Lemon-scented baked donuts are moist and delicious thanks to the addition of yogurt. The chocolate drizzle finish takes these healthy treats to the next level.
You know it must be a special occasion if I’m baking AND making donuts… well guess what? It is! I’ve created these mouth-watering Lemon Yogurt Baked Muffins with Chocolate Drizzle in honor of my dear friend Caroline of Chocolate and Carrots. She is expecting her second baby next month so a few of us are throwing a Surprise Virtual Baby Shower hosted by Erin.
As it turns out, Caroline has been craving all things citrus this pregnancy so I decided to take my favorite fruit (lemon!) and turn it into a moist and fluffy baked donut.
Thanks to the addition of tangy plain yogurt, these donuts turned out moist, fluffy and a little dense – just like my ideal version of cake. Whole wheat pastry flour and flax seed meal gives it texture and lots of added nutrients for mama and baby.
And just in case that wasn’t temptation enough, I drizzled them in chocolate as a nod to my mama who loves the unexpected flavor combination of lemon and chocolate.
Lemon Yogurt Baked Donuts with Chocolate Drizzle
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- ⅔ cup sugar
- ½ cup flax seed meal
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup plain Stonyfield low fat plain yogurt
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ⅔ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spray two donut pans with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour through salt) and whisk together to remove any lumps.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, eggs, melted coconut oil, lemon zest and juice.
- Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until ingredients are fully incorporated. Be careful not to overtax to ensure a fluffy end result.
- Divide batter evenly between baking pans (I like to use a large cookie scoop) and use your finger to make sure the center isn’t covered in batter.
- Bake for 16-18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool five minutes in pan before transferring to a wire wrack to cool completely.
- While donuts are cooling slightly, melt chocolate chips over a double boiler or in the microwave for 60-90 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds.
- Drizzle chocolate evenly over each donut using a spoon or a small plastic bag. Chill for 10 minutes to let chocolate set before serving.
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste
Holy moly! These look absolutely PERFECT! Your drizzle is legit :)
Liz DellaCroce
Awww thank you girl!!! :)
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
Craving citrus, huh. Well she couldn’t do better than these doughnuts. I love the recipe, but also love the way you frosted them. I will say the roster of citrus recipes is pretty dang cool.
Liz DellaCroce
Awww thank you so much Carol! I had fun making them!
Toni | BoulderLocavore
Simply delicious Liz!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much Toni!
Joanne
Lemon and chocolate is definitely not the most common flavor combo out there…but I’m with your mom – I LOVE IT. THese donuts look like breakfast heaven!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you my friend – they really were!!
Carrie @ poet in the pantry
AHA! This may be the answer to my prayers! Every time I’ve tried to make baked donuts with whole wheat pastry flour before, they’ve been dry–YOGURT is the answer! :) These look fabulous, Liz!
Liz DellaCroce
YOGURT!! Seriously. It makes all my baked goods amazing!!
Wendy @ La Phemme Phoodie
I’ve never had lemon and chocolate together. Sounds like a great combination of flavors! Your pics are gorgeous.
Liz DellaCroce
Growing up my mom would always ask for a scoop of lemon and a scoop of chocolate in the same dish – so good!
Rachel - A Southern Fairytale
I absolutely ADORE Caroline and those donuts are something else girlie! GORGEOUS and incredibly delicious sounding!!! YUM.
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much my sweet friend!!
Annalise @ Completely Delicious
These doughnuts sounds amazing! Love the chocolate + lemon combo. I really need to get a doughnut pan so I can have doughnuts more often.
Liz DellaCroce
Yes you do girl!! They’re so fun!!
Jennie @themessybakerblog
What a great way to welcome a baby! These donuts look absolutely delicious. Pinned.
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you for pinning Jennie!! I hope you try them!
TidyMom
lemon and chocolate are perfect for a donut!! Pictures are beautiful Liz
Liz DellaCroce
Aww thank you Cheryl!! That means so much coming from you!!
Jenny Flake
These look fantastic!!! Love that they are “healthier” so I can eat all the donuts :)
Liz DellaCroce
Totally healthy girl!! Eat 4!
Lynn @ The Actor's Diet
How lovely! I’m inspired to buy a donut baking pan.
Liz DellaCroce
They’re pretty cheap and so much fun!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm
These look AMAZING!! I LOVE that they have yogurt in them! Makes for such a moist cake! Plus LEMON! YES!
Liz DellaCroce
YES so moist and delish!! :)
Dawn McPherson
Liz~ What beautiful donuts! Love the picture. Mmmmm I must make these.
Dawn
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much Dawn!
Gaby
These look so yummy!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Healthy donuts! Yes, please! I’ve got a big old pile of Meyer lemons, so these are going on my to-make list!
Liz DellaCroce
These would be perfect for meyer lemons!
Kristy
Okay, these look incredible!! Love that you used yogurt, and that chocolate drizzle is perfection.
Also, love the blue polish :)
Liz DellaCroce
Aww thank you so much Kristy!! xo
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat
Yum- chocolate glazed donuts!
Liz DellaCroce
Nothing better right?
Karen @ The Food Charlatan
Lemon and chocolate! I need to try this out Liz. Doughnuts for the win!
Liz DellaCroce
Doughnuts for the win is right!! Enjoy Karen!
Terri
I would make these tomorrow as we are expecting over 30 inches of snow and will be needing nourishment after shoveling. (LOL). One problem, I have no fax seed meal, do I need it and what can I substitute it with?
Liz DellaCroce
Just use more flour! Stay warm!!
Maegan @thebakermama
Yay! You baked! ;) Love love love everything about these and can’t wait to bake them for me and the boys one morning. They’ve surprised me lately with their love for lemon and they’ll eat anything in donut form, so this healthier version will be perfect!
Liz DellaCroce
Aren’t you so proud of me for baking!??!
Theresa Murphy
Love baked donuts! I found a couple of mini donut pans on clearance at Williams-Sonoma last year and am always on the lookout for a new recipe to use in them! These look really tasty! One tip for you; I use a disposable pastry bag to make getting the batter into the little donut holes of my pan quick, easy, and mess-free.
Liz DellaCroce
Oooo mini donuts would be even cuter!
Amelia @ Eating Made Easy
Liz, these look incredible. I can’t believe you made healthy (ish) donuts. I’m thoroughly impressed. Also, your photos are getting more and more beautiful!! xoxo
Liz DellaCroce
I have to admit – I’m surprised how good they were!!! It’s the yogurt, seriously. Thank you for your sweet words on the photos – that means so much!!
haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine
WOW! These sound INCREDIBLE! I have been craving all things lemon and citrus. Can’t wait to make these!!
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you try them!!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Now, these are some gorgeous doughnuts my friend!! Especially the drizzle my nizzle.
Liz DellaCroce
I knew you’d like this drizzle!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
It’s kind of weird but I’ve never had a lemon and chocolate treat. These donuts are just calling to me through the screen, though!
Liz DellaCroce
It’s not the most common flavor combo but try it!! So good!
Caroline @ chocolate & carrots
This is so nice, Liz!!!! Thank you so much for making these for me! You have been such an inspiration to me, having two children and being a full time blogger. You are my hero. I hope I can be half as amazing as you.
And these donuts, THESE DONUTS! The lemon and chocolate combination sounds like a match made in heaven. I’ve been eating quite strangely lately (including consuming tons of grapefruit followed by a chocolate truffle…haha!) and these sound just what I need. I love baking donuts, too! Thank you again for the baby shower! I can’t believe we’ll meet this baby in just a few days!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh goodness – you are sweet but in reality YOU are MY hero!! haha. You do such a great job juggling your business and your family, I just know you’ll fall into your new role as mommy of two seamlessly. You’ve got this girl – and email me any time you need to vent!! xo
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
Aww. I love that you baked for Caroline’s shower! I’m sure she’ll be pleased. :) And 100% whole grain? I’m all over these!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
PS – I really, really like these pictures. Especially the second one. :)
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much! It’s funny the second photo reminded me of you!!
Liz DellaCroce
Aren’t you so proud of me?!?!!! :) :) :)