S’mores Baked Donuts — my cozy weekend obsession
S’mores Baked Donuts are my favorite weekend treat, and I promise they are easier than they look. I’m usually more of a savory breakfast kind of gal, but when I first made S’mores Baked Donuts I could not stop smiling. Also, they bring back campfire memories, yet they are perfectly at-home and quick enough for a relaxed Saturday morning. If you love chocolate, marshmallows, and graham cracker crunch, then you and I will get along just fine. For a fun twist, I sometimes swap mini marshmallows for a marshmallow fluff drizzle, and the family always approves. soft baked maple donut bars pops up on my playlist of go-to donut recipes, and I often compare textures when testing.
What Are S’mores Baked Donuts?
What are S’mores Baked Donuts exactly? Basically, they are baked cake-style donuts flavored with cocoa, then topped with melted chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers for that classic campfire combo. They are soft and slightly cakey, and because they are baked instead of fried, they feel lighter, although they still taste indulgent. Also, they are great to make with kids because you can let them help with the toppings, and that makes the whole process more fun.
Ingredients Overview for S’mores Baked Donuts
Ingredients (with quick swaps and notes)
- All-purpose flour — Provides structure; swap half for whole wheat pastry flour for a nuttier flavor.
- Cocoa powder — Deep chocolate flavor; use Dutch-processed or natural depending on taste and baking soda interaction.
- Granulated sugar — Sweetens the donuts; brown sugar adds a slight molasses note if you like.
- Baking powder — Leavens the batter; if using self-rising flour, omit extra baking powder.
- Salt — Balances sweetness; do not skip it.
- Egg — Binds the batter; for an egg-free option, try 1/4 cup applesauce plus 1/4 teaspoon baking powder.
- Milk — Keeps donuts tender; any dairy or plant milk like oat or almond works.
- Melted butter — Adds richness; sub with neutral oil for a lighter crumb.
- Vanilla extract — For warmth and depth; a pinch of espresso powder can boost chocolate flavor.
- Mini marshmallows — For topping and inside bits; use larger marshmallows chopped if mini are not available.
- Chocolate chips or chopped chocolate — For glaze; dark or milk chocolate both work.
- Graham crackers — Crushed for topping; digestive biscuits are a fine substitute if needed.
If you need a reference for texture comparison, I often peek at recipes like soft baked maple donut bars when I tweak crumb size.
How To Make S’mores Baked Donuts (step-by-step instructions)
Step 1: Preheat and prep
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a donut pan or use nonstick spray, and crush a few graham crackers into small crumbs. Also, set out your mini marshmallows and chocolate.
Step 2: Combine dry ingredients
In a bowl whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well mixed. This keeps lumps away and gives even distribution.
Step 3: Mix wet ingredients
In a separate bowl whisk sugar, egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Because you do not want to overwork the batter, mix just until combined.
Step 4: Fold and portion
Slowly stir the dry mix into the wet mix until just combined. Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan filling each well about three quarters full. If you want pockets of goo, press a few chocolate chips into the center of each donut batter.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Remove from oven and let the donuts cool slightly.
Step 6: Glaze and toast
Melt chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave. Dip the tops of the donuts in melted chocolate, then immediately top with mini marshmallows and crushed graham crackers. For a toasted finish, either use a kitchen torch briefly or place under a hot broiler for a very short time while watching closely.
Step 7: Set and serve
Let the chocolate set at room temperature or pop the donuts in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up. Serve warm for the meltiest marshmallows, and enjoy every sticky bite. Also, if you want a fluffier marshmallow top, use a quick marshmallow fluff drizzle instead.
I keep a note app of small changes, and sometimes I try adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a sweet-salty contrast.
Serving Suggestions for S’mores Baked Donuts
Serve S’mores Baked Donuts warm with a cold glass of milk, a strong coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Also, they are perfect for brunch gatherings because they feel indulgent but are quick to make. For a party, arrange them on a platter and add extra graham cracker crumbs and chocolate chunks on the side so guests can customize. 
One time I brought a tray to a picnic and people asked for the recipe before I finished my first donut.
Tips For The Perfect S’mores Baked Donuts
- Use room temperature ingredients so the batter mixes evenly and bakes consistently.
- Do not overfill the donut wells; if you overfill, they run together, and you lose the donut shape.
- For extra gooeyness, press a small piece of chocolate into the center of each well before baking.
- Toast marshmallows carefully; they brown fast, so watch them and move quickly.
- If you want less sweetness, use dark chocolate for the glaze and fewer marshmallows.
- Make ahead tip: bake the donuts and freeze them unglazed; thaw, then glaze and top when ready.
Q&A Section
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: Yes, you can swap a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour, and the texture will be slightly different but still tasty. Also, confirm your cocoa and other ingredients are labeled gluten-free.
Q: How do I get the marshmallows toasted without a torch?
A: Use your oven broiler on low and place the donuts on the top rack for a few seconds, but watch constantly because marshmallows can go from golden to burnt quickly.
Q: Can I prepare the batter ahead of time?
A: You can mix the batter and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours, although I recommend baking it within a few hours for best rise.
Q: What if I do not have a donut pan?
A: Use a muffin tin and bake for a few extra minutes to get fully set centers, and then top them like donuts for a s’mores muffin vibe.
Why You’ll Love It
You will love S’mores Baked Donuts because they combine childhood nostalgia with grown-up chocolate satisfaction. They are soft, chocolatey, and a little crunchy from graham crackers, and because they are baked, they feel lighter than fried donuts. Also, they are forgiving to make and easy to adapt, which means you can make them a little healthier or a bit more decadent depending on your mood.
Behind The Stove Moments (how I tested this)
When I developed this S’mores Baked Donuts recipe I had a few flops, and honestly I learned the most from them. First, I overfilled a pan once and ended up with one giant donut slab, but we still ate it and had fun. Then I burned marshmallows under a broiler once because I walked away, and that taught me to never leave broiler toasting unattended. Finally, I nailed the texture after swapping half the oil for melted butter, and that small tweak made the crumb tender and rich without being greasy.
Final Notes and Quick Variations
Try adding orange zest for a chocolate-orange twist, or fold chopped toasted nuts into the batter for crunch. Also, dust with powdered sugar for a pretty finish. If you like the maple-cinnamon profile, check a similar treat like soft baked maple donut bars for inspiration and texture ideas.
Conclusion
If you want more ideas and visual inspiration, this recipe from Handle the Heat at Baked S’mores Doughnuts – Handle the Heat is a lovely reference that shows a different glaze technique. Also, Baran Bakery has a great version you can peek at here: Baked S’mores Donuts – Baran Bakery. Finally, MikeBakesNYC shares his take which I found useful for topping ideas, and you can see it here: Baked S’mores Donuts – MikeBakesNYC.
S’mores Baked Donuts
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully soft baked donuts flavored with chocolate, topped with melted chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- ½ cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
- Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, mix the sugar, egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients until just mixed.
- Fill the donut pan wells about three-quarters full with the batter.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let cool slightly, then dip the tops in melted chocolate and sprinkle with marshmallows and graham crackers.
- Toast the marshmallows if desired, then let the chocolate set before serving.
Notes
For a fluffier topping, use marshmallow fluff instead of mini marshmallows. For a less sweet version, opt for dark chocolate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg