs
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 3 ounce package Strawberry Jell-O
1 10 ounce container frozen strawberries, thawed and drained (About 1/2 cup)

For the Chocolate Ganache:

1 12 ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 Tablespoon rum or strong coffee
Sprinkles

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Spray donut baking pans with non-stick cooking spray.
In your mixer, combine all of the donut ingredients, except the strawberries, for 2 minutes until well blended.
Gently mix in the thawed and drained strawberries. Fill donut pans just below the edge.
Bake for 13 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack.
In a saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate chips and heavy cream for your ganache. Stir constantly until it’s melted and smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in rum or coffee until it’s shiny and uniform.
Once donuts are cool, dunk each donut into the warm ganache, allowing excess to drip off. Immediately dust with sprinkles. Let the chocolate set in a cool place.

Nutrition

This recipe was originally posted on January 11, 2019, and has been updated and enhanced to improve user experience and ensure the most delicious results. It was reshared on February 2, 2024.