This is a sponsored post, but the opinions expressed are my own.
We all know that when the holidays start rolling, they really start rolling. In other words, you don’t want to get behind on your baking list! Pillsbury has made it simple for you to keep up, thanks to their Purely Simple line of mixes. With a little bit of creativity, no one will ever know they came from a box.
These mini baked brownie donuts are perfect for sharing in the classroom. Not only that, but the kids would love to get involved making and decorating each treat. The directions and ingredients are minimal for this recipe. The hardest part is deciding what sprinkles to use on top!
I made them mini so they’re easier to hold for smaller hands. It’s also great for packing individually or in bunches to hand out in class. This recipe yields 24 mini donuts with one box of mix, which is enough to share with a small classroom.
To get the kids involved in the kitchen, you can have them mix the batter together and count 50 strokes. It’s an easy task that even the younger kids can handle. For the older kids, you can have them pipe the batter into the pan cavities prior to baking. Once they’re done baking, everyone can help decorate with buttercream frosting and sprinkles. That way, everyone in the family can get involved in making these donuts. 
The kiddos will feel extra special when they bring in these treats to share because they helped make it themselves. How many kids can say they made their own treats?
This was the first time I used Pillsbury’s buttercream frosting mix and I was very impressed! All you have to do is add softened butter and water. I adjusted half of the buttercream and made chocolate buttercream by adding some cocoa powder to the mix.
I’ve got to warn you, though. These things are seriously addicting. I had three of them when they came out of the oven and thought to myself, “Oh, that’s alright.. it’s like eating one regular sized brownie.” I love how the middle of the donut cooks to the same consistency as the edge in a regular brownie pan. These Pillsbury mixes are pure gold, I tell ya.
They nailed it with their Purely Simple line. The difference with this line and others is that the mixes are made with simple ingredients. There are no colors, preservatives, or artificial flavors.
I can look at pictures of these donuts all day. I just might.. while snacking on them.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Enjoy it making memories in the kitchen with your loved ones!
Ingredients
- 1 box Pillsbury™ Purely Simple™ Chocolate Chunk Brownie Mix (15.5 oz)
- 1/3 cup oil
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 egg
- 1 package Pillsbury™ Purely Simple™ Buttercream Frosting Mix (13.2 oz)
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) softened butter
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, optional (if you want to make chocolate buttercream)
- sprinkles, for decorating
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Generously spray a mini donut pan with baking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the ingredients for the donuts: brownie mix, oil, water, and egg. 50 strokes does the trick!
- Put batter into a ziploc bag and snip off the corner (make it big enough so the chocolate chunks can get through).
- Pipe the batter into the pan cavities, filling them 2/3 of the way full.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- Let cool for a couple of minutes before inverting pan and tapping the donuts out.
- Once the donuts are completely cooled, make the frosting. Beat together the frosting mix and butter on low until creamy. Slowly add the water until incorporated.
- If you want to make chocolate buttercream, divide the current batter in half and mix in 2 tablespoons cocoa powder with a couple of drops of water until mixed.
- Decorate as desired.
