Tasty Dubai Chocolate Donut

Finding a donut recipe that feels fancy enough for special occasions but is still doable on a busy weekend can be tricky. After all, most bakery-style donuts require complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients, and things get even more challenging when you’re craving something that tastes like it came from a high-end dessert shop.

Luckily, these Dubai chocolate donuts check all the boxes: they’re rich and indulgent, surprisingly simple to make at home, and easily customizable with whatever toppings you have in your pantry.

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What Kind of Flour Should I Use?

All-purpose flour is your best bet for these Dubai chocolate donuts since it gives you that perfect tender crumb without being too heavy. You don’t need anything fancy here – regular all-purpose flour from any grocery store will work great. If you only have cake flour on hand, that’ll work too and might even make your donuts a bit more tender, though you may need to add a tablespoon or two extra since cake flour is lighter. Avoid using bread flour though, as it has too much protein and will make your donuts tough and chewy instead of soft and fluffy.

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Options for Substitutions

These donuts are pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps, so here are some easy substitutions you can make:

• Buttermilk: No buttermilk? Mix 1/2 cup regular milk with 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes. You can also use plain yogurt thinned with a little milk.
• Vegetable oil: Canola oil, melted butter, or even melted coconut oil work great here. If using coconut oil, make sure it’s not too hot when you add it to avoid cooking the egg.
• Nutella: Any chocolate hazelnut spread works perfectly. You could also make your own by mixing 3/4 cup powdered sugar with 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons softened butter, plus a bit of milk to get the right consistency.
• All-purpose flour: You can use cake flour for a lighter texture (use 1 and 2/3 cups instead), but don’t substitute with whole wheat flour as it will make the donuts too dense.
• Crushed hazelnuts: Chopped almonds, pistachios, or even toasted coconut flakes make great alternatives. You could also skip the nuts entirely and add chocolate chips or sprinkles instead.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake when making chocolate donuts is overmixing the batter, which can lead to tough, dense donuts instead of light and fluffy ones – mix just until the ingredients are combined and you still see a few lumps.

Another common error is overbaking these beauties, so start checking for doneness at the 8-minute mark by gently pressing the top; they should spring back when ready and will continue cooking slightly after you remove them from the oven.

When making the Nutella frosting, make sure your butter is truly softened (not melted) and add the milk gradually – if the frosting becomes too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time, and if it’s too thin, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.

Finally, let the donuts cool completely before frosting, or your beautiful Nutella topping will melt right off and create a messy situation instead of that perfect glossy finish.

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What to Serve With Dubai Chocolate Donuts?

These rich chocolate donuts are perfect with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk to balance out all that chocolatey goodness. I love serving them as a special weekend breakfast treat alongside fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries, which add a nice tart contrast to the sweet Nutella frosting. For an extra indulgent dessert experience, try pairing them with vanilla ice cream or even a dollop of whipped cream. They’re also great for sharing at brunch gatherings – just set them out on a platter with some fresh fruit and watch them disappear!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These chocolate donuts taste best when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The Nutella frosting holds up really well, so you don’t need to worry about it getting messy. Just make sure they’re completely cool before covering them up.

Freeze: You can freeze these donuts for up to 2 months, but I recommend freezing them without the frosting and crushed hazelnuts. Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to eat them, just thaw and add fresh frosting and nuts.

Refresh: If your donuts seem a bit dry after a day or two, you can warm them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to bring back some of that fresh-baked softness. The Nutella frosting will get slightly melty, which actually makes them taste even more indulgent!

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2300-2500
• Protein: 25-30 g
• Fat: 120-135 g
• Carbohydrates: 295-315 g

Ingredients

For the donuts:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the hazelnut frosting:

• 1 cup nutella or similar chocolate hazelnut spread
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 2 tbsp milk

For the topping:

• Crushed hazelnuts, for garnish

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Donut Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease your donut pan thoroughly to ensure the donuts release easily after baking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

Sifting helps to evenly incorporate the ingredients and remove any lumps.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, large egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.

This creates a uniform mixture that helps the batter come together easily in the next step.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures, Then Bake

• mixed dry ingredients from Step 2
• mixed wet ingredients from Step 3

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

Gently mix until just combined—do not overmix, as this can make the donuts tough.

Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full.

Bake the donuts for 8–10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into one comes out clean.

Allow the donuts to cool for a few minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

I like to tap the pan on the counter a few times to settle the batter evenly before baking.

Step 5: Make the Nutella Frosting

• 1 cup Nutella or similar chocolate hazelnut spread
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 2 tbsp milk

In a medium bowl, mix together Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread, softened butter, and milk until smooth and creamy.

This frosting will be easy to spread over the cooled donuts.

For an extra silky texture, you can beat it for a minute with a hand mixer.

Step 6: Frost and Garnish the Donuts

• baked donuts from Step 4
• Nutella frosting from Step 5
• crushed hazelnuts, for garnish

Once the donuts are completely cooled, spread a generous layer of Nutella frosting from Step 5 over each donut using a small spatula or butter knife.

Sprinkle the tops with crushed hazelnuts for a delightful crunch and enhanced nutty flavor.

I like to sprinkle a pinch of flaky salt on top too—it makes the chocolate even richer!

Tasty Dubai Chocolate Donut

Delicious Tasty Dubai Chocolate Donut recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 8 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 26 minutes mins

Servings 4

Calories 2400 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the donuts:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the hazelnut frosting:

• 1 cup Nutella or similar chocolate hazelnut spread
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 2 tbsp milk

For the topping:

• crushed hazelnuts, for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your donut pan thoroughly to ensure the donuts release easily after baking.
• In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting helps to evenly incorporate the ingredients and remove any lumps.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, large egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. This creates a uniform mixture that helps the batter come together easily in the next step.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently mix until just combined—do not overmix, as this can make the donuts tough. Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. Bake the donuts for 8–10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into one comes out clean. Allow the donuts to cool for a few minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. I like to tap the pan on the counter a few times to settle the batter evenly before baking.
• In a medium bowl, mix together Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread, softened butter, and milk until smooth and creamy. This frosting will be easy to spread over the cooled donuts. For an extra silky texture, you can beat it for a minute with a hand mixer.
• Once the donuts are completely cooled, spread a generous layer of Nutella frosting from Step 5 over each donut using a small spatula or butter knife. Sprinkle the tops with crushed hazelnuts for a delightful crunch and enhanced nutty flavor. I like to sprinkle a pinch of flaky salt on top too—it makes the chocolate even richer!