Cinnamon Donuts with a Raspberry Lemon Glaze

SO! The baking experiment is done. Done done done!

I was originally going to make these donuts a banana and cinnamon however, when I started I completely forgot about the banana, hehe. Regardless, I'm impressed. Excellent recipe that I found on Butterflyfood.  I may have tweaked a couple of things to make them what I wanted, but essentially that recipe is what inspired me.

Here's my version

Cinnamon donuts with a raspberry & lemon glaze

The Recipe:

Donuts

3 to 4 tablespoons      active dry yeast

2 ½ tablespoons         granulated sugar

1 cup                          water

1                                egg beaten

1/3 cup                       butter, melted

1 teaspoon                  vanilla extract

3 teaspoons                cinnamon

1 teaspoon                  nutmeg

½ teaspoon                 salt

3 to 5 cups                  flour

In a bowl mix together the yeast and and 1 cup water (warm!) – let it sit for approximately five or so minutes, or until you notice that it has a foamed up top layer.  Add the egg, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt..Mix! 

Now slowly start adding the flour, I say 3 to 5 cups because lets be honest, my “cup” may be different than yours…Even though I used a generic dry measuring cup, you may fill differently.  As you continue to do this, pay attention to whether or not it’s sticky.  Once you can touch the dough without getting physically attached to it, you’re done!

Now knead and roll out the dough to about ¼ to ½ an inch thick and cut out your donut shapes.  I used two different sized jars as I didn’t have the patience to actually cut lol.  Once you’ve done this, leave them for half an hour or so to rise. 

Fry in oil.  Your choice.  I used grape seed oil, however typically canola oil is used (from what I’ve read).  Turn them once, to ensure both sides have cooked and place on paper towel to remove excess oil.  Voila!  And there you have it.  Pretty simple, eh?

Now for the glaze….

1 cup              granulated sugar

¼ cup             confectioners sugar

¼ cup             water

1 teaspoon      vanilla extract

3 teaspoons     raspberry jam

3 teaspoons     fresh lemon juice

There are a few ways to make glazes.  Unfortunately for me, I ran out of confectioners sugar.  However, I made due with what I had.

First begin by boiling the water, add the sugar and lower heat to just below the half way point.  Mix well so that the sugar has dissolved.  Once this is done, add confectioners sugar, vanilla extract, raspberry jam and lemon juice.

Done.

I hope you enjoy :).  I know I definitely did.

-d.

The Baking Experiment

Today is a homework and study day, you're all probably like, "okay........?", well in my world this means I don't leave the house.  I brew myself some coffee, eat lunch, and start reading the marvelous Accounting textbook that I adore OH SO MUCH.   Not.  So, like many professors say, "study for an hour, take a break, repeat".  My break for today will consist of baking, like it has the last couple of weeks.  Yay:).

What's my baking experiment for today?

A quick and easy brunch, lunch or dinner

I've realized lately that I don't cook much at home.  When I'm not studying, I'm usually out and about and always grab something to eat at a restaurant or something of the sort.  And when I am studying...well I usually just snack on almonds or popcorn, and tons of coffee.  I figured, I should start to change that nasty habit of mine.

While going through some recipes on a couple of websites -which I'll list at the end- I decided to make quiche.  I've never made quiche before.  After deciding that, I had no idea what would be the "best" recipe.  What I did know is that I wanted to combine a couple of ingredients.  So rather than following one specific recipe I kind of did my own thing :).

The Recipe:

12 tablespoons  bread crumbs
1 cup diced up honey ham
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup spinach leaves (or 6 or so leaves)
1/3 cup green pepper
4 large eggs, 2 egg whites
2 tablespoons chopped onion (you could use green onion too, if you so choose)
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1/2 cup cream
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375°degrees

Spray bottom and sides of cupcake pan with olive oil and sprinkle each cup with one tablespoon bread crumbs (crust for the quiche!).  Gently shake so that it is evenly distributed.

Place ham, green peppers, spinach and cheese into each cup.  I made some with just ham, spinach and cheese and others with everything.  The cupcake pan is perfect!

In a medium bowl beat eggs and egg whites, continue by beating in the cream, milk, salt & pepper, dijon and onion.  You may choose to put the cheese into this mixture rather than in the individual cups, however I chose not to and it turned out fantastic.

Bake for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, or until they are firm.

A great dinner with a side of salad!!  Healthy too:)  Well, somewhat.

"When life gives you lemons... just bake some lemon cupcakes."

After an incredibly stressful day of accounting homework (gosh is it ever tedious!) I decided to bake some cupcakes.
I've found that lately I am baking more and more. It's probably the best stress reliever yet, aside from going for 5km walks with my Australian shepherd-Mila.
I can be creative with what I bake, typically cupcakes. The best part is decorating them. Some days, depending on my free time, I go all out and other days...well, I stick to somewhat simplistic ideas. Regardless, the outcome is always delicious.
Today's cupcake was a rather basic vanilla cupcake, with grates of lemon zest to give it a little kick and just an easy to do vanilla icing. With more lemon zest sprinkled on top.


The Recipe:
1 1/2 cups all purpose four
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 fine sea salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup whole milk, room temperature
1/2 tablespoon lemon zest (one may add more - purely personal preference:))

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line a cupcake pan with wrappers.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing just until blended. Beat in vanilla. Add the flour mixture and milk; mix thoroughly. Add the lemon zest and again mix thoroughly.

Fill each cup 2/3 full and bake for 18-24 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Cool completely and frost as desired. Makes 12 cupcakes.


By far, the most delicious. That may be because I'm a huge lemon fan :).

-d.

Like a Boss...

On Sunday - January 15th - my best friend picked up his puppy. He then came to visit me at work with the lil' guy. What a precious, adorable, bundle of joy! Although all he wanted to do was sleep.
A few hours later, he and Lars (the puppy's name at the time) came to visit my puppy and I. Mila is almost 6 months old and a basket case. Also, incredibly huge! No, not really, but when compared to that tiny fella, oh boy.
I keep getting sidetracked.
Anyways! They came to visit and Mila was confused. So confused by him and he just started to growl and bark. A mean mean bark, I must say! He scared her. Which surprised us both.
He then proceeded to chase her. Honestly the cutest thing I have ever seen!
I will say this though, I do not miss the super young puppy stages. It makes me feel good to know my puppy knows her name as well as command and tricks. Oh, and the fact that potty training is done and over with:).

Oh..and Lars' new name is Boss. Why? Well...he's like a boss ;). Silly? Yes! Fitting? Incredibly so! Besides, the name Lars is just bleh (my opinion, no offense whatsoever)!