A few years ago, this local donut shop called “Sugar Shack” was established in my city.

And believe me when I say these donuts changed my life forever.

Although I grew up enjoying soft, fried Krispy Kreme Donuts (sorry Dunkin’ Donuts fans- it was never a favorite of mine), the minute that big, fluffy Sugar Shack donut touched my lips I was in love! While the donuts were large and airy, the toppings were absolutely DECADENT (creating the perfect balance!).

Thick salted caramel sauce, chocolate sauce sprinkled with chopped peanuts, vanilla frosting absolutely coated in sprinkles… I just had to try them all!

And that was it- I was ruined for any other kind of donut. From then on, I would do anything I could to get my hands on a good Sugar Shack donut. Whether it was participating in the Sugar Shack’s daily Free-Donut-Challenge (such as telling the cashier a tongue twister or bringing in a homemade meme for one free house donut!) or bringing my younger sister to school as an excuse to pass the shop, I tried all the tricks! And definitely ate my share of donuts along the way!

However, you know me. So you know that if I can “healthify” something in any way possible… I have to try! And these donuts are no different 🙂

I decided to create a healthy version of chocolate glazed donuts because they’re such a classic. Plus, who doesn’t love something slathered in chocolate icing and coated in sprinkles?

The donuts themselves are gluten free, high in protein, and only contain 3 tbs oil! And the biggest surprise of all: the frosting doesn’t contain any powdered sugar whatsoever! Instead, I used healthy, wholesome ingredients that you could easily find in the cabinet or in the shelves of your local supermarket.

And created a chocolate glazed donut so good that I would choose it over Sugar Shack any day!

Because — spoiler alert — while Sugar Shack Donuts are certainly delicious, they leave you with a sugar hangover so bad you would have thought you downed an entire liter of Soda in fifteen minutes!

Healthy Chocolate Glazed Donuts

Gluten-Free Baked Donuts

• 1/2 c coconut flour (or other gluten free flour)
• 1/2 c vanilla protein powder (about 50g) (or coconut flour)
• 1/3 c coconut sugar (or white sugar)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 tbs melted coconut oil
• 1 egg
• 1/2 c almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Healthy Chocolate Glaze

• 2 tbs chocolate peanut butter (or nutella, chocolate almond butter, etc.)
• 1 tbs agave (or honey)
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350°F. Add dry ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine. Add coconut oil, egg, milk, and vanilla and stir until smooth. Grease a donut pan. Pour mixture into a ziploc bag or icing bag and cut the tip off. Squeeze into donut cavities, filling 3/4 the way full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Nutrition Information (from myfitnesspal.com)

(Yields 8 donuts)

Nutrition information does include chocolate glaze. If you choose not to include, it will read as follows: 141 calories, 7g fat, 13g carbs, 7g protein.

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