Milk Chocolate Donuts

Happy New Year :) 2012 has been so wonderful! This year, I got to marry my best friend-- the love of my life-- and we are now living together in our first place :) I hope that marriage continues to be a wonderful journey, in which we learn something new about each other every day and get to share many, many great moments. I also got to spend time with wonderful family and friends. And of course, another year with my Ninja face. I hope that 2013 is filled with more love, laughs, smiles, sweet moments and joy! I am looking forward to it!

But do not forget! 2012 is when I started my blog!!! One thing I learned is that starting a blog is all about timing as well. I cannot say that I chose the best time to start my blog-- because I decided to start it a few months before the wedding-- not thinking how stressed and distracted I would become! But I am so happy that I did start blogging- I have really cultivated a new love and passion for both baking and cooking. Which I would have never guessed that I would have said that about cooking :) 

I woke up this morning wanting to use my Donut maker. Sadly, I have to say I was a bit disappointed with this product that I was looking forward to using :( I knew the donuts were small, and not traditionally fried-- but after reading reviews I though they would taste similar to cake donuts but they did not! I do not get the hype about them at all. They are basically cake in a donut shape. 

MILK CHOCOLATE DONUTS

From Nostalgia Electrics Donut Maker 

INGREDIENTS

1 c. all purpose flour

1/2 c. cocoa powder*

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1-1/2 stick of butter, softened

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 1/2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla 

1/2 c. buttermilk

Powdered sugar for dusting 

*For a darker, richer taste- use dark cocoa powder

DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl- combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt-- set aside. Cream together butter and sugar until light and creamy, about 6-8 minutes. Then add eggs, one at a time followed by the vanilla. Beat flour an buttermilk alternately into the wet ingredients-- ending with dry ingredients. Heat the donut maker and fill bottom wells until almost full (I used a pipping bag to have a smooth control over filling each well. Also do not perfectly fill each well as it will over flow slightly. Close lid and cook for 3-5 minutes. The manual suggests 5-7 minutes-- but this will cause the donuts to burn on the bottom. Allow donuts to completely cook. Dust with powdered sugar. 

Enjoy,

Chika