Out with the Old

Not too long ago, a friend sent me a link with the most searched foods in every state.  As I read the list, I realized I'd shared recipes for 10 of these foods.  While I ring in 2018 by preparing new blog posts, I thought I'd share these oldies but goodies from previous years.  Did your state make my list?

Alabama:  My grandmother's made from scratch pound cake has been one of my top 10 posts since I shared the recipe in 2013.

Arizona:  You don't need a lot of chilies to add heat to this crock-pot chili.

Illinois:  This chicken and wild rice soup is similar to one served at a popular restaurant chain.

Indiana:  Hoosiers hankering for noodle casseroles might want to try this oodles of noodles lasagna recipe.

Kentucky:  This peanut butter fudge requires no cooking, unless you consider softening ingredients in the microwave as cooking!

Maine:  You don't have to roll, cut out or fry these doughnuts.

Michigan:  I don't make dessert very often, but when I do chances are I'm making these no bake cookies.

Ohio:  The Buckeye State loves the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, especially in the form of peanut butter brownies.

Vermont:  One of the few states whose most searched food is a vegetable. These pickled beets taste just like what my mom used to make.

West Virginia:  West Virginians love pumpkin desserts.  I hope they would agree pumpkin pie goes from ho hum to wow with this tasty pecan streusel topping.

If your state isn't listed, you can view the complete list here.

© Margaret's Morsels

Doughnuts for Dad

Last year, I posted a muffin recipe for Mother's Day.  Father's Day is Sunday so I thought I'd stick with alliteration and post a doughnut recipe for dad.  The recipe is easy -- you don't even need an electric mixer -- and chances are you have the ingredients on hand.  Unlike the muffin recipe, the doughnuts don't start with a cake mix, but like the muffins they're baked in the oven.  If you don't have a mini doughnut pan, bake them as mini muffins, but keep in mind the quantity and baking time may differ.   

Baking is a science which is why recipes for baked goods need to be made as directed.  That said, there is a little leeway in this recipe.  The recipe is flavored with cinnamon, but you change the spice to suit your taste.  My family loves cinnamon so I increased the amount to one teaspoon.  If you're using another spice, you might need to reduce the amount so it won't be too overpowering.  

You may not be able to alter the recipe, but you have choices when it comes to the topping.  You can leave the doughnuts plain or brush the tops with a powdered sugar glaze.  If you use a glaze, you also have the option of decorating the top with sprinkles.

Other possibilities include dusting the tops with powdered sugar or, what I use, a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.

Whichever topping you choose, make sure to have it ready before you start baking the doughnuts.

Once the ingredients are combined, spoon the batter into a disposable pastry bag.  Snip off a corner of the bag and pipe the batter into a greased mini doughnut pan, filling each cavity 2/3 full.

The doughnuts only take about 5 minutes to bake.  Don't rely on the color to tell when the doughnuts are done; the tops don't get very brown.  The doughnuts are done when they start pulling away from the sides of the pan and the tops spring back when touched.  If you're not sure, insert a toothpick into a doughnut.  If the toothpick comes out clean, the doughnuts are done.

Remove the doughnuts from the pan and add the desired topping.  Put the doughnuts top side up on a wire rack to cool completely.  Be sure to grease the pan before baking the next batch of doughnuts.

In addition to gifts of tools, gadgets or gizmos, give dad a gift from the kitchen.  If you use the doughnut recipe, but bake them as muffins, think of them as muffins for your man.  If your man prefers "dude food," fix him a grilled steak instead.  They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but it's also a good way to show him how much you care.   

Baked Mini Doughnuts

42 Servings

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted (for topping)

cinnamon sugar (for topping)

Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; set aside.  Combine 2 tablespoons melted margarine with milk, sugar and egg; beat with a whisk until smooth.  Add mixture to flour mixture and stir until well blended. Spoon or pipe the dough into greased mini doughnut pans, filling each cavity 2/3 full.  Bake at 375° for 5 minutes.  Remove doughnuts from pan and brush with 1/4 cup melted margarine.  Coat the tops of the doughnuts with cinnamon sugar.  Put doughnuts top side up on a cooling rack and cool completely.

© Margaret's Morsels