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    You are here: Home / Baking Recipes / Chocolate Glazed Donut Tim Hortons Copycat

    Chocolate Glazed Donut Tim Hortons Copycat

    Published Sep 5, 2021 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This is the recipe to win you over on the cake donuts team. Inspired by Tim Hortons, these are cakey, chocolatey and take less than 20 minutes.

    A close up picture of a donut with a bite taken out of it and other donuts around it.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make This Recipe
    • Expert Tips and FAQ to Make This Perfectly
    • MORE DESSERT RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why This Recipe Works

    If you needed a reason to love this recipe more than how delicious it is, these chocolate glazed donuts are also:

    • Quick. They take less than 20 minutes from start to finish.
    • Light. These donuts are rich and delicious without being as heavy or calorie dense as traditional fried donuts.
    • Easy clean up. With only 2 bowls needed (1 if you rinse the dough bowl while the donuts bake) you aren't tearing up your whole kitchen with dishes.
    • Chocolatey. If all that isn't enough, it's the perfect chocolate punch to go with your coffee - we won't tell anyone if you enjoy these for breakfast! 😉 

    Ingredients

    The dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and sugar).
    The wet ingredients (vanilla, sour cream, milk, an egg and canola oil).
    The glaze ingredients (milk, vanilla and icing sugar)

    With only 11 different ingredients and most of them being pantry staples, this is the most dangerous recipe to have on hand when a sweet craving strikes.

    Flour. Stick to All Purpose Flour - if you're gluten-free, I only recommend substituting the flour with 1:1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour from Bob's Red Mill. Use other brands at own risk!

    Sour Cream. If you don't have sour cream, you can use plain greek yogurt in the same quantities. I used full fat sour cream. If you use sour cream or greek yogurt - avoid low-fat or fat-free varieties.

    Cocoa Powder. Use the basic cocoa powder found at your grocery store. Avoid dutch process cocoa powder or black cocoa powder as they both contain different acid quantities and may affect the rise. Here's an article explaining the difference between cocoa powders.

    Milk. I use 2% milk for both the donuts and the glaze. In a pinch you can use skim in the glaze but I recommend using 2% milk in the batter.

    Oil. You can use any neutral oil - I use Canola Oil but you can use Vegetable Oil or even Coconut Oil though Coconut Oil will change the taste slightly.

    Sugar. Use white granulated sugar. This recipe hasn't been tested with sugar substitutes of any kind. Substitute at your own risk.

    Vanilla. I always use real vanilla. It gives the best flavour and allows you use less than imitation vanilla extract. I get mine fairly cheaply at Costco.

    How to Make This Recipe

    1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

    2. Grease two half dozen donut pans with cooking spray or a neutral oil. Set aside.

    3. In a large bowl, combine All Purpose Flour, Cocoa Powder, White Sugar, Baking Powder and Table Salt.

    4. Stir to combine.

    5. In a different medium bowl, combine the Egg, Sour Cream, Milk, Canola Oil and Vanilla Extract. Whisk until combined.

    The wet ingredients before being whisked.

    6. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

    7. Mix until just combined. Don't over mix.

    8. Spoon the donut batter equally between the 12 greased donut pans. Each donut should be about 1 ½ tablespoons.

    The baking pan with the dough in it to show the ideal level of fullness.

    9. Bake at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, until the tops of the donuts spring back when touched and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let the donuts cool completely in the pan.

    Donuts that have finished baking to show the desired texture.

    10. While the donuts are cooling, combine the ingredients for the glaze (Icing Sugar, Milk and Vanilla Extract).

    11. Make sure the glaze has no lumps.

    12. Take the donuts, 1 at a time, and dunk them in the glaze. Flip the donuts to make sure both sides are covered. Let them sit on a cooling rack until set (about 5 minutes).

    A glazed vs unglazed donut.

    Expert Tips and FAQ to Make This Perfectly

    For the perfect glaze, glaze the donuts when they're mostly cool but still a bit warm. If they're fully cooled, the donut will absorb the glaze - if they're too warm, the glaze will melt off.

    This is a cake donut and will have a stickier batter than a fried donut. See the process images for the ideal consistency for the batter.

    The perfect compliment to this treat is easy cold brew. Making cold brew at home saves you another trip to the drive-thru. Like warm coffee? This recipe is still the best way to brew - cold brewing methods make coffee more smooth.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why is my glaze tasteless?

    This recipe calls for pure vanilla extract - not imitation vanilla. If you use imitation vanilla your donuts may taste bland.

    How can I make chocolate glazed donuts gluten-free?

    To avoid ruining the recipe, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour like the one from Bob's Red Mill. Other flours may change the texture too drastically.

    What can I use instead of white sugar?

    I'd recommend sticking to white sugar. Using substitutes (stevia, monk fruit, etc) will change the flavour and using alternatives (maple syrup or honey) will change the texture of the donuts.

    What can I use if I don't have a donut pan?

    In a pinch you can use muffin tins but know that you'll have to increase the cooking time and there will be more "donut" interior to exterior and you'll lose some of the crunch. Add an additional 5-8 minutes to the cook time and check frequently.

    A close up picture of a donut with a bite taken out of it and other donuts around it.

    MORE DESSERT RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE

    • Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls
    • Mango Nice Cream
    • Matcha Banana Bread
    • Cinnamon Roll Biscuits

    Have you tried this recipe? Leave me a 5 ⭐️ rating in the recipe card! I love to hear from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, and sign up for my newsletter!

    📖 Recipe

    Chocolate Glazed Donut Tim Hortons Copycat

    Prevent your screen from going dark
    The best chocolately cake donuts, a perfect copycat for Tim Hortons' Chocolate Glazed Donuts. With only 11 ingredients and under 15 minutes, these are the perfect treat you'll want to make over and over.
    4.72 from 21 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Canadian
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 13 minutes
    Servings: 12 donuts
    Calories: 204kcal
    Author: Lauren

    Equipment

    • Two ½ Dozen Donut Pans
    • Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup All Purpose Flour
    • ⅓ cup Cocoa Powder
    • ½ cup White Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Table Salt
    • 1 Large Egg
    • ⅓ cup Sour Cream
    • 5 tablespoons Milk 2%
    • ¼ cup Canola Oil
    • 1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract Pure Preferred

    Vanilla Glaze

    • 1 ½ cups Icing Sugar
    • ¼ cup Milk 2%
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Pure Preferred

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400°F and grease two half dozen donut pans with cooking spray or a neutral oil. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, combine All Purpose Flour, Cocoa Powder, White Sugar, Baking Powder and Table Salt. Stir to combine.
    • In a different medium bowl, combine the Egg, Sour Cream, Milk, Canola Oil and Vanilla Extract. Whisk until combined.
    • Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
    • Spoon the donut batter equally between the 12 greased donut pans. Each donut should be about 1 ½ tablespoons.
    • Bake at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, until the tops of the donuts spring back when touched and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let the donuts cool completely in the pan.
    • While the donuts are cooling, combine the ingredients for the glaze (Icing Sugar, Milk and Vanilla Extract).
    • Take the donuts, 1 at a time, and dunk them in the glaze. Flip the donuts to make sure both sides are covered. Let them sit on a cooling rack until set (about 5 minutes).

    Notes

    Glaze the donuts after they've cooled a bit but are not fully cooled. This will ensure the glaze sets but that it doesn't absorb into the donut.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 149mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @MaritimeGlutton or tag #maritimeglutton!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katherine

      September 06, 2021 at 12:13 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yes please! I don't have a Timmy's near me, so now I can make my own donuts at home. Yay!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 06, 2021 at 12:18 pm

        So glad to hear, Katherine! Hope they're a hit 🙂

        Reply
      • Melina anderson

        October 11, 2021 at 5:38 pm

        5 stars
        Really good recipe, second time making these, a little confusing on the temp though, first mentions 375° then after says 400° for 8-10 mins. So I just turn it to 400° when I put them in, even though the oven was only preset to 375°...
        Turned out really good, it's even better then Tim hortons, especially when fresh

        Reply
        • Lauren

          October 15, 2021 at 11:20 am

          Great catch! The donuts should be baked at 400 and the oven should also be preheated to 400. Adjusting now 🙂 I'm so glad you like them enough to remake, Melina!

          Reply
    2. Toni

      September 06, 2021 at 2:25 pm

      5 stars
      This is totally irresistible! My kids couldn't stop eating this!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 06, 2021 at 4:03 pm

        So glad to hear, Toni!

        Reply
      • Alice Scheling

        November 30, 2021 at 10:43 pm

        I am wondering how it is best to store, because all the time I tried doing a glaze it always ends up getting absorbed. I hope by following the tip you have will help.

        Reply
        • Lauren

          December 02, 2021 at 10:29 am

          I find they're best in the first 2 days in terms of texture - but they always taste great 🙂

          Reply
    3. Katia

      September 06, 2021 at 2:39 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my chewy, yummy, donutty, goodness!! I could eat these all day long! So much better coming out fresh than buying at the donut shops.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 06, 2021 at 4:03 pm

        So glad you liked them Katia!

        Reply
    4. Erika

      September 06, 2021 at 3:08 pm

      5 stars
      These donuts look amazing! I love all the chocolate flavor. I'm going to make these today, I have all the ingredients already!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 06, 2021 at 4:04 pm

        That's amazing Erika! I hope you love them 🙂

        Reply
    5. Heather Johnson

      September 06, 2021 at 3:16 pm

      5 stars
      OMG - literally - putting the computer down and making this right now!!!!! THESE LOOK SO GOOD! And they're not too bad (200 calories per donut!)

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 06, 2021 at 4:03 pm

        One of my favourite quick desserts 😉 Hope you like it heather!

        Reply
    6. Ella

      March 25, 2022 at 10:26 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent recipe

      Reply
    7. Mackenzie Raon

      October 14, 2022 at 3:54 pm

      3 stars
      1/3 cup of cocoa powder was too overpowering. I used the No Name brand. I think I’m going to use 1/4 cup instead. It was way too intense. I added a splash of oil. The mixture was too dry. So maybe 1/3 cup.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        November 07, 2022 at 10:40 pm

        Thanks for the feedback Mackenzie! Different brands of ingredients can all affect how a recipe turns out. Hope the substitute helped you 🙂

        Reply
    8. Sheryl

      March 14, 2023 at 7:47 pm

      can these be cooked as donut sticks or is the batter too thin?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        March 16, 2023 at 2:52 pm

        I've never tried Sheryl, but please let me know if it turns out 🙂 The batter is fairly thick

        Reply

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    Welcome to Maritime Glutton, I'm Lauren and I'm the face creating recipes around here. I'm passionate about supporting local, eating great food and finding new ways to cut back on food waste and save money. Learn more about me here.

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