Banana chocolate chip donuts with peanut butter frosting

I've mentioned my donut maker before. It gets way more use than you'd think a specialty kitchen appliance would get. This is really only because my brother's top requests for food are donuts and buttermilk pancakes with bacon, in that order. ::le sigh:: I envy his young man's metabolism.

Donut batter is cake batter, so if you don't want to invest in a donut maker or a donut pan, you can still use this recipe for cupcakes or cake. In fact, my recipe is based on this cake recipe. Don't kid yourself about these donuts. They are 100% dessert. Not that you can't eat cake for breakfast. I would never suggest refraining from dessert for breakfast! Especially during finals time. :-) I just want to be clear that, while they have bananas in them, they are in no way good for you. . . . Well, I mean, they're probably great for your mental health. They're delicious.

I didn't frost them all at once to make for easier storage. The frosting firms up in the fridge, so let it sit on the counter for a bit to soften in up again before spreading on the donuts.

Banana chocolate chip donuts with peanut butter frosting

(makes about 30 donuts and about 1 1/2 cups of frosting)

lightly adapted from Bon Appetit

Donut Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups cake flour (all-purpose works too--just take out about 2 tbsp)

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1-1.25 cups)

1/2 cup sour cream (or yogurt)

6 oz mini chocolate chips, plus more for topping

Frosting Ingredients

1 cup creamy peanut butter

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping: Mini chocolate chips

Donut Instructions

Preheat donut maker (or preheat oven to 350°F). If using pans, coat them with nonstick cooking spray (like Pam). 

Using a mixer, beat sugars and butter until light and fluffy, about 2-4 minutes (depending upon how soft your butter is) in a large bowl. Beat in eggs one at a time and then add in vanilla extract. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt, scraping down the sides of the bowl. When dry ingredients are incorporated, beat in bananas and sour cream. Beat mixture until everything is well-mixed, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. 

Scoop batter into donut maker (or pour batter in cake/cupcake pan). Cook in the donut maker for about 6-8 minutes or cook in the oven for about 25-30 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out clean).

Frosting Instructions

In a medium bowl, beat all four ingredients together until light and fluffy frosting forms. 

Let the donuts (or cake) cool before frosting them, or else the frosting will get greasy and melt (which is sooo disappointing). Top with mini-chocolate chips and serve with milk or coffee.