Monday, November 05, 2012

Maple Pecan Donuts


When a beauty and creating-loving Mama is trying not to get sick and feeling weary in the process, what is she to do? I know what this Mama loves to do which is to create some beauty - it makes me feel better instantly!

I've been reading past issues of Life:Beautiful thanks to a fun gift from my Mom and am currently in the Fall/Winter issues. I loved the article on homemade donuts and coffee and when a lovely Fall  afternoon stretched before me with chores done and littles happily playing - I jumped in!


Initially, I planned to make the donuts and refrigerate them and then cook them another morning - but instead I made them right then and served them for dinner with scrambled eggs and sausage! We took a number of them in the car with us the next morning to the State Fair.

Maple Pecan Donuts {Life:Beautiful Holiday 2011}
1 package yeast
1/4 c. warm water
1 c. milk
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. shortening
3/4 c. prepared mashed potatoes
2 eggs
1 1/2 Tbsp. maple flavoring
5 c. flour
Maple Frosting (below)
Chopped Pecans

In a small bowl dissolve yeast in warm water. Heat milk until almost boiling and stir in sugar, shortening, mashed potatoes, eggs, maple flavoring and yeast mixture. Gradually stir in flour and knead until smooth and elastic.

Cover and let rise about an hour. Roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch and use a 3 inch donut cutter to shape donuts. (I use a plastic tupperware container to cut the 3 inch circles and mini shaped cookie cutters for the centers.) Cover and let rise another hour.

Heat oil and fry donuts, let them drain on paper towels and frost with Maple Frosting dipping tops into chopped pecans. Makes about 18 donuts and donut holes.

Maple Frosting {Note: I had difficulty with this spreading unless it was constantly warm on the burner and added more milk in addition. I also omitted the maple flavoring as there was so much in the donuts. Next time, I'd probably use a different frosting recipe.}

3/4 c. packed brown sugar
6 Tbsp. butter
1/3 c. milk
3 1/4 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. maple flavoring

Combine brown sugar and butter. Bring to a boil. Add milk and return to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and maple flavoring until smooth.




Yum!

6 comments:

Wendi said...

Yum! Making donuts from scratch is still on my to do list.

*carrie* said...

My mouth is watering!

Anonymous said...

I remember you mentioning that you got all the back issues on DVD or something. Can you remind me of how to do this?
Thanks!

Monica Wilkinson said...

Hey Anon: I got back print issues, rather than on DVD. You can visit lifebeautiful.com for info - my Mom ordered them for a b'day gift for me and I've been trying to enjoy them by appropriate season :) Lovely!

Melissa said...

YUMMO! May I request these!?!?!

Mrs. K said...

That article inspired a fun family night for us last winter! We tried two different recipes. http://coveredandprayingtowngirl.blogspot.com/2012/01/donuts.html