If Only....

Our church has a tradition.  Each Sunday after Mass, there is coffee and donuts.  It is a great time to talk to people and enjoy that sweet treat.  Of course there are no calories if you eat them on Sundays, I'm sure!  We occasionally enjoyed that little indulgence.  Hmm, so good.

In reality we only consumed the sugary treat every once in a while, but as soon as we became gluten free and donuts were off limits, the longing began.  Each Sunday, I salivated quietly, sulking like a small child who doesn't get his way.  Well, maybe I exaggerate a bit, but I did miss that silly old donut.  Isn't it funny how life works that way.  If only.....

Enter Cinnamon, baker extraordinaire.  Cinnamon has a dream to one day open her own business: a gluten free bakery.  She really is a good baker and she absolutely loves to do it.  Every Saturday, the house wafts with the scintillating aromas of golden crusty bread,  crisp chocolaty cookies, and fresh baked muffins and cinnamon rolls.  Delicious.  We are so lucky!!!!

She is on a new mission now.  Donuts!  She has been baking these little gems for the past few weeks gearing up for her debut this weekend.  Starting Sunday, our church will be serving up gf donuts after Mass compliments of Cinnamon.  I am so proud of her.  She saw this as a need and set out trying to make it a reality.  She watched as families with gf members missed out on the sense of community after Mass.  She knew how she felt and figured others must certainly feel the same.  So, this week things are going to change.

A few weeks ago my mom came to visit and graciously bought this fun little kitchen appliance: a mini donut maker.  The one we use is the Bella Cucina Donut Maker.  I have absolutely no complaints!!!!  It is super easy, according to Cinnamon. 

The donuts are great and incredibly less expensive than buying gf donuts at the store.  A box of gf donuts costs $6.99 for six small donuts.  This appliance allows you make donuts for anywhere between $3.00-$5.00 depending on the ingredients.  Oh, but wait, that is for a batch of approximately 24-30 mini donuts!

It has been so much fun!  Well, fun for Cinnamon.  I haven't used it, but I have reaped the rewards!

The users manual has some recipes to get you started.  The basic donut recipe will cost you about $2.95 and make approximately 28 donuts.   Cinnamon has developed a few recipes and adapted them so they are gluten free.  Here are two of her most popular.

CHOCOLATE TOPPED DONUTS:

5 Tbsp butter (we used Earth Balance to make these dairy free too)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 cups of gf flour (we use this kind)
3/4 tsp xantham gum
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 plain soy milk

Cream butter and sugar together.  Add egg and mix well.  Add flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon to the creamed mixture.  Add milk and stir well.  Follow the donut maker directions to bake.

Chocolate Topping:

1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Boiling water
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup of chocolate chips

Mix the sugar and vanilla together.  Add just enough boiling water to make a drizzle consistency (this does not take too much, it is better to add it very slowly a little at a time).  Add melted butter and melted chocolate.  If your consistency is too thin, add more chocolate.  (Isn't that always the answer.)

Dip donuts into the chocolate mixture.  You can leave them like this or dip them again into nuts, sprinkles, or coconut.

APPLE CINNAMON DONUTS:

1 1/2 Cups of Gluten Free Flour
1 3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp xantham gum
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup of sugar
1/3 cup of butter (we use Earth Balance to make these dairy free)
1 egg
1/4 cup soy milk
1/2 cup grated apple (we like Honeycrisp apples)

Mix flour, baking powder, xantham gum, salt, nutmeg, sugar, and butter until crumbly.  In a separate bowl beat the egg and add soy milk and apple.  Pour egg mixture into the flour mix and stir until all is combined and is the consistency of donut batter.  Bake according to donut maker directions.

Topping:

1/3 cup of sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup melted butter

Mix cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl. While donuts are still warm, dip the donuts in the melted butter and then dip into the sugar mix.

By the way....these are my favorite!

So tomorrow you will know where to find me after Mass.  That's right, in the donut line!  Wait a minute.  I am bringing two plates of these yummy looking donuts to church.  Gee, I hope they make it there.  OK.  I promise......at least one will.