Indulge in Irish Charm: Small Batch Chocolate Stout Baked Doughnuts with Guinness Glaze

Bring a little luck of the Irish to your kitchen with these incredibly easy and utterly delicious Small Batch Chocolate Stout Baked Doughnuts. Each soft, cakey doughnut is infused with the robust notes of stout beer and then covered in a decadent chocolate beer glaze, made even more special with a touch of Guinness. Get ready to elevate your dessert game!

When it comes to my beverage preferences, I wholeheartedly admit I’m a beer enthusiast. While I certainly appreciate a well-crafted cocktail or a fine glass of wine, there’s something about a good beer that always calls my name. My palate tends to gravitate towards the rich complexity of microbrews and craft beers, though I won’t turn my nose up at a simple, refreshing brew if that’s what’s available. Exploring local breweries is often a highlight of my travels, not just for the unique tastes but for the vibrant atmosphere they offer. It’s a genuine pleasure to simply relax and enjoy a good beer, whether I’m out and about or unwinding at home.

Beyond drinking, I’ve found immense joy in incorporating beer into my culinary adventures, especially in baking. There’s a certain magic that happens when beer meets sweet ingredients, creating depths of flavor you wouldn’t typically expect. Just last week, I shared my recipe for Chocolate Stout Brownies, which quickly became a dangerously close contender for my all-time favorite brownie, right behind my beloved crispy peanut butter marshmallow brownies. The stout truly elevates the chocolate, adding a remarkable richness.

Why Baked Doughnuts Are a Game-Changer

Today, our baking-with-beer journey continues with these incredible Small Batch Chocolate Stout Baked Doughnuts. These aren’t just any doughnuts; they boast a wonderfully soft, cake-like texture that’s pure comfort in every bite. And the best part? They’re infinitely easier and quicker to make than their fried counterparts.

Many home bakers shy away from making doughnuts because of the perceived hassle of deep-frying. The mess, the specific oil temperatures, and the lingering smell can be daunting. But with baked doughnuts, all those concerns disappear! You simply mix the batter, pipe it into a doughnut pan, and bake. It’s a less intimidating and significantly healthier alternative, allowing you to enjoy fresh, homemade doughnuts without the guilt or the grease.

Imagine this: with a focused approach in the kitchen, free from interruptions, you can go from craving to devouring warm, freshly baked doughnuts in under an hour. That’s right – homemade doughnuts in about 60 minutes! Whether you consider that a stroke of genius or a delicious temptation, it’s certainly a testament to the simplicity and speed of this baked method.

The Special Ingredient: Guinness and St. Patrick’s Day

With March in full swing and St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it felt only natural to reach for Guinness for this stout beer recipe. Guinness, with its iconic dark color and creamy head, is synonymous with Irish celebrations and adds a truly authentic touch to these doughnuts.

My own introduction to a proper pint of Guinness is a memory I cherish. It was during my first night in Limerick, Ireland, where I was about to embark on a semester abroad. During orientation, I met my fellow study abroad students and housemates, and as a way to bond and experience local culture, we all headed to the university pub. In Ireland, with a legal drinking age of 18, it was perfectly normal for the campus to have its own pub, serving food during the day and drinks at night – though I’m sure a few enjoyed a pint with lunch too! That evening, amidst lively conversations and new friendships, I had my very first pint of Guinness.

While Guinness might not be my absolute first choice for casual sipping, it undeniably shines when paired with chocolate in baking. The roasted malt notes and subtle bitterness of the stout create an incredible synergy with cocoa, deepening the chocolate flavor and adding a sophisticated layer that’s hard to achieve with other liquids.

The Subtle Magic of Beer in Baking

If you’re wondering if these doughnuts will taste overwhelmingly like beer, don’t fret! The beer flavor in these baked treats is beautifully subtle, serving more as a background note that enhances the richness and depth of the chocolate rather than dominating the palate. Think of it as a secret ingredient that brings out the best in the cocoa, creating a more complex and satisfying flavor profile without making you feel like you’re drinking a pint. The heat from baking effectively cooks off the alcohol in the doughnuts themselves, making them perfectly safe and enjoyable for both adults and children.

However, the chocolate beer glaze is where a hint of the stout’s character truly comes through. This glaze adds a wonderful sheen and an extra layer of chocolatey, malty goodness that perfectly complements the doughnut. If you’re serving a younger crowd or prefer an alcohol-free option for the glaze, you can easily substitute milk for the stout beer. Or, for those who want to savor these sophisticated treats themselves, you can simply declare them “adults-only” and hoard even more of these delicious chocolate stout baked doughnuts for your personal indulgence!

Tips for Perfect Small Batch Baked Doughnuts

• Don’t Overmix: As with most baked goods, especially those relying on leavening agents like baking soda, overmixing the batter can lead to tough doughnuts. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensuring your egg yolk and buttermilk are at room temperature helps them incorporate more smoothly into the batter, leading to a more uniform and tender crumb.
• Filling the Pan: A pastry bag with a round tip makes filling the doughnut cavities incredibly easy and neat. If you don’t have one, a spoon will work, though it might be a bit messier. Don’t overfill; leave a little room for them to rise.
• Cool Completely Before Glazing: It’s crucial to let the doughnuts cool completely on a wire rack before applying the glaze. If they’re warm, the glaze will simply melt and slide off, resulting in a sticky mess rather than a beautiful coating.
• Freshness is Key: While these doughnuts can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days, they are truly at their best when enjoyed on the day they are made, while the texture is perfectly soft and the glaze is fresh.

Why Small Batch? The Joy of Just Enough

This recipe is designed to be a “small batch” for a reason. Sometimes you don’t need two dozen doughnuts tempting you from the counter. A small batch is perfect for:

• Portion Control: Enjoy a treat without going overboard.
• Less Waste: No stale leftovers taking up space.
• Quick Gratification: Satisfy a craving without committing to a huge baking project.
• Experimentation: Ideal for trying new flavors without making a massive commitment.

This recipe yields exactly six delightful doughnuts, making it perfect for a cozy afternoon treat, a small gathering, or a special St. Patrick’s Day surprise without overwhelming your kitchen or your waistline.

Items You May Need (Amazon affiliate links):

Small Batch Chocolate Stout Baked Doughnuts

Yield:
6 doughnuts

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
8 minutes

Total Time:
28 minutes

Bring a little luck of the Irish to your kitchen with these Small Batch Chocolate Stout Baked Doughnuts covered in a chocolate beer glaze made with Guinness.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk, room temperature
• 1/3 cup stout beer, such as Guinness
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons buttermilk, room temperature

For the glaze

• 1 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons stout beer, such as Guinness
• Sprinkles, for decorating

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325F (160°C). Lightly grease a 6-cavity doughnut baking pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well combined.
3. On the lowest speed possible (or by hand), beat in the room temperature egg yolk, stout beer, and vanilla extract until just incorporated.
4. Gently beat in the melted unsalted butter, followed by the room temperature buttermilk. Be careful not to overmix the batter; a few small lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing can lead to tough doughnuts.
5. Transfer the doughnut batter to a pastry bag fitted with a round tip. Carefully fill each doughnut cavity in the prepared pan almost full, leaving a little room for expansion. If you don’t have a pastry bag, you can use a spoon to fill the cavities.
6. Bake for 8-9 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into a doughnut comes out clean (a few moist crumbs clinging to it are acceptable). Allow the doughnuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully removing them and transferring them to a wire cooling rack. Ensure they cool completely before proceeding with the glaze.
7. For the glaze: In a shallow, microwave-safe bowl, combine the chopped semisweet chocolate and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir thoroughly. Continue microwaving in 15-second increments, stirring after each, until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth. Whisk in the powdered sugar and the 2 teaspoons of stout beer until the glaze is smooth and pourable.
8. Dip one side of each completely cooled doughnut into the prepared glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Immediately after dipping, sprinkle with your favorite decorative sprinkles while the glaze is still wet. Place the glazed doughnuts back on the cooling rack and allow the glaze to set and harden before serving. These doughnuts are best served fresh on the day they are made, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

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Beyond the Recipe: Exploring Stout in Desserts

Using stout beer like Guinness in desserts might seem unconventional at first, but it’s a culinary secret that elevates chocolate-based treats to a new level. The dark, roasted malt flavors found in stout beers are surprisingly complementary to the rich, slightly bitter notes of cocoa. This combination doesn’t just add a unique flavor profile; it also contributes to the depth and moistness of the final product.

When stout is baked into a recipe, much of its alcohol content evaporates, leaving behind a concentrated essence of its malty, coffee-like, and chocolatey characteristics. This process enriches the overall flavor, making chocolate taste “more chocolatey” and adding a sophisticated complexity that plain milk or water simply cannot achieve. It’s a wonderful way to experiment with savory ingredients in sweet contexts, pushing the boundaries of traditional baking.

If you’re a fan of these chocolate stout baked doughnuts, consider exploring other stout-infused desserts. From rich chocolate stout cakes and brownies to stout-flavored ice creams and even savory dishes like stews, the versatility of this dark beer is truly remarkable. It’s an ingredient that brings warmth, depth, and a touch of unexpected sophistication to your cooking and baking.

Make These Doughnuts Your Own!

While this recipe for Small Batch Chocolate Stout Baked Doughnuts is fantastic as written, feel free to get creative and customize them! Here are a few ideas:

• Different Stouts: Experiment with various types of stout beer. A milk stout might lend a sweeter, creamier note, while an imperial stout could provide an even bolder, more intense chocolate flavor.
• Alternative Glazes: If stout isn’t your preference for the glaze, you could make a simple vanilla glaze with powdered sugar and milk, or a coffee glaze to enhance the roasted notes. A caramel drizzle would also be divine!
• Toppings Galore: Beyond sprinkles, consider adding mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, toasted coconut, or even a dusting of cocoa powder for an elegant finish.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon or a tiny dash of cayenne pepper (for a Mexican hot chocolate vibe) could add an interesting twist to the doughnut batter.

No matter how you choose to personalize them, these easy baked doughnuts are sure to be a hit. They offer a delightful blend of familiar comfort and unique flavor, making them perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or simply enjoying a special homemade treat any day of the year.

So go ahead, embrace the joy of baking with beer, and treat yourself to these delightful Small Batch Chocolate Stout Baked Doughnuts. Happy baking!