Donuts!

 We had a fun family night recently around a delicious theme - DONUTS!  In the Holiday 2011 issue of Life Beautiful magazine, there was a stunning feature on donuts.  I had never made donuts before so I thought we would try it.  

As a side note, I would highly recommend this magazine.  I have cancelled all of my other magazine subscriptions except this one.  It is a Christian magazine with scripture liberally sprinkled throughout, regular monthly contributors such as Gary Smalley, Dr. Dobson, and Janet Parshall.  The pictures and projects are reminiscent of Martha Stewart in quality with a focus on faith and family.  I have used lots of ideas and recipes and often cut the scriptures out for inspiration around the home.
 

Soon after, I spied this book at the library - a title we had never read before and knew it would be a perfect compliment to our donuts!

 We made the chocolate cake and vanilla cake donuts.  This was an easy batter to whip together, topped with chocolate ganache and chocolate jimmies.  We all thought these were a little dry but 1) it was my first attempt at donuts and 2) it was chocolate batter so it was difficult to tell doneness and I'm wondering if I overcooked them?

 I found these adorable "donuts" on Pinterest and decided to throw them in for extra fun.  It's simply Cheerios covered with cinnamon & sugar, powdered sugar, or chocolate frosting and sprinkles.  They suggested painting the cereal with honey but I just sprayed them with cooking oil and tossed them in a baggie with the topping (except, of course, the frosting and sprinkles).  One of the boys decided they preferred these "donuts" over the real ones!

 The dog wanted apple juice with his donuts so we had apple juice with ours as well.  There's a first (and last) time for everything....donuts deserve milk.  The boys loved the story - who doesn't love Laura Numeroff's "If You Give A...." series?

This was, hands down, the favorite, a simple glazed vanilla buttermilk cake donut with a touch of nutmeg.