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Chocolate Donut-Frosted Cake Bites
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Chocolate Donut-Frosted Cake Bites

Double chocolate snack-sized cake bites covered in rich, chocolate donut frosting and coated in colorful sprinkles! These are as fun to look at as they are to eat.
Read the blog details to understand the texture of this incredible cake -ultra moist and a little dense while still having a fluffy crumb, but stands nice and sturdy. Fluffy cake meets poundcake!
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Servings: 24 cake bites

Equipment

  • 2 - 9" square baking pans
  • Electric hand mixer

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake Bites

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar dark or light both work
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup boiling water or strong coffee, omit espresso powder
  • 2 teaspoons espresso powder
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs room temp
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spoon and level to measure)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream room temp
  • 1/3 cup milk room temp

Chocolate Donut Frosting

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • Sprinkles

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Spray two (2) 9-inch square baking pans with baking spray. Line with parchment paper, letting excess extend over sides of pan (wooden clothes pin can be used to keep it in place as it bakes).
  • In a large heat-proof mixing bowl, whisk together both sugars, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Combine the boiling water and espresso powder (or use coffee instead) and gently pour in to cocoa mixture and immediately whisk to blend well. Allow to cool 10 minutes.
  • Using an electric hand mixer on low, add in vegetable oil and melted butter until combined. Add eggs, egg yolks and vanilla extract and blend just until combined. Then add flour in slowly and blend until just combined. Scrape the bottom of the bowl to evenly incorporate. Finish by blending in milk and sour cream just until combined.
  • Divide mixture evenly among 2 prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, about 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool in pan 5 minutes. Carefully lift the cakes up and out of pans and onto a wire rack. Allow to cool completely, removing the parchment once it's set.

Chocolate Donut Frosting

  • Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
  • Add the sifted cocoa powder and cream. Whisk until it thickens but do not let it boil. About 2 minutes total.
  • Remove from the heat and add vanilla extract, whisking to incorporate. Add the sifted powdered sugar and whisk slowly until perfectly smooth. If you whisk too quickly you will get air bubbles in your glaze.
  • Distribute the glaze evenly between both cakes, pouring the frosting to the center of the cooled cakes. Smooth with an offset spatula, allowing excess to drip over the edges. Add the sprinkles.
  • Once fully set, cut into bite-sized cake bite (about 2 inch pieces). Store the donuts in an airtight container at room temp or in the fridge. I prefer to enjoy mine cold with a glass of milk!

Notes

** You can also freeze the cake bites. To do this, I placed them evenly on a plate, froze for 30 minutes to ensure they were set. Then tossed them in a zip top freezer bag. They need about 15 minutes at room temp to return to normal.

Nutrition

Calories: 95kcal