Dark Chocolate Coconut Donuts (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Low Carb)

Donuts, donuts and more donuts! I made these as a dessert for a special friend who is on a very restricted low-carb diet, so they're dairy free, gluten free and extremely low in sugar (you could make them completely sugar-free by using sugar-free chocolate chips, such as Lily's brand). I attempted to mimic the flavors of a popular dark chocolate coconut candy bar, and I believe I succeeded! Be sure to lightly toast the unsweetened coconut before sprinkling over the top to bring out its naturally sweet and nutty flavor. Go ahead and have one! It's okay to go cuckoo for coconut...and chocolate!

Dark Chocolate Coconut Donuts

Makes 6 donuts (more or less, depending on your pan)

1/2 cup almond flour

1 tablespoon coconut flour

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tablespoons granulated erythritol (I used LaKanto Monkfruit sweetener)

3/4 teaspoon stevia powder (I used Sweet Leaf brand)

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 large egg, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil, melted

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

5-6 drops liquid stevia (coconut flavor or regular)

1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk

Chocolate Glaze and Topping:

2 ounces 85% or higher dark chocolate, chopped (I used 16 squares from a Green and Black bar)

1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk

A pinch of salt

1-1/2 tablespoons toasted unsweetened shredded coconut for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a donut baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, cocoa powder, erythritol, stevia, baking powder and salt. Stir with a fork until no lumps remain.

2. In another small bowl, whisk together the egg, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, stevia drops and coconut milk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk with a fork until well combined and batter is smooth.

3. Fill holes of the donut pan 2/3 to 3/4 full (do not overfill). Bake for 18 minutes or until set and donuts spring back when touched. Remove from oven and allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before flipping them onto a wire rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, toast the unsweetened shredded coconut in a small skillet over low heat, stirring often, until the coconut begins to brown and becomes fragrant. Then immediately remove from the heat to prevent burning and pour in a bowl. Set aside to cool.

4. For the glaze, place the chopped chocolate into a heat-proof bowl; set aside. Place coconut milk and salt into a small saucepan and heat until simmering (or microwave in 10-15 second intervals until it begins to boil). Add the hot coconut milk to the chopped chocolate. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before whisking until the mixture is smooth.

5. Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the chocolate mixture. Sprinkle with the toasted coconut. Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack to cool until the chocolate is set.

Note: How many donuts you get will depend on the size of your donut pan. You will have plenty of extra glaze leftover (this recipe will glaze about a dozen donuts or more). Place leftover glaze into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator to glaze other donuts later or to use as a drizzle over fresh berries. Heat gently to restore to a liquid consistency.

Nutritional Information per donut (based on six per recipe): 179 calories, 8.3 g carbohydrates (2.6 g dietary fiber, 1.3 g sugars, 4 g sugar alcohols), 15.4 g total fat (8.4 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 31 mg cholesterol, 87 mg sodium, 89.2 mg calcium, 80 mg potassium, 3 mg iron, 45 mg Vit A, 4.3 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 5.7 grams

Recipe by Kathryn Sheehan, copyright 2017

All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate without the author's permission. 

Cherry Cream Donuts with Dark Chocolate Glaze (Low Carb, Gluten Free)

I've been having way too much fun with my new donut baking pan! Yesterday I picked up some beautiful, organic fresh cherries and this recipe magically appeared in my mind. These donuts are reminiscent of the chocolate-covered cherries my grandmother used to love, so this recipe is dedicated to Gaga. The choice of chocolate for the glaze is important to keep the carb count down, so look for a very dark chocolate bar. My favorite brand is Green and Black's Organic 85% Cacao. Also, because cherries are higher in carb and must be limited, chop the few cherries called for in this recipe into small pieces so you will enjoy their sweet flavor in every bite. 

Cherry Cream Donuts with Dark Chocolate Glaze

Makes 6 donuts (more or less, depending on your pan)

1/2 cup almond flour

1 tablespoon coconut flour

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon granulated erythritol (I used LaKanto Monkfruit Sweetener)

1/2 teaspoon stevia powder (I used Sweet Leaf brand)

1 tablespoon unflavored whey protein powder

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 large egg, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk)

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

7 fresh cherries, pitted and finely chopped

Chocolate Glaze:

2 ounces 85% or higher dark chocolate (I used 16 squares from a Green and Black bar)

1/4 cup heavy cream

A pinch of salt

1. For the donuts, lightly grease a donut pan and preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. 

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, erythritol, stevia powder, whey protein powder, baking powder and salt until no lumps remain. Stir in the melted butter, egg, heavy cream and vanilla extract. Whisk until the batter is well combined and smooth. Fold in chopped cherries until well distributed.

3. Fill donut pan holes approximately 2/3 to 3/4 full (do not overfill) and bake for 16-18 minutes or until donuts are lightly browned and set. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then flip out onto a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.

4. For the glaze, place the heavy cream and salt in a small saucepan and heat until just simmering (or microwave in 10-15 second intervals until it is hot and just begins to boil). Meanwhile, chop the chocolate and place into a small, heat-proof bowl. Add the hot cream to the chocolate and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before whisking until the mixture is smooth and no lumps remain. 

5. Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the chocolate mixture.* Place the glazed donuts on a wire rack to cool until the chocolate glaze is set.

*Note: You will have plenty of extra glaze leftover (this recipe will glaze about a dozen or more regular-sized donuts). Place leftover glaze in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator to glaze other donuts or to drizzle over fresh berries. Heat gently to restore glaze to a liquid consistency.

Nutritional Information per donut (based on six per recipe): 173 calories, 7.3 g carbohydrate (2.1 g dietary fiber, 2 g sugars, 2.7 g sugar alcohols), 15.4 g total fat (6.9 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 58 mg cholesterol, 126 mg sodium, 90.9 mg calcium, 107 mg potassium, 1 mg iron, 197 mg Vit A, 4.4 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 5.2 grams

Recipe by Kathy Sheehan, copyright 2017

All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate without author's permission.

Cinnamon Donuts with White Chocolate-Vanilla Glaze

Muffins are good, but donuts are FUN! Maybe it's the hole in the middle or the perception that you're eating a forbidden food. No matter the reason, you can fit these delicious, sugar free donuts into your low carb lifestyle.

Cinnamon Donuts with White Chocolate-Vanilla Glaze

Makes 6 donuts (more or less, depending on your donut pan)

1/2 cup almond flour

2 teaspoons coconut flour

1 tablespoon granulated erythritol (I used Golden LaKanto Monkfruit sweetener)

1/2 teaspoon stevia powder (I used Sweet Leaf brand)

1 tablespoon unflavored whey protein powder

1-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon sea or pink Himalayan salt

1-1/2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons heavy cream or almond milk

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze Ingredients:

2 ounces unsweetened cocoa butter (24 discs)

2 tablespoons heavy cream

A pinch of salt

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-1/2 tablespoons powdered erythritol to taste (I used Swerve Confectioners)

1/2 ounce cream cheese, room temperature 

1. Lightly grease a donut pan and preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, erythritol, stevia powder, whey protein powder, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Stir in melted butter, egg, cream or almond milk and vanilla extract. Whisk to create a smooth batter.

2. Fill each donut hole in the tin 2/3 full (do not overfill) and bake for 15-18 minutes or until donuts are lightly brown and set. Let cool in pan for about 5 minutes, then flip onto a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.

3. For the Glaze: Place the cocoa butter, heavy cream and salt in a small saucepan and heat until cocoa butter is melted (or microwave in 10-15 second intervals). Whisk until mixture is smooth. Stir in cream cheese and whisk until well combined and no lumps remain (if desired, you may use a handheld mixer). Add erythritol to taste and vanilla extract, whisk together and pour into a shallow bowl.

4. The glaze will be thin, but will thicken as it cools. To hasten the process, place the glaze into the refrigerator for 5 minutes, whisk and continue cooling in intervals until the desired consistency is reached. (As the glaze thickens, it might become spreadable like frosting, which is an option too.)

5. Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the glaze. Place on a wire rack to cool until the glaze is set.

Note: You will have some glaze leftover. Place it in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Use it to glaze other donuts or to use as a drizzle over fresh berries. Heat gently to restore to a liquid consistency.

Nutritional Information per donut (based on six per recipe): 156 calories, 5.3 g carbohydrates (1.8 g dietary fiber, 0.7 g sugars, 5.8 g sugar alcohols), 14.9 g total fat (6.3 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 45 mg cholesterol, 136 mg sodium, 77 mg calcium, 88 mg potassium, 1 mg iron, 197 mg Vit A, 4 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 3.5 grams

Recipe by Kathy Sheehan, copyright 2017

All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate without the author's permission.