Two Classics in a Harmonious Fusion
Cookies and cream donuts are a delightful fusion of classic dessert flavors with the familiar comfort of donuts. Unlike traditional fried donuts, these treats are baked, making them a slightly healthier and lighter alternative without compromising on taste or texture. Imagine the decadent crunch of crushed chocolate cookies paired with delicious cream frosting, all brought together in a fluffy, baked donut ring.
The Origin of Cookies and Cream Flavor
Before we dive into baking, let’s take a look at how the beloved cookies and cream flavor came to be. Known for its rich, chocolatey cookie crunch paired with smooth, sweet cream, this flavor combination was first popularized by Oreo cookies, which debuted in 1912. The cookies and cream flavor has since made its way into ice cream, cakes, pastries, and, of course, donuts!
Why Cookies and Cream? The balance between the crunchy, slightly bitter dark chocolate cookies and the sweet, smooth cream is a contrast that has stood the test of time. It’s both nostalgic and modern, making it a perfect addition to many desserts, including baked donuts.
The Difference Between Baked and Fried Donuts
Donuts are traditionally deep-fried, giving them their signature crisp outside and soft inside. However, frying adds a lot of unnecessary oil. Baking, on the other hand, is a healthier alternative, producing a lighter donut that still has a soft, fluffy texture.
Why Bake Instead of Fry?
- Healthier Option: Baking requires less oil, making the donuts lower in fat and calories.
- Less Mess: No need for large amounts of hot oil or frying equipment.
- Easier Clean-Up: Baking trays and donut pans are easier to clean than deep-fryers.
- Consistent Results: Baking provides a more even texture throughout the donut.
While baking won’t give you that ultra-crispy exterior of fried donuts, the texture is still light and airy, making baked donuts a fantastic alternative, especially when combined with rich, flavorful ingredients like cookies and cream.
Variations and Add-Ons
Once you’ve mastered the classic baked cookies and cream donut, you can start experimenting with fun variations!
1. Double Chocolate Cookies and Cream Donuts: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the frosting and use chocolate milk for an ultra chocolate cookies and cream delicacy.
2. Peanut Butter Cookies and Cream: Add a swirl of peanut butter into the donut batter or drizzle it on top for a cookies and cream meets peanut butter twist.
3. Mint Cookies and Cream: For a refreshing change, add a few drops of peppermint extract to the frosting and top with crushed mint chocolate cookies.
Tips for Perfect Baked Donuts Every Time
Baking donuts isn’t tricky, but here are a few pro tips to ensure your cookies and cream donuts come out perfect each time:
- Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can make your donuts tough. Mix just until everything is combined.
- Use room temperature ingredients: This helps the batter mix evenly and ensures even baking.
- Fill the donut pan properly: Avoid overfilling the donut cavities, as the batter will expand during baking.
- Let them cool completely before frosting: Warm donuts will cause the frosting to melt and become too thin.
Baked Cookies and Cream Donuts – A New Classic
Whether you’re a donut lover or a cookies and cream fanatic, baked cookies and cream donuts offer a satisfying, fun, and healthier way to enjoy the classic flavors. They’re easy to make, versatile in flavor, and the perfect treat for any occasion. So go ahead, grab your donut pan, and get baking!
Cookies and Cream Donuts
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 1/3 cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 Large Egg
- 1/4 cup Sour Cream
- 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
- 3/4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter room temperature
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Milk (any kind works)
For the Topping:
- 12 Oreos (crushed to pieces)
Instructions
For the Donuts:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your donut pan with non stick spray.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate, large bowl, add the sugars, and sour cream. Whisk until combined and creamy. Then add the milk, egg, oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk again to combine.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and whisk together until just combined, being careful not to over mix.
- Evenly distribute the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 1/2 of the way up.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until risen and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.
- Allow to cool for 2 minutes, and then carefully remove the donuts from the pan. Be careful at this step, the pan and donuts will still be hot! Once they are removed, set them aside on a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
For the Frosting:
- Beat together softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and milk on low speed until combined.
- Crush the left over oreo cookies from when you removed the filling along with 12 new oreos, until you produce small shards of cookie pieces, no bigger than a quarter.
- Use a spoon, piping bag, spatula, really any method, and add the frosting to your cooled donuts. While the frosting is freshly applied, dip the entire donut, frosting side down, on top of the crushed oreo pieces. Repeat until all donuts are frosted and adorned with oreos.
Looking for more donut recipes? Check out my Strawberry Shortcake Donuts!
Follow me on Instagram @BAKINGWITHLEMON and hashtag your posts #BAKINGWITHLEMON if you make one of my recipes! I adore seeing you guys get creative with baking!
