Baked Chocolate Donuts

Well… I would have accomplished more this week if I hadn’t started watching “Once Upon a Time.”  You see, I needed a new show.  I only watch 2 TV shows (Castle and Marvel) and I exercise 5 times per week.  So I found “Once Upon a Time” on Netflix since several people commented Elsa was in it (my daughter had a Elsa shirt and tutu on), plus I wanted to see it years ago when it first started anyway.  I’m on season 2 already!  But the laundry got done, so hey it’s a win-win.  Boy those people have serious forgiveness issues don’t they?  LOL  Seriously, though.  The whole show would fall apart if someone said “I’m sorry” and the other person said “I accept.”

I finally finished my foyer!  Too bad I’ll have to take it down in a week after Halloween, but oh well.  I like the bats and hope I can keep them for next year.

Here will be my biggest project: the study.  I would like some shelves and added built in desk area behind the stand alone desk.  One for the computer and the die-cut machine while the other work space is for making the things I made using the machine.  I have already painted this room TWICE.  The first time I painted it the color was TOO blue — “Sleepy Blue” to be precise.  The color was beautiful on the swatch, when it was wet and even on the paint can!  Beautiful, but not what I had in mind.  Then, I got another can of paint 🙂  This one is “Evening Shadow” and just the perfect cool gray I was looking for.

Recipe:  So, this recipe came about from a sleep over!  They wanted donuts for breakfast and I’m just too lazy to run all the way to the store for donuts.  Especially in the morning.  Instead, I used my donut pan to make these.  I have seen many donut recipes work in muffin pans and mini muffin pans as well!  So fear not.  The donut pan is just something fun.

The batter is very thick which makes it easier to pipe into your pan.  I just used a ziplock bag and cut the corner off to pipe the batter in.  The donuts are like cake chocolate donuts need frosting.  Doesn’t everything?  So, I included my favorite one bowl frosting recipe.  You could use your favorite or use some powdered sugar thinned out with a little milk and a splash of vanilla if you don’t have chocolate around.

The kids had a blast decorating these as well!  Fun for a weekend morning or special day.

They are kid approved!!!  🙂

Baked Chocolate Donuts
makes 12

2 cups (10 oz.) AP flour
1/2 cup + 2 Tb. sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2/3 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tablespoons melted butter, cool

1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2.  Spray your donut or muffin pan.
3.  In a great big bowl, whisk together the dry stuff: flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
4.  Add the wet stuff:  milk, eggs, vanilla and butter.  Stir until just combined.
5.  Each of the wells of your pan should be about 2/3 full.  You can use a ziplock bag, cookie scoop or two spoons.  Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Shorter for mini muffins and longer for regular muffins.  A toothpick should come out clean when they are done.  Cool for 5-10 minutes.  Take out the donuts and cool on a rack.

Recipe from Food Family Finds

One Bowl Frosting
(makes a lot; cut in half or 1/4th for the donuts)

4 oz. (4 squares) unsweetened chocolate
1 lb. powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter, soft
2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup milk

In a microwave safe bowl, heat up the chocolate until it is melted.  Stir often!  Add sugar, butter and vanilla.  Stir in the milk little by little until you get the consistency you like.  The frosting dries out fast, so keep covered when not in use.

Recipe from Kraft