...Kids Kitchen... Baked Doughnuts

Ok, so being a donut fanatic myself, I'm going to have to keep the frequency of this little activity in check...But here's a really easy, really fun recipe kids can help with from start to finish. Luckily our Bible study gals were here to help us devour these in 1 night, but they do keep decently as leftovers!

MATERIALS::

1 Children's Apron
1 Doughnut Pan (available on Amazon & in specialty kitchen stores)
Various Toppings (i.e.-nuts, sprinkles, coconut, etc)

INGREDIENTS::

Vanilla Cake Donut:
2 C Flour (we used 1 1/4 C white flour, 3/4 C wheat flour)
1/2 C Brown Sugar         
2 tsp Baking Powder      
1/4 t Nutmeg                  
 1 tsp Salt                      
3/4 C Buttermilk (we used Coconut milk, it was just fine)
2 Eggs, lightly beaten    
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
2T butter, melted (we used applesauce, again, it was fine)
*Makes 12 doughnuts


Chocolate Cake Doughnuts:
1 C Flour                       1/4 C Cocoa Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda        1/4 tsp Salt
1/2 C Buttermilk             1/2 C Brown Sugar
1 Egg                           4 tsp Melted Butter
1 tsp Vanilla
*Makes 6 Doughnuts

1. Heat oven to 425*F and spray donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large bowl mix dry ingredients. Add buttermilk, egg(s) and butter. Beat until just combined. Fill each donut cup approximately 2/3 full.
3. Bake 7-9 minutes, or until the top of the donuts spring back when touched. Let cool in the pan for 4-5 mins before removing.
4. Top & Decorate as desired! (see below for topping recipes)

Cinnamon Sugar

Mix 2 Tablespoons Sugar with 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon. Melt 1 Tablespoon Butter.
Dip the donut in melted butter and roll in cinnamon/sugar mixture to coat.

Chocolate Glaze

Microwave 1/2 C Semisweet Chocolate Chips with 2 Tablespoons Butter and 2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup in a bowl for 1 minute (or in a double boiler, stirring frequently) until melted. Stir in 1 Tablespoon Water until the glaze is thick and smooth. Use immediately to glaze donuts.

Powdered Sugar

Put 2/3 C Confectioners Sugar in a ziplock bag. Add a warm donut, close the bag, and shake until the donut is coated.

Here's what our donut-making fun looked like:

**Did you know that Baking-not frying-these homemade delights saves you a whopping 12g of fat compared to store-bought (& store-fried) donuts? YEOW! That's what I call 'healthfood'! ;)
**If you fill the pan with too much dough, then you'll get a bit of a muffin-top effect. --->
Of course, if you eat too many, you'll get the same effect, but that's another story...

**To Freeze Donuts for later topping & enjoying: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap & foil (if you have foil, unlike me at this present time) and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw, frost or cover as desired, & Enjoy!