Happy National Doughnut Day!

According to my local newspaper, the PilotOnline, National Doughnut Day began in 1938 by the Salvation Army in Chicago to honor women who served doughnuts to soldiers during the war.

So, in the spirit of the day, I broke out my new-to-me Baby Cakes doughnut maker (hand-me-down from my mother.  Thanks Mom!)  and attempted my first batch of homemade doughnuts.  I neglected to take pictures of the process, but here is the finished product.

I used the recipe from the instructions, but made a few changes as noted below.  While I used a doughnut maker, I think you can also use a doughnut pan that you can find at Target and other places. 

CHOCOLATE DOUGHNUTS

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup cocoa

½ cup sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 egg

¾ cup buttermilk*

¼ cup vegetable oil (I used Canola oil)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1.      Stir the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl.  Add egg, buttermilk, oil and vanilla.  Using a mixer on medium speed, blend until smooth.  

2.      Fill each donut with about 2 tablespoons of batter.  When I use the machine again I am going to use a pastry bag or a gallon sized plastic bag with a hole cut in the corner to fill the reservoirs.  I think that will be easier.

3.      Bake about 4 or 5 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the donut comes out clean.  I think this was too long.  The first batch turned out a little overdone.  About 3 ½ minutes worked better with my machine.

4.      Glaze or dust with powdered sugar.

*If you do not have buttermilk, pour 2 ¾ teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar (I used vinegar) into a glass measuring cup.  Add milk to equal ¾ and stir.  Allow to stand 5 to 10 minutes.

The recipe says that it makes 28 doughnuts.  I got about 32.

CHOCOLATE GLAZE 

¾ cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

2 tablespoons half and half (I used skim milk)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Whisk all ingredients together adding more milk if necessary for glaze consistency.  Dip donuts half-way in glaze; place on wire rack and allow glaze to set up.   Note:  If you want to add sprinkles (and who doesn’t?) be sure to do so before the glaze sets up.

Print Recipe Here:

Enjoy!