Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Donuts & Congratulations Sam!

Our family has been celebrating the last few days in Baltimore.  Our youngest daughter graduated from Loyola and we are so proud of her.  She worked very hard and earned a double major in marketing and international business.  Now the hard part will be finding a job.  She love working and doesn't like sitting at home all day doing nothing so I'm sure it won't take her too long.

As usual I had some mushy bananas on the counter and wanted to make something before leaving for the weekend.  I wanted something a little different than banana bread and I haven't used my donut pan in a while so I made these donuts for the car ride to Baltimore.  I didn't end up eating any because it was raining too hard to drive and eat at the same time.  Everyone else enjoyed them though.  

Ingredients:
2-1/2 cups cake flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 stick of unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup applesauce
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
4 tbsp milk
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray donut pan with PAM cooking spray.

Mix butter and sugar together until blended.  Add applesauce, eggs, vanilla, milk, bananas and mix until blended.  Mix together the flour, baking soda and salt.  Add to mixture and blend until just combined.
Pour in mini chocolate chips and mix with spoon or spatula.

Pour into prepared pan.  I like to almost fill my pan to make bigger donuts.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the donut springs back when you press down with your finger.  Wait 2-3 minutes and then pan upside down over cooling rack.  Shake a little if necessary to loosen donuts.

This recipe makes 12 donuts.  Like any donut baked donuts are best eaten within 1-2 days.

Enjoy!!

Baked Pumpkin Donuts w/Ganache Drizzle

I know we have posted a lot of pumpkin recipes lately but this is the season and once you start eating pumpkin desserts you can't seem to get enough of them. I found this recipe at King Arthur Flour.  All the other donut recipes I have made called for buttermilk which usually means half a carton of buttermilk gets thrown away. The recipe has a cinnamon sugar coating for the donuts but I decided to use my favorite topping of chocolate ganache and it goes together perfectly.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups pumpkin puree
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1-3/4 cups + 2 tbsp all purpose flour

1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 tbsp corn syrup

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.   Lightly spray Pam on two donut pans.  If you are like me and only have one then respray between baking batches.  Beat together the oil, eggs, sugar, pumpkin, spices, salt and baking powder until smooth.

Add the flour, stirring just until smooth.

Fill the wells of the donut pans about 3/4 full.  I piped mine in with a piping bag to make it easier.

Bake the donuts for 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one donut comes out clean.  Remove the donuts from the oven and after 5 minutes turn pan over and transfer the donuts to a cooling rack.  While the donuts are cooling make the ganache.  Pour 1/2 cup of heavy cream into a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave on high for 1-1/2 minutes.  Immediately pour the chocolate chips into the almost boiling heavy cream and stir into all the chips have melted.  Add the corn syrup to make it a little firmer.  Stir again until combined.

Drizzle ganache over cooled donuts.

Store wrapped but not tightly at room temperature for several days.  Yields 12 donuts.

Enjoy!!



Linked at: http://www.flourmewithlove.com, http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/, http://bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/, http://iamaddictedtorecipes.blogspot.ca/, http://www.posedperfection.com/, http://www.nap-timecreations.com/, http://insidebrucrewlife.com, http://www.mandysrecipebox.blogspot.com/, http://www.chef-in-training.com/, http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com, http://momstestkitchen.com/, http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/, http://www.thenymelrosefamily.com/,http://www.mostlyhomemademom.com/, http://www.housewivesofriverton.com/ http://www.bunsinmyoven.com/,   http://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/, http://www.mandatorymooch.blogspot.com/, http://www.happyandblessedhome.com/, http://www.thejennyevolution.com/, http://www.thecountrycook.net/, http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com, http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com/

Red Velvet Baked Donuts

I always like to make baked donuts.  They only take a few minutes to get the batter together and cook for less than 10 minutes.  These are a variation of the Baked Donuts with Almond Glaze or the Baked Oreo Donuts that I have made and are perfect for Valentine's Day.      

Ingredients:
Donuts:
2 cups cake flour, sifted
3/4 cups sugar
2 tsp baking powder
5 tbsp unsweetened chocolate
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp melted butter
1/2 tsp red food coloring

Glaze:
2 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp almond extract
4 tbsp heavy cream
Sprinkles

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.  In a large mixing bowl, mix together cake flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and unsweetened chocolate.  Add buttermilk, eggs, butter and red food coloring.  Beat until just combined.

Fill each donut hole approximately 3/4 full.

Bake for 7-9 minutes or until the top of the donuts spring back when touched.  Let cool in pan for 4 minutes before removing onto cooling rack.

Make glaze for donuts but combining sugar, almond extract and heavy cream in a small bowl.  Add more cream if needed until you have desired consistency.  Dip the top of donut into glaze and set on cooling rack.  Cover with sprinkles.  Dry finished donut on cooling rack for 2 hours until glaze hardens. Baked donuts are best when eaten within a day or two of making them.

Enjoy!!  Susan  

Linked at: http://djssugarshack.com/, http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/, http://thenymelrosefamily.com/, http://www.semihomemademom.com/, http://www.bunsinmyoven.com/, www.lemonsforlulu.comwww.mizhelenscountrycottagehttp://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com, http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/, http://www.mandatorymooch.blogspot.com/, http://www.michellestastycreations.com/, www.sixsistersstuff.com, www.sweet2eatbaking.com
http://www.momontimeout.com/, http://www.thebusybhive.blogspot.com/, http://www.notyourordinaryrecipes.com/, http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com/, http://www.thecountrycook.net/, http://swtboutique.com/, http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com/, http://www.momstestkitchen.com/, http://www.flourmewithlove.com/, http://iamaddictedtorecipes.blogspot.ca, http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/, http://www.sweetsav.blogspot.com/, http://www.chef-in-training.com/, http://www.nap-timecreations.com/, http://insidebrucrewlife.com/

Baked Oreo Donuts

When I heard Dunkin Donuts had Oreo donuts I knew I would be making my own version soon.  My baked version has to be a little bit better for you I hope.  I decided on a vanilla batter because you can see and taste the crushed Oreos inside better than if the donut was chocolate.  This is my fourth try at making baked donuts.  My past tries of Baked Donuts with Almond Glaze, Apple Cider Donuts, and Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Ganache were all delicious.

Ingredients:
Donuts
2 cups cake flour, sifted
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp melted butter
8 oreos, crushed

Glaze
1 cup confectioners sugar
1-2 tbsp heavy cream
12 more oreos, semi-crushed

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Spray donut pan with non stick cooking spray.  In a large mixing bowl, stir together cake four, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Add buttermilk, eggs, butter, vanilla and crushed oreos.  Stir until just combined.

Fill each donut cup approximately 2/3 full.

Bake for 7-9 minutes or until the top of the donuts spring back when touched.  Let cool in the pan for 4 minutes before removing onto a cooling rack.

Make glaze for donuts while they cool.  In a small bowl combine the confectioners sugar and 1 tbsp heavy cream.  Add more cream if needed until you have desired consistency for dipping the donut top into the glaze.  Dip donut top into glaze and then into semi-crushed oreo bowl.  Dry on cooling rack.

Dry on cooling rack. 

Enjoy!  Susan

This is linked to www.asouthernfairytale.com, www.flourmewithlove.com, http://sweetsav.blogspot.com,
http://iamaddictedtorecipes.blogspot.ca/, www.mandysrecipebox.blogspot.com, www.crazyforcrust.com
www.chef-in-training.com, www.nap-timecreations.com, www.insidebrucrewlife.com, www.tidymom.netwww.lovebakesgoodcakes.com, www.djssugarshack.com, www.gooseberrypatch.typepad.comwww.ladybehindthecurtain.com, www.bizzybakesb.blogspot.com, www.mizhelenscountrycottage, www.somethingswanky.com, www.michellestastycreations, http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/, www.momontimeout.com, www.robynsview.comhttp://www.michellestastycreations.blogspot.com/, http://mandatorymooch.blogspot.com, http://thenymelrosefamily.com, http://www.thecountrycook.net, http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/

Baked Donuts with Almond Glaze

I was trying to find recipes for using up my buttermilk because it doesn't keep for very long and remembered that donuts were an option.  I have already tried apple cider doughnuts  and Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Ganache. They were both delicious.  So I figured it was time to try plain vanilla with a little green glaze for the upcoming holiday. This was very easy as you can do it all in one bowl that can be hand mixed.  It only took a few minutes and the 12 doughnuts that were made disappeared in no time.  I found this recipe on the packaging that came with the Wilton Doughnut Pan.

Ingredients:
2 cups cake flour, sifted
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 tsp almond extract

2 eggs lightly beaten
2 tbsp butter

Glaze
1 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 - 2 tbsp heavy cream
drop or two of green food coloring to tint if desired

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Spray doughnut pan with nonstick cooking spray.  In large mixing bowl, stir together cake flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  Add buttermilk, eggs and butter.  Beat until just combined.

Fill each doughnut cup approximately 2/3 full.

Bake 7-9 minutes or until the top of the doughnuts spring back when touched.  Let cool in pan for 4 minutes before removing onto cooling rack.

Make glaze for donuts.  In small bowl combine confectioners sugar, almond extract, 1 tbsp heavy cream and combine.  Add more cream if needed until you have desired consistency.  Add drop or two of green food coloring if desired.   Dip top of doughnut into glaze and dry on cooling rack.

This is linked to www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com, www.thegirlcreative.com, ww.skiptomylou.org,
www.itssoverycheri.com, www.flourmewithlove, www.sweetology101.com, www.crazyforcrust.com,
www.chef-in-training.com, www.mandysrecipebox.blogspot.com, www.ourdelightfulhome, www.mrsfoxssweets, www.mizhelenscountrycottage, www.4littlefergusons, www.sixsistersstuff.com,
www.momscrazycooking, www.iheartnaptime.net, www.delightfullydowling, www.thegirlcreative.com
www.itsablogparty.com, wwww.33shadesofgreen.blogspot.com
Enjoy!!   Susan

Apple Cider Donuts

We were down the shore last weekend and it was not beach weather or even walking on the beach with a sweatshirt on weather because it was so windy so Nicole and I decided we wanted to make some donuts. I already had the donut pans from when I made the chocolate donuts with chocolate ganache.  A baked donut makes you feel better about eating donuts all together.  While they were still warm we sprinkled half of them with confectioners sugar and the other half with cinnamon sugar.   This recipe was adapted from dianasdesserts.  These donuts tasted best when eaten the day they were made. 

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1-1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 large egg slightly beaten
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup apple butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup apple cider
1/2 cup plain lowfat yogurt
3 tbsp vegetable oil

Confectioners sugar, cinnamon and granulated sugar for coating

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray the donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Set aside. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.  Set aside.

In another bowl whisk together egg, brown sugar, apple butter, maple syrup, apple cider, yogurt and vegetable oil.  Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just moistened.

Fill donut pans 2/3 full with batter and bake for 10 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. 

Loosen edges and turn donuts onto a rack to cool.  Clean the donut pan with a paper towel.  Recoat the pan with cooking spray and then refill with the donut batter.  While the second batch is cooking fill one plastic bag with confectioners sugar and the other one with a mixture of cinnamon and granulated sugar.  Put donuts in one bag or the other and coat as desired.

Eat with a big glass of apple cider and enjoy!  Susan

Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Ganache

I never eat donuts - until I saw a recipe from vanillasugarblog.com.  Her photographs are beautiful and they looked so delicious.  So I ordered my Wilton donut pan from amazon.com for $9.99 and my cake flour from kingarthurflour.com because I couldn't find any cake flour in our huge Shoprite.  I tell myself that these are okay to eat because they are baked and not fried.  But really after you dip the donut into the chocolate
ganache I don't really think baked or fried matters.  Everyone liked them but I would consider them more of a dessert than a breakfast because of all the chocolate.  My youngest daughter wouldn't agree.  Next time I will try them with vanilla cake instead and maybe then I will have one for breakfast.

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup hershey's cocoa powder
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 eggs
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Spray donut pan lightly with non-stick spray.

In a small bowl beat the eggs and vanilla.

In a large bowl mix the flour, cocoa, and baking powder.  Add in buttermilk, stir a bit and add the melted butter and finally add the egg mixture.

Mix until just combined. 

Fill each donut mold about 2/3 full.  Bake 7-9 minutes.  Remove from pan and cool on cooling rack.

Ganache Ingredients:
1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
3-4 tbsp heavy cream

Put both ingredients in a microwave safe small bowl.  Microwave on low for a minute and stir until you get a nice glossy consistency.  When donuts are cool dip in chocolate.  Top with sprinkles.  Let chocolate harden before eating.

Enjoy!   Susan