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
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup flax seed meal
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup plain Stonyfield low fat plain yogurt
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2/3 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.
Holy moly! These look absolutely PERFECT! Your drizzle is legit :)
Awww thank you girl!!! :)
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.
Awww thank you so much Carol! I had fun making them!
Simply delicious Liz!
Thank you so much Toni!
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!
Thank you my friend – they really were!!
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!
YOGURT!! Seriously. It makes all my baked goods amazing!!
I’ve never had lemon and chocolate together. Sounds like a great combination of flavors! Your pics are gorgeous.
Growing up my mom would always ask for a scoop of lemon and a scoop of chocolate in the same dish – so good!
I absolutely ADORE Caroline and those donuts are something else girlie! GORGEOUS and incredibly delicious sounding!!! YUM.
Thank you so much my sweet friend!!
These doughnuts sounds amazing! Love the chocolate + lemon combo. I really need to get a doughnut pan so I can have doughnuts more often.
Yes you do girl!! They’re so fun!!
What a great way to welcome a baby! These donuts look absolutely delicious. Pinned.
Thank you for pinning Jennie!! I hope you try them!
lemon and chocolate are perfect for a donut!! Pictures are beautiful Liz
Aww thank you Cheryl!! That means so much coming from you!!
These look fantastic!!! Love that they are “healthier” so I can eat all the donuts :)
Totally healthy girl!! Eat 4!
How lovely! I’m inspired to buy a donut baking pan.
They’re pretty cheap and so much fun!
These look AMAZING!! I LOVE that they have yogurt in them! Makes for such a moist cake! Plus LEMON! YES!
YES so moist and delish!! :)
Liz~ What beautiful donuts! Love the picture. Mmmmm I must make these.
Dawn
Thank you so much Dawn!
These look so yummy!
Healthy donuts! Yes, please! I’ve got a big old pile of Meyer lemons, so these are going on my to-make list!
These would be perfect for meyer lemons!
Okay, these look incredible!! Love that you used yogurt, and that chocolate drizzle is perfection.
Also, love the blue polish :)
Aww thank you so much Kristy!! xo
Yum- chocolate glazed donuts!
Nothing better right?
Lemon and chocolate! I need to try this out Liz. Doughnuts for the win!
Doughnuts for the win is right!! Enjoy Karen!
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?
Just use more flour! Stay warm!!
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!
Aren’t you so proud of me for baking!??!
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.
Oooo mini donuts would be even cuter!
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
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!!
WOW! These sound INCREDIBLE! I have been craving all things lemon and citrus. Can’t wait to make these!!
I hope you try them!!
Now, these are some gorgeous doughnuts my friend!! Especially the drizzle my nizzle.
I knew you’d like this drizzle!
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!
It’s not the most common flavor combo but try it!! So good!
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!
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
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!
PS – I really, really like these pictures. Especially the second one. :)
Thank you so much! It’s funny the second photo reminded me of you!!
Aren’t you so proud of me?!?!!! :) :) :)