Baked Red Velvet Donuts

DIRECTIONS

• Cake:
• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or grease with vegetable shortening donut pan(s).
• 2. Into a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt; set aside.
• 3. In another large bowl, mix together the sugar and egg. Add the melted butter, melted chocolate, vanilla extract and buttermilk; mix well to thoroughly combine.
• 4. Gradually add the dry ingredients in the first bowl to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
• 5. With a spoon or a pastry bag, carefully fill prepared donut pan(s) with the batter, filling each opening about two-thirds full (or you could use a standard ice cream scoop, filling scant-level; dollop on each donut opening and with wet finger, open up the hole, pushing the batter to the sides evenly).
• 6. Bake for 12-15 minutes (donuts should spring back with touched lightly).
• 7. Cool completely on wire rack.
• Prepare icing:
• 2 tablespoons water.
• 1 tablespoon buttermilk.
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
• 2 cups powdered sugar.
• With a wire whisk, combine all ingredients until smooth.
• 8. Dip the donut tops in the icing, letting excess fall back into the bowl (be careful not to let crumbs get in the icing). Let dipped donuts dry/set on rack.
• In the alternative, you could use a homemade or canned cream cheese frosting to top the donuts.