Churro-Spiced Baked Donut Holes with Chocolate Dipping Sauce
Baked donut holes flavored with cinnamon and sugar, reminiscent of churros, served warm with a rich chocolate sauce for dipping. This spanish-inspired desserts ready in about 29 minutes layers (180 g) all-purpose flour, (100 g) granulated sugar, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk
- 1/4 cup (56 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar for coating
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon for coating
- 4 oz bittersweet chocolate
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a mini donut pan or mini muffin tin.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In another bowl, beat 2 large eggs with 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.
- Step 5: Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
- Step 6: Bake for 12-14 minutes until the donut holes are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool slightly.
- Step 7: In a shallow bowl, mix 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1 tbsp ground cinnamon. Toss the warm donut holes in the cinnamon sugar until fully coated.
- Step 8: For the dipping sauce, heat 1/2 cup heavy cream in a small saucepan until simmering, then pour over 4 oz chopped bittersweet chocolate in a bowl. Let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth.
- Step 9: Serve the churro-spiced donut holes warm with the chocolate sauce for dipping.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Churro-Spiced Baked Donut Holes with Chocolate Dipping Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 29 minutes (15 min prep + 14 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Churro-Spiced Baked Donut Holes with Chocolate Dipping Sauce?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Churro-Spiced Baked Donut Holes with Chocolate Dipping Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Churro-Spiced Baked Donut Holes with Chocolate Dipping Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Churro-Spiced Baked Donut Holes with Chocolate Dipping Sauce?
Spanish desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
