Mini Nutella Donuts

Donuts usually make people happy, and mini things are extra cute so in my opinion these mini Nutella donuts are pretty much perfect. ;o) Plus they're baked so you can sort of feel good about eating them. You do need a mini donut pan though, I bought mine at amazon.



Baked Mini Nutella Donuts
Adapted from Squirrel Bakes

Yields 24 mini donuts, or 8-10 regular sized donuts

For the donuts

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter, chilled
1/3 cup whole milk
1/4 cup Nutella
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, beaten

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease donut pan.
2. In a large bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Whisk together to mix.
   
3. Using a pastry cutter or two forks cut the butter into the dry mixture till a course texture is formed.
   
4. In a small saucepan heat milk till simmering, set aside.
   
5. In a medium bowl combine egg, Nutella, vanilla, and warmed milk. Mix together as best you can, the Nutella caused me to have a little trouble with this.
6. Add dry ingredients to wet and blend just until incorporated. NOTE: If you think you need a little more liquid to make the batter spoonable or pipeable, add a bit more milk just to thin it out a touch
   
7. Spoon mixture into donut pan or transfer to a piping bag and pipe into pan.
8. Bake for 6-8 minutes for minis or until a toothpick entered in center of a donut comes out clean. Or, 8 - 10 minutes for regular sized donuts.
   
9. Remove and let cool in pan for 5 minutes
10. Flip pan over and let donuts cool completely on wire rack.

For the glaze

1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons whole milk
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup Nutella
1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

1. In a medium saucepan combine butter, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla.
   
2. Whisking as butter melts, heat over medium until butter is completely melted and mixture is combined
   
3. Remove from heat and add Nutella. Whisk mixture until Nutella has melted in.
   
4. Add the confectioners' sugar whisk until smooth.
   
5. While glaze is still hot, dunk the tops of donuts into the glaze and set on a tray lined with wax or parchment paper until dry.
6. Add sprinkles if desired and let cool till dry to the touch.