Chocolate Covered Chocolate Doughnuts

Yeah, it’s what’s for breakfast.

It’s my personal belief that one cannot get enough chocolate in one’s diet without eating some for every meal. And in case you feel the same, here’s a simple and delicious way to accomplish your dietary goals….chocolate covered chocolate doughnuts.

When I used to live in the commune house (sorry newbies if that comment threw you off, yes, I used to live in a sort of commune with my husband and 4 other folks – sounds weird but it wasn’t) we would sometimes fall victim to the lure of the $4 box of Entemann’s chocolate covered chocolate doughnuts. When we had $4, that is.  Back then, we lived, quite literally, on free pizzas from Pizza Hut (thanks to the regional manager who hooked me up with a boatload of free coupons) and week old Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cakes.  Looking back now, I really can’t remember any other food in that house.  My roommates had a 15 pound tub of cheesies, but those were not eaten, to my knowledge, as I don’t recall the level of cheesies diminishing. So, pizza. And ice cream. For 3 years. Good times.

But back to those Entemann’s Doughnuts…they were a treat. A fattening, overkill, ohmygodwhatwereyouthinking type of food product, but geez louise, good stuff.  So, this weekend, I took it upon myself to try to recreate them in the simpliest way possible.  I could have gone to the grocery to BUY some, yes, but you’d be amazed at how often that crazy store DOESN’T stock chocolate covered chocolate doughnuts. Shameful, really.

I’d like to tell you that there is a real recipe for these, but there isn’t. It’s a complete cheat, and i can’t believe i didn’t think of it sooner.  Heck, I’m sure I’m not the first person to do it – perhaps there is a page out there on the internet full of doughnuts just like these, but I didn’t go looking for it.  It’s a CAKE MIX. Yep. That’s it.

It starts with a box of Devil’s Food Cake. The only changes I made to it were to use 1 whole egg and 2 yolks instead of 3 eggs. I also reduced the amount of water from 1 1/3 cups down to 1 cup, as well as adding 1/2 a box of instant chocolate pudding.  This all  made the doughnuts a little denser.  That’s it. The rest was just as stated on the box.

The key to doughnuts? The doughnut pan.  I found mine at a yard sale last summer for $1. never used – I imagine the lady bought it with high hopes, same as I would have, but then once she actually thought about implementing it? Too much effort. Seriously, how many regular folks out there actually make their own doughnuts?  And by regular I mean non-Food Bloggers. I’m pretty sure I’m the only Food Blogger in my  town. Unless there is someone more reclusive than I am here in the county. Speak UP, recluse! I’m here, I’m heeeere!

Anyway, I just poured the batter in the pan and baked until they appeared done – about 12 minutes. Once cooled, I iced them with chocolate ganache.  Verdict? These tasted almost exactly like the Entemann’s, except richer and less dry. Super yummy.  I feel sure the yellow cake mixes would work just as well, and you could ice them with white chocolate ganache and dump a bunch of strawberries on them….oooh, yum.

Give it a try sometime if you aren’t afraid of losing your reputation by opening a box mix. I, personally, am not. So… I have the doughnuts. And you? You’re just reading about them.

I win.

For those of you asking about a doughnut pan – here you go!

Have a great week, everyone! And, if you haven’t entered to win the Pasta Machines, head on over to yesterdays post to throw your name in the hat!  Good luck!