Baked Donuts

My husband loves donuts and is in fact a donut snob- he doesn't really care for the donuts at a grocery store. When we lived in Washington we frequented at Top Pot Donuts- they honestly have the best donuts I've ever had. We have yet to find our new donut joint in our new home and until we do, we rely on homemade baked donuts.

I bought a donut pan for him for Christmas last year off Amazon (seriously, what can't you find on Amazon?). We tried the recipe on the back of the pan and enjoyed them enough, but it wasn't until we found the following recipe that I decided to buy another donut pan so we can make them to share with family and friends. I found the recipe on allrecipes.com and though they are not as delicious as hot fried donuts, they certainly hit the spot as a baked alternative.

Fluffy Cake Donuts

2 c flour

3/4 c sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

3/4 c milk

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp shortening

1. Preheat oven to 325. Lightly grease donut pan.

2. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Stir in milk, eggs, vanilla and shortening.

3. Fill each donut cup approximately 3/4 full. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the oven, until donuts spring back when touched. Allow to cool slightly before removing from pan.

4. Spread with desired topping (Nutella, Mascarpone dip, brown sugar and cinnamon or a glaze)