Momma Told Me: Pick ONE.
Sprinkles.
They really are a symbol of childhood happiness in my life's story.
Out of all the insignificant little things we collect in the archives of childhood memories, sprinkles remain so permanently fixed on the most vivid of my childhood reflections.
As a young girl we lived in a small condo, a starter home for my parents, meticulously selected for it's proximity to the local elementary school and convenient distance to various commercial amenities. We had a car, a mini van to be precise, but Momma insisted on walking wherever possible. And why shouldn't she when the only thing separating our carport from the grocery store shopping plaza was a brick wall? From our doorstep it was never more than a 15 minute walk to the local diner, Chinese restaurant, postal (shipping) center, Salvation Army, major grocery chain store, hardware store, or my mother's best friend's 'second time around' consignment shop.
But, across the street from this plaza, there was also a donut shop. A small, quite literally hole in the wall, family run bakery wedged between a transmission repair shop and a check cashing center. And, on magical days, we would make the morning walk across the street so Momma could gossip with the owners over her cup of coffee, and I was rewarded with a donut of choice. For years those glimmering racks, behind the finely polished cases, towered high over my head- but only one donut in the sea of selection stood out- the Pink Frosted (with Sprinkles.)
I didn't even like the color pink.
As a tomboy, I actually quite detested it, but there was something about that bright pink frosting that just tasted like sugar magic. And the sprinkles? They made everything more wonderful.
They reminded me of over-sized gumball machines, my favorite type of birthday cake (Funfetti) and a river of soft serve frozen yogurt at the end of a dinner buffet. Yes, most of all, sprinkles reminded me of my father- the 'ice cream man.'
You may recall it was, and still is, my father's job as a technician for a major frozen dessert and beverage machine company to drive around town bringing ice cream to the people of our state. Okay, so that's more the way I envisioned his job in my head a child- he really goes from one restaurant or fast service chain to the next repairing and installing refrigeration based equipment. Think iced coffee beverages and frozen yogurt.
As a young girl it seemed we couldn't go out to eat without running into one of his clients. And, not only would the fast food chains send him home with an entire collection of the current 'happy meal' toys, we were constantly being offered free 'samples' of frozen dessert product. And, of course, there were always plenty of extra sprinkles.
So, while pink frosted donuts, and sprinkles hold many special memories from my own childhood, it's arguable that just about anyone s tempted to feel a little burst of happiness endorphins when they see a tray of freshly iced pink frosted donuts with sprinkles. It is, after all, the quintessential donut, right in front of the maple bar and chocolate glazed twist!
You can imagine now, why I felt such an intense mission to recreate this happiness symbol when I, at last, got my hands on a donut pan last month. It was not only the perfect excuse to try out my new French Press, but a great opportunity to bring a little extra sunshine to some friends and family who had recently been going through some tough times. My only regret? Now that I own this 'starter' donut pan, I need a 'real' donut pan that can hold up to my newly blossomed donut making obsession!
Because, truly, anyone can make donuts at home, especially if you are going to stick with the 'cake' kind. All you really need is a mold/pan to bake the donuts in, and a desire to watch liquid sugar drip playfully down the sides as your playful creations rest on a lucky cooling rack. I brought some of these leftovers into our Winter bowling league meeting and my league-mates are still marveling at the 'skills' required to 'make homemade donuts.' You, too, can be that amazing;y talented home baker; believe me, it's easy.
Regardless, I wish I could give everyone in the world a pink frosted donut (with sprinkles)- Some say 'buy the world a Coke,' I'll stick to my little circles of pink heaven with dancing rainbows atop. Life can get a little complicated but, sometimes, it's nice to go back to those simple moments as a little girl, eating a donut in the bakery with her mother. Discover more amazing baked recipes and reviews from our friends at
The Village Bakery.
What sweet treat or dessert holds fond childhood memories for you?
What Daughter Says: The best part of being 'grown up' is trying as many (things) as I want.
Pink Frosted Vanilla Bean Donuts (with Sprinkles)
Ingredients:
2 1/2 C All Purpose Flour
1 Cup Milk (Or Milk Substitute, I Use Coconut Almond Milk)
3/4 C + 2 TBSP Granulated Sugar
1/4 C Unsalted Butter, Melted
1/4 C Vegetable Oil
2 Large Eggs
2 TSP Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 TSP Baking Powder
3/4 TSP Salt
Seeds From 1 Fresh Scraped Vanilla Bean
1/4 TSP Baking Soda
Glaze:
1 1/2 C Confectioner's Sugar
3 TBSP Unsalted Butter, Melted
2-3 TBSP Milk (Or Milk Substitute)
1 TSP Vanilla Extract
1 Pinch of Salt
Pink Food Color + Rainbow Sprinkles
Yield: 10-12 Donuts
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425F
1. Prepare 10-12 donut pan holes with a light greasing and dusting of flour. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, combine melted butter, vegetable oil, milk, sugar, and vanilla bean seeds until smooth (about 1 MIN). Blend in eggs 1 at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
3. In 3 separate additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, add 1/3 of flour mixture, alternating with half of the milk mixture, and mix to just combined.
4. Spoon batter into prepared donut wells, filling them about 3/4. Bake in preheated oven at 425F for 7-8 MINS, or until a toothpick insertde comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool while you prepare the glaze.
5. For Glaze: In a flat bottomed bowl, whisk together confectioner's sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir in 2 TBSP of milk, adding additional TBSP as necessary to reach desired texture. Glaze should be smooth and slowly run off the back of a spoon when lifted. Add desired food color.
6. Dip cooled donuts into glaze and set on cooling rack. Sprinkle as desired. Glaze may be microwaved on HIGH for 5-10 Secs to allow for easier dipping, as needed.
Oh. My. GAWD! I want to jump right through my computer screen and bite one of those right NOW!!
ReplyDeleteThose look like something I'd get from Dunkin Donuts. I've never thought of making my own donuts before.
ReplyDeleteThose look heavenly. I've never tried making donuts on my own, but I am saving this recipe for later.
ReplyDeleteI want to try these out! I NEED the pan! YUM! It looks easy and I am always looks for something to do with the kids.
ReplyDeleteThese look delicious. I love the bright sparkles on them. Sparkles make everything more fun!
ReplyDeleteI love how pretty these are and I bet they are delicious too. Thanks for the super great recipe!
ReplyDeleteThis look amazing! You just can't even go wring with sprinkles!
ReplyDeleteThese look amazing!! I think you are right pink makes everything seem sweeter, this recipe sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteyum yum yum...these looks super tasty and super sweet which i love. lol
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing better than something sweet, pink and covered in sprinkles. This sounds like a great recipe!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, how delicious. I have never made donuts, but love them; so why not, right? My kids would love the pink part :) Ha! Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteOh wow these look INCREDIBLE! I need to try these asap! I haven't ever made donuts before but I plan to soon, these look so good and I love the pink! - Jeanine
ReplyDeleteYum! Those look so good! The sweet treat I remember most as a kid was those Tofiffay Caramel Hazelnut Candies.
ReplyDeleteThese look so delicious. I can see why you always wanted to have one. I will have to get one of these pans so i can make these. My Dad used to make donuts every year at Christmas time. He would do them in oil and dust them with icing sugar.
ReplyDeleteI love the pink. It is so cheerful with the sprinkles on them. My kids will love these. I will have to try this recipe on the weekend.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite donut has always been the apple cinnamon ones that have the apple filling in them. Even today when I go to the donut shop and they're out of that one, it's a very sad day.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I would love to try this out. They looks absolutely scrumptious and the family would be happy to test them out.
ReplyDeleteThose look so yummy. I'm trying so hard to fight a sweet tooth and you just made it so much harder ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the colors on these! They look just like the donuts from the Simpsons!
ReplyDeleteThese are some pretty donuts. They sound delicious too. These would go perfectly at a baby shower or girl's party.
ReplyDeleteI literally tell my son pick one all day long! These are adorable. We love donuts for breakfast!
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