Today I felt like I stepped back in time to my childhood bedroom.  There is a small table set up with miniature china plates, teacups and saucers and a lovely host is asking how many lumps everyone will take.  The chairs are filled with dolls and stuffed animals with one petite chair waiting for me  to sit…… Are they familiar memories?  Do you ever look back at moments like those?

There are a few loves that a girl takes with her from childhood to adulthood.  No matter how old or how busy life gets, girls just can’t resist “cute”; we adore things like scissors and construction paper, and there are never too many sprinkles, never.  I suppose this lends a hand in our obsession of cupcakes, the adorable cookies, donuts and popsicle that are so popular right now.

I’ve seen Donut Makers in the stores lately and was recently inspired to make artisan donuts myself.  They are just so darn cute, I could not resist.  Cute Tea Party would meet sophisticated, grown up treat, that was the goal. I made 3 flavors; the machine is great- so easy to use.  They really did not take much time at all, and would be perfect to take to a tea party or more likely in my world,  an early tailgate….

Recipes adapted from Bella Mini Donut Instruction Manual

Pumpkin Latte Mini Donuts

Batter

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup milk
• ½ tsp vanilla
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

Glaze

• 4 tbsp confection sugar
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin puree

Garnish

• Instant Espresso Powder, sprinkle lightly

Combine all dry ingredients and stir well.  Add remaining ingredients and beat until batter is mixed well.  Follow directions of donut maker.  Allow donuts to cool.  Combine glaze ingredients in microwave proof bowl, stir well.  Heat in microwave for 15 seconds and stir.  Dip donuts into glaze and allow excess to drip off.  Garnish before glaze sets.

Makes about 20 mini donuts

Rocky Road Mini Donuts

Batter

• ¾ cup unbleached, presifted flour
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 (1.4 oz) package Jell-O Instant Sugar Free Fat Free Chocolate Pudding mix
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp chocolate syrup
• 3 tbsp water
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

Glaze

• 4 tbsp confection sugar
• 1 tbsp milk

Garnish

• 60 mini marshmallows, cut in ½
• 2 tbsp toasted chopped nuts

Combine all dry ingredients and stir well.  Add remaining ingredients and beat until batter is mixed well.  Follow directions of donut maker.  Allow donuts to cool.  Combine glaze ingredients in microwave proof bowl, stir well.  Heat in microwave for 15 seconds and stir.  Dip donuts into glaze and allow excess to drip off.  Garnish with the mini marshmallows before glaze sets.  With a creme brulee torch carefully toast the marshmallows (if you don’t have a torch, no worries, they still taste great).

Makes about 20 mini donuts

The last donuts are Peach Cobbler, feel free to substitute the preserves with what is in season, or what you have in the pantry!

Peach Cobbler Donuts

Batter

• ¾ cup unbleached, presifted flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp peach preserves
• 3 tbsp milk
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil

Glaze

• 4 tbsp confection sugar
• 1 tbsp milk

Garnish

• 1 tbsp butter, softened
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp sugar
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon

To make the Cobbler Crumbs, preheat oven to 350. Blend all ingredients with fork until crumbles.  Spread evenly onto parchment lined baking sheet and cook for 5 minutes.  Allow to cool and break into crumble topping.

While the crumble is baking combine all batter dry ingredients and stir well.  Add remaining ingredients and beat until batter is mixed well.  Follow directions of donut maker.  Allow donuts to cool.  Combine glaze ingredients in microwave proof bowl, stir well.  Heat in microwave for 15 seconds and stir.  Dip donuts into glaze and allow excess to drip off.  Garnish before glaze sets.

Makes about 12 mini donuts

Lesson learned, you are never to old to have a tea party.