Summer Vacation Breakfast { A Post for Earth Fare}

Summer is in full swing at our house...at last. The only sad thing is that the reality is school starts again in only 5 weeks. Depressing, I know. I think I will be adopt Scarlett O'Hara's motto here, "I will think about that tomorrow." 

So, like I said, summer is in full swing. We just got back from a 2 week beach vacation in Florida, and while we are trying to get back into a routine, we still have a ton of things on the calendar to look forward to. But that's how I like it. I only get the boy home with me for a few precious weeks it seems, so I will pack them full of fun! 

Another thing I am sure to do over the summer is make some special things for breakfast. See, the boy loves breakfast, but not early like he has to eat during the school year. He wants something light on those days, so I save more filling and/or yummy things for days when we can ease into our day, like Sunday mornings, or this time of year, weekdays!

These came about because my little man said he was hungry for doughnuts and I could only make that a reality with things I had on hand. There were apples in the fruit bowl, and I went from there. 

These are super simple, delicious and perfect with a tall glass of milk, or hot cup of coffee. They even make a fun dessert instead of breakfast. 

Oh, and as a side note, whenever I post a new recipe for doughnuts, many of you want to know about the pan I use. It's a nonstick one you can usually find in the same aisle as muffin tins. They can be found at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc. I actually got mine at Crate and Barrel. Seriously, anywhere.

Summer vacation is a time for many things for me and my favorite little guy, including some time to get into the kitchen and make him some extra special treats!

Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts
1 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
3/4 c. vegetable oil
2 apples, peeled and finely chopped
2 TBS butter, melted

Cinnamon Sugar Topping
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 TBS plus 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a doughnut pan. In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and cloves. In a small bowl whisk together sugar and eggs. Pour oil in gradually and whisk until well combined. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just combined. Do not over mix. Fold in apples. Fill each well 3/4 full and bake for 15-18 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from pan to wire rack to cool. Once cool, brush with melted butter and sprinkle liberally with cinnamon sugar. Let sit for 15-20 minutes until set. Makes 10-12 doughnuts.

Shared at Weekend Potluck

A Snow Day With No Snow

Yep, that's right. Here in Indiana, we are so lucky (She says...dripping with sarcasm!) to get snow days with no snow! Unfortunately, that means there is ice instead, and that can be even more treacherous! That's exactly what happened a couple weeks ago. Not a flake of snow was on the ground, but we had gotten soaked with freezing rain/ice, and the morning commute wasn't safe for man or beast, so no school for us! 

As you know by now, when school gets cancelled, I am just as happy as little man is. I don't know which of us gets a bigger thrill when we hear our school system announced with all the others, me or him! I love having an unexpected day with him at home with me. Plus, it usually means we are going to get in the kitchen and make something extra yummy. Baking is one of those things a snow day was made for. 

This particular snow ice day we didn't know what we were in the mood for, but we knew it had to be something sweet, and we didn't have a lot to work with. See, it was towards the end of the week, and the grocery store trip was just around the corner, so we were going to work with what I had. Thankfully, I do keep basic baking things on hand at all times, so we weren't at a total loss. In fact, I bet if you go to your pantry right now, you probably have everything to make these. Okay, the maple extract might not be something you have laying around, but if that's all you need, you're doing pretty good! 

We ate these as a snack...later on that same evening for dessert...and then for a few days after for breakfast. Honestly though, Mr. E is lucky there were any left when he came home because Alex and I could have eaten the entire dozen in a blink of an eye. (And probably not felt that bad about it!)

These are super sweet, so beware! If you want to cut down on the sweetness a little bit, omit the maple flavoring. With Valentines Day being this Saturday, they would be a perfect treat for the sweet hearts in your life. 

Snow days are a simple pleasure in life that I for one, am so thankful for. My favorite little guy, at home, in the kitchen, safe and sound...pure bliss. 

Maple Frosted Spice Doughnuts
Makes 1 dozen

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 eggs

3/4 c. white sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. milk

2 TBS butter, melted

Maple Frosting:

1 c. powdered sugar

2 TBS butter, melted

1-2 TBS water

1/2-1 tsp. maple extract

Preheat oven to 325. Grease a doughnut pan and set aside. In a large bowl combine flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. In a small bowl whisk together eggs, white sugar, vanilla and melted butter. Add liquid mixture to dry mixture 1/3 at a time, stirring after each, until combined. Spoon mixture into doughnut pan, about 2/3 full for each well. Smooth tops with back of spoon. Bake for 10-15 minutes until firm to touch, and toothpick comes out clean. Rest on wire rack for a few minutes in pan. Using a silicone spatula, remove doughnuts to wire rack to completely cool. 

To make frosting, add water to powdered sugar a little at a time until desired consistency. I like it a little thick. Add butter and maple extract. Mix well. 

To frost doughnuts, dip each into frosting and let set on wire rack. 

Shared on The Country Cook Feb. 13, 2015

Doughnuts at Very Good recipes