Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Donut Daze

It was a bash. A birthday bash. Myself celebrating 26 years of life, Lia the roomie moving onto 23 years. Our birthday party theme was "forever young" which entailed ample amounts of refined sugar, cheap toys, and pastel streamers. We all met a new sugar high that night with vegan birthday goodies such as: Dirt N' Worms, Jello Jiggler shots, Salt water taffy, a double-layer apple walnut maple cake, and the cherry on top ... hand-made donuts!


 Lia took it upon herself to bake up these delicious beauties for our party. But these weren't just any party donuts to munch on here and there, oh no, the purpose much more. These donuts hung from string, which hung from a broom, which someone held up while guests raced to finish without using their hands. Covered in chocolate and sprinkles this proved to be quite an entertaining party game I would highly recommend to anyone.

Battle royal - Jared vs. Birthday Girl (I won)

Andrew and Kristina duking it out.
Here's the recipe that Lia found online and veganized it - substituting one banana for the eggs, rice milk, and earth balance.

Old-Fashioned Cake Donut Recipe

Ingredients:
  • 2 1/2 c. flour
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 1 Tbsp. softened unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 c. milk
Directions:
  1. In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl beat the eggs and sugar with a mixer.
  3. Add the softened butter, vanilla, and milk and mix until well-incorporated.
  4. Slowly add the dry ingredients and beat until smooth. Do not overmix.
  5. Lightly coat the inside of the donut maker with nonstick cooking spray and fill with batter.
  6. Hold the machine just over the hot oil and lightly press on the lever to release the batter. Then gently release the lever and allow the donut to fall into the pan. **NOTE: we did not have a donut maker - Lia shaped the donuts with her hands, and simply dipped into hot vegetable oil.**
  7. Fry the donut batter in hot vegetable oil, turning halfway through to ensure even browning. Fry approximately one minute per side, although that time can vary depending on how hot the oil is.
  8. Remove golden-brown donuts and allow them to cool on paper towels.
Makes about 1 dozen donuts.
Read more at Suite101: How to Make Homemade Donuts: Old-Fashioned Cake Donut Recipe http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-make-homemade-donuts-a196698#ixzz189g7LN00

There ya have it folks. They are simply delicious. The chocolate ganache was made by melting down about 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips with a tablespoon of earth balance.  Let the donuts cool and then just dip 'em on in.
ENJOY!