Brownie Donuts (Bronuts)

Bronuts (or Brownie Donuts) are a dangerously delicious combination of brownies and donuts. They're fudgy, fun and totally moreish. You have to try them!

I can't believe it took over 100 years for someone to improve brownies, but it's finally happened. And the answer was staring us all right in the face for so long - combine the two best sweet treats into one neat package. (Sorry cookies, nothing personal!)

So it's no wonder that #bronuts took TikTok by storm in 2022. But this recipe is much more than a viral trend!

Rich brownie batter is baked in a donut-shaped mould to give you picture-perfect treats that are good enough for your TikTok feed and your plate!

I spent ages finding the right donut mould so I could make cartoonishly good-looking bronuts without them drying out in the oven.

Don't worry - I've linked to the mould below so you can get it too!

To make your Brownie Donuts, you'll first melt some chocolate and butter together in the microwave. Or you could use a double boiler if you don't have a microwave.

Once the chocolate and butter are melted together, you'll gradually mix in the sugar, eggs, vanilla and finally the flour until you have a smooth brownie batter.

You'll then spoon or pipe the brownie batter into the greased donut moulds, leaving a little space for them to rise to the top of the moulds.

Scatter some chocolate chips over the top, they'll be ready to bake for just 20 minutes or until they pass the skewer test.

When your Brownie Donuts are cooked and cool, you can make chocolate icing to dip them into, using cocoa powder, icing sugar, vanilla and milk.

Finally, you'll rain down sprinkles over the icing and they'll be camera/mouth ready!

If you've been dreaming of Brownie Donuts ever since you scrolled past them, here's the ultimate Brownie Donuts (aka Bronuts) recipe!

Instructions

Make The Brownie Donut Batter

Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan).

Place your donut moulds on a tray and spray generously with cake release spray, making sure to reach the central column of each round.

Put the dark chocolate and butter in a large microwave safe bowl.

Microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring between each burst, until melted. Avoid overcooking as this can negatively affect the chocolate.

Add the caster sugar.

Stir through with a manual whisk - I say stir as you don’t want to add air but a whisk is still the best tool as it distributes everything quickly.

Add the eggs and vanilla.

Stir with the whisk again.

Put the flour through a sieve into the bowl. 

Stir to combine.

Fill the Donut Moulds

Share the bronut batter evenly between the donut moulds. The batter should reach about 1cm (1/4 inch) shy of the top. I find it easiest to transfer the batter to a piping bag, snip off the end and pipe the filling in.

Scatter the chocolate chunks on top.

Bake

Place in the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until skewer comes out with wet, sticky crumbs. Timings will depend on the size and depth of your donut mould, whether your oven has a fan, how well it circulates heat and more so keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time.

Transfer the moulds to a cooling rack and allow to cool to room temp.

Once cool, flip the moulds over to release the brownie donuts.

If you brownies feel a bit soft or fragile, you can pop them in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm up.

Decorate Your Brownie Donuts

Sieve the cocoa and icing sugar into a bowl.

Add the vanilla and a little bit of the milk.

Whisk while gradually adding the milk until you have a thick icing. You might not need all the milk. Likewise, if you feel your icing is too thick, you can add a touch more milk.

Dip the donuts into the icing, flat side up and sit them back on the wire rack. You may like to place a tray or piece of baking paper beneath the rack to catch any drips.

Repeat until all the brownie donuts are iced.

Straight away, scatter the sprinkles over the icing.

Leave to set and then enjoy. The icing doesn't have to be completely set - I quite like it a bit sticky to match the squidgy brownie!

Enjoy your beautiful bronuts.

They really are something special!

Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Brownie Donuts

What are Brownie Donuts or bronuts? Are bronuts the same as broughnuts?

Bronuts or Broughnuts are Brownies, but they're also Donuts. So, Brownies + Donuts = Bronuts! A delicious combination of two of the best things in the world, bronuts are a classic chocolate brownie batter baked in a donut shape mould.

Are Brownie Donuts easy to make?

Yes! Brownie Donuts are actually quite easy to make. Because they are made using brownie batter, they're much easier to make than traditional yeasted doughnuts.

The batter comes together quickly and easily and the donuts bake up in just a few minutes. The whole recipe only takes 40 minutes to cook, but you'll need some extra time to cool your Bronuts before you decorate them.

You'll make the batter by gradually mixing the dry ingredients and eggs into your melted butter and chocolate. Once it's a smooth mixture, you'll then pour or pipe the batter into the donut moulds and bake for just 20 minutes.

I prefer my brownies to be moist and fudgy rather than cake-like, so that's how I designed this recipe. If you want fudgy brownies, but your oven runs hot, you should check them a few minutes before the end of the timer to ensure they don't dry out.

Once they're cooked, you'll dip them into a simple frosting and sprinkle them with sprinkles - or any decorations you prefer.

I've included plenty of step-by-step photos with the recipe above. So if you get stuck or confused along the way, check the photos to see how close your bronuts look to mine. It might give you a clue about where you need to be.

What kind of chocolate should I use for Brownie Donuts?

I recommend using dark chocolate for Brownie Donuts. Dark chocolate has a higher cocoa content, and the cocoa butter is more concentrated, so it gives you a much richer flavour and texture.

You can use milk chocolate if you prefer, but it will be much sweeter, and the texture might not be as dense.

Will I need any special equipment to make Bronuts?

The only special equipment you'll need for this recipe is the donut pan or donut mould for cooking your Brownie Donuts. To make the batter, you'll need measuring scales/cups, a bowl and a spoon/spatula.

Once you have a donut pan, the rest of the recipe is a super low effort, one bowl process. So if you don't have a donut pan, what are you waiting for?

There's always a complete list of suggested equipment on the recipe card below my recipes if you're in doubt. 

I also always include links to example products to show exactly what I used to make each recipe.

Which kind of donut pan should I use to make Brownie Donuts?

To make Brownie Donuts, you need a metal or silicone donut pan or mould.

Donut pans come in various sizes, but I found that the size I used for this recipe produces the perfect donut shape and size without causing the brownie batter to dry out.

I used two sheets of of this donut mould from Amazon. It gives you 6 bronuts measuring 7.5cm wide x 2.5cm deep.

I found this donut mould best as it’s flexible, so things pop out easily. Plus, the middle stalk is taller than the mould, meaning the bronut batter won't rise over the hole as it rises.

How can I get my bronuts out of the mould? 

To easily remove your bronuts from the mould, you should prepare the moulds before cooking and let your bronuts cool.

Once cooked, your bronuts should still be quite soft - so if you try to remove them while they're still warm, you could damage them. So first, make sure that your Brownie Donuts are cool.

To make it easier to remove your bronuts you could also give the inside of each mould a spray with a cake release spray move your bronuts before you add your batter to the donut mould.

A cake release spray is typically a light cooking oil in an aerosol can, which helps to release cakes from their tins. I love this brand of cake release spray, as it contains rapeseed oil and a little (vegan) wax, so it's even more effective.

You might not always need to use cake release spray, as some silicone moulds are quite good at releasing bakes anyway. But if you're worried about them sticking, it's definitely worth trying!

How can I tell if eggs have gone off?

When cooking with eggs, it's best to crack them into a separate bowl so you can make sure they are fresh without contaminating your recipe.

The best way to tell if eggs have gone off is to smell them. If you crack an egg open and it smells bad, then it is definitely spoiled and you should throw it away immediately. Wash anything that comes into contact with a spoiled egg to avoid the risk of passing on salmonella.

If your egg doesn't smell bad, but it has a different texture or appearance, you should still discard it. It may be in the early stages of spoiling, so it's just not worth the risk.

You can also check if an egg is fresh by doing a float test. Fill a bowl with cold water and gently place your egg in the water. If it sinks to the bottom, it is fresh. If it floats, it's time to say goodbye!

This test isn't concrete, it's more of a strong indicator. So you should also check your egg in a separate bowl.

How can I tell if butter has gone off?

Firstly check the Best Before date. This should give you a good indication as to whether the butter is still ok to use. Unlike Use By dates, which should never be exceeded, Best Before dates are more to indicate quality, and food a little past that date may still be safe to eat. 

If your butter is within the best before date but you're still unsure, check the following points:

• Only use butter which you have stored correctly. When butter is exposed to light and air, it will oxidise and go off quicker, which is why it's usually best to keep it chilled. Modern homes with central heating are much too warm to keep butter in a cupboard.
• Keep butter in the fridge, well wrapped in the foil or paper wrapper it came in. It's also a good idea to keep butter in a sealed container as it has a tendency to absorb flavours and odours from the fridge, so pop it in a little Tupperware container, in a butter dish with lid, or in the sealed compartment at the top of your fridge door, if you have one. 
• Check that there is no mould growing on the butter. This is unlikely if the butter has been kept clean but can happen if crumbs have been left on it and is a sure indicator that the butter is no longer safe to use.
• Does it look right? If your butter is a darker colour or has a layer of condensation over the surface, it is in the process of spoiling. The condensation and colour change occurs when lactic acid breaks down the bonds between fat and liquid, causing the water from the butter to seep out onto the surface. Lactic acid is released by bacteria when the butter begins to spoil, so appearance is a clear indicator.

Are Brownie Donuts suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, Brownie Donuts are suitable for vegetarians as they do not contain any meat or fish. Make sure you check the labels of any sprinkles or decoration you use, just in case the manufacturer uses any animal-derived products.

Always make sure that you double-check all of your ingredients labels to ensure that they are vegetarian. Also, don't forget to check anything extra that you intend to serve with your Bronuts.

Are Brownie Donuts suitable for vegans?

This recipe isn't vegan, as it contains dairy and eggs. However, brownies are a great recipe for converting to vegan ingredients. So you could try using some of the plant-based alternatives below to make your bronuts vegan:

Butter: I regularly use Flora Plant butter, as it's available in most UK supermarkets, but Naturli are a good alternative and is available in the US and EU. Whichever brand of vegan butter you use, make sure you find one with a fat content of approximately 80-85%. This is the same as dairy butter, meaning the plant butter will behave like dairy butter in your recipe.

Eggs: For this recipe, it's best to use a store-bought powdered egg alternative. I find that Orgran Egg Replacer works especially well in brownies. I get the best results when I mix it with lukewarm water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before adding it to recipes.

Milk: For the icing, you can use any plant-based milk such as almond milk, soya milk or coconut milk. Unsweetened milk might be a good idea, since you're mixing it with pure sugar.

Dark Chocolate: Chances are that most dark chocolate you find in the supermarket is naturally vegan. Dark chocolate tends to be made with cocoa solids and sugar. Sometimes brands with a lower cocoa content add milk, so always check the labels.

These swaps shouldn't affect the cooking time too much, so try them with the cooking time and temperature as the recipe states. It may be a case of trial and error, so it might be wise to make a half batch first and see how they turn out.

Don't forget to check that any extra ingredients that you intend to serve with your Bronuts are vegan too!

Are Brownie Donuts gluten-free?

This recipe isn't gluten-free as it contains plain (all purpose) wheat flour, but you could easily substitute the wheat flour for a gluten-free alternative.

I regularly use Doves Farm gluten-free flour. It contains a blend of rice, potato, tapioca, maize & buckwheat to replicate the starches and proteins in wheat. I find that a blend like this always performs better than using one kind of gluten-free flour on its own.

If you use another kind of gluten-free flour, make sure it has no raising agents, as this recipe calls for plain flour.

The rest of the ingredients should be free from gluten, but to be safe, you should double-check all of your ingredient labels. Don't forget to check anything extra that you intend to use to decorate or serve with your Bronuts.

Are Brownie Donuts keto-friendly?

This recipe contains lots of carbs and sugar, so it is definitely not keto-friendly. Unfortunately, it's not the kind of recipe you can adapt for keto-friendly ingredients either, sorry!

Are Brownie Donuts suitable for those on a FODMAP diet?

No, this recipe contains several ingredients which are unsuitable for a low FODMAP diet. It wouldn't be a suitable recipe to make for a low FODMAP diet as the bronuts contain wheat flour and plenty of sugar, plus there's a fair amount of lactose in the dairy.

Are Bronuts healthy?

Health is a relative term. For example, something healthy for some might be unhealthy for someone with gluten intolerance.

However, overall these Brownie Donuts are pretty objectively unhealthy as they contain a lot of sugar and fat.

That said, there's nothing wrong with enjoying the occasional treat, especially if you have a varied diet full of vitamins and nutrients and you lead a fairly active lifestyle.

Are Brownie Donuts safe to eat while pregnant?

This recipe has no ingredients that would pose a risk to a pregnant person, as the eggs should be fully cooked.

However, this recipe is pretty high in sugar. Pregnant people are more sensitive to changes in blood sugar levels, so it's best to eat sugary foods in moderation.

So make sure that all of your ingredients are in good condition and that you prepare your bronuts safely and hygienically.

A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. Please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.

Is Brownie Donuts suitable for babies and toddlers?

No, this recipe contains sugar, so it isn't suitable for babies or young children. The NHS has some fantastic resources on their website on what to feed babies and young children.

A Mummy Too does not give medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to a health professional.

What goes well with Bronuts?

Bronuts go well with lots of things! Here are some ideas:

• Chocolate sauce or caramel sauce - drizzle some over the top for a super sticky experience.
• Strawberry jam - a fruit jam could add some tartness to contrast with the rich bronut batter!
• Peanut butter - peanuts and chocolate are best friends, so a sweet peanut dipping sauce could work beautifully with these Brownie Donuts.
• Whipped cream - time tested, never lets you down!
• Ice cream - If you don't decorate your bronuts, you could serve them warm with a scoop of ice cream in the centre. Mmm!

Can Brownie Donuts be served hot or cold?

You'll need to cool your bronuts so that you can decorate them then, once they're iced, you won't be able to heat them again without the decorations melting off.

However, if you prefer to leave your bronuts undecorated, you could serve them hot from the oven. Or you could microwave them for a few seconds to warm them up before serving.

Warm bronuts with cold vanilla ice cream could be the ultimate combination!

Can I add extra chocolate to this recipe?

This recipe is already super chocolatey, but if you want to add some more, go right ahead! I think a drizzle of melted white chocolate over the top would look super effective against the dark chocolate bronuts.

Or you could pipe melted a white chocolate ganache on the top in a splodge shape, so it looks like a classic Homer Simpson donut.

How should I store Bronuts?

The best way to store your Brownie Donuts is to keep them in an airtight container in a flat layer, or between sheets of baking parchment.

You can store undecorated bronuts in the cupboard or in the fridge. But once you decorate your bronuts with the icing, you'll need to refrigerate them as the icing contains milk.

How long will Brownie Donuts keep?

Brownie Donuts will last for 2-3 days in the fridge, if stored correctly in an airtight container. They'll last for up to 3 months if you freeze them.

Can I leave Brownie Donuts out on the counter?

No, if you leave your Brownie Donuts on the counter, they will be attacked by donut thieves or, worse, insects.

Can I make Brownie Donuts ahead?

Yes, you can make Brownie Donuts ahead. It's best to bake the bronuts and then freeze them before decorating. Then you can defrost them and decorate them when you plan to serve them.

Can I keep Brownie Donuts in the refrigerator?

Yes, the best place to store your bronuts is in the fridge. Make sure you keep the bronuts in an airtight container to avoid them absorbing any fridge smells. No one wants an onion-tainted bronut!

Can I freeze Bronuts?

Yes! Brownie Donuts freeze really well. Just make sure they're completely cooled and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container in a sealed lunchbox between layers of baking parchment. This will help protect them from freezer burn.

Freezer burn is sort of like cold evaporation, and it causes moist food to dry out and lose flavour. So reducing the amount of air directly around the food helps reduce the amount of water drawn from the food.

What is the best way to defrost Bronuts?

The best way to defrost your bronuts is to pop them in the fridge overnight in an airtight container.

Can I make these Brownie Donuts in a different quantity?

If you want to make more or less of this recipe, then go right ahead. The Brownie Donuts cook in individual moulds, so you won't need to adjust the cooking time or temperature.

So the easiest way to scale your bronut recipe up or down is to use a free online recipe calculator. You can paste the ingredients list and portions into the site, which will convert the ingredients into the right amount for whatever portion you prefer.

Can I convert this Brownie Donuts recipe to cups?

Yes, you can convert this recipe to cups using this cooking calculator site. However, using weighed measurements is much better for baking, as you need to be precise for the best results.

Can I make these Brownie Donuts as one big cake?

You could - but it would just be a plain old brownie!

Although...you could try baking your batter in a giant smooth bundt tin for a giant bronut. I'm unsure how much you would need to adjust the cooking time or temperature, so it could take a fair amount of experimentation.

If you give it a go, I'd love to see a picture of a giant bronut!

Can I make Brownie Donuts in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?

Yes, you could use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment to gradually mix your brownie batter. However, you might lose some of the melted chocolate and butter if you pour it into a stand mixer bowl. So it's probably best to add ingredients to and mix your bronut batter in the same bowl you melted the chocolate and butter in.

Can I make Brownie Donuts with a food processor?

There's no stage in this recipe that would require a food processor. A bowl and spoon will work perfectly for this recipe.

How can I make sure my Brownie Donuts turn out perfectly?

There are a few things you can do to help ensure your Brownie Donuts turn out perfectly:

• I always advise that you should thoroughly read a recipe before you begin. This helps you prepare your workstation and see potential issues (like forgetting to preheat your oven).
• Equally, it's best to measure your ingredients out before you begin cooking too. This helps you see what ingredients you have to add and reduces the chance of any multitasking measurement mistakes.
• Use good quality chocolate. Chocolate with a high cocoa percentage will give you the best flavour and texture.
• I didn’t add the choc chips to the batter as it makes it harder to spoon/pipe into the narrow mould shapes. So make sure you sprinkle them on top of the batter in the pan to avoid any clogged bags or messy edges. You can always poke them down into the batter, so they sink through it.
• Follow the recipe to the letter. Cooking is an art, Baking is a science. So making even a small change can result in Brownie Donuts that are overcooked, undercooked, or simply not as good as they could be. I designed this recipe for the best results, so you should avoid any issues if you follow it.
• Use an oven thermometer to check that your oven is calibrated correctly. This is especially important if you have an older oven, as they can often run hot or cold. If you overcook your bronuts, they will dry out very quickly. So temperature is crucial for getting perfect Brownie Donuts! You can usually find an oven thermometer in a large homeware store or somewhere like TK Maxx (TJ Maxx if you're across the pond). If not, you should be able to get one delivered from Amazon.

Why did my Brownie Donuts turn out dry/crumbly?

Brownies have a tendency to dry out when overcooked, and especially when cooked individually like this. So I designed this recipe and cooking time to give you tender, moist Brownie Donuts.

If your Brownie Donuts turn out dry or crumbly, they are most likely overcooked. This can happen when you cook them for too long or when your oven temperature is too hot. So to avoid

Why did my Brownie Donuts turn out wet/soft/dense?

If your Brownie Donuts turn out wet or soft, it's probably because they are undercooked. This can happen if your oven temperature is too low or if you don't cook them for long enough.

Brownie Donuts should be cooked until they are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. So if your bronuts are still liquid when the cooking time is over, then they need longer.

If you find your bakes are often undercooked, it may be that your oven temperature is incorrect. Use an oven thermometer to get a correct internal oven reading to know you're cooking at the right temperature.

Another reason your Brownie Donuts are wet is that there's too much fat in the batter. If you use oil or margarine instead of butter, this can happen.

Why did my Brownie Donuts turn out oily?

If your Brownie Donuts turn out oily, it's probably because you used too much butter or oil in the recipe. Brownie Donuts should be moist but not oily.

To avoid any mix-ups with ingredient quantities, pay close attention to the measurement units (teaspoons, not tablespoons, grams, not oz, etc). You should also measure your ingredients before you begin cooking, so you have your full attention on getting the right quantities.

Why didn’t my Brownie Donuts rise?

These Bronuts have no raising agent and should only expand to fit the donut mould. So it's perfectly normal if they don't rise.

How can I add/change the flavours in these Bronuts?

There are a few ways you can mix things up with the flavours in Brownie Donuts. The best way to add flavour is to use dry ingredients or a few drops of flavour essence so that the batter texture isn't affected too much.

So first, you could try adding different spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a cosy Autumnal flavour. Or what about adding a few drops of mint or orange flavour too for a festive feel?

You could also use a different type of chocolate, like white chocolate or milk chocolate. If you use white chocolate, I guess you would end up with 'Blondnuts'!

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