I am sort of obsessed with the trio of pink, purple, and teal together–though admittedly it’s not exactly a rainbow of color, it’s close enough for me. I always call it the Care Bear/Rainbow Pony color scheme. It’s the girliest and while I love, love it there aren’t a lot of applications of it in my life these days…as I am no longer 8-years-old and prone to hoarding my cache of Lisa Frank stickers. Those days are, sadly, long gone.
I originally purchased myself a heart shaped doughnut pan with plans for Valentine’s treats that never really happened, so when I was toying with the idea of something rainbow inspired for St. Patrick’s day I just knew it was time to make some heart-shaped, candy-colored doughnuts happen.
These doughnuts are the baked cake variety, all vanilla with a bit of pure maple syrup in the glaze for fun. They are tender, light, and unabashedly bright. I made them on a gloomy, rainy day…which we all know is just the sort of day that makes the best rainbows.
I made the little flags out of washi tape and toothpicks–I thought they came out super cute and they were really simple too. *Also, the plates, bunting, and cups were c/o Susty Party and were part of a fun, compostable party kit. You can find this kit, among other supplies on their website. The cups hold hot and cold liquids like a charm and the plates are SUPER strong. They also carry those paper straws we all know and love!
Baked Vanilla Cake Doughnuts
Adapted from Doughnuts by Lara Ferroni
I used vanilla sugar and vanilla extract in these, you can certainly omit the vanilla sugar for regular sugar if you do not have any on hand. This recipe make about 12 doughnuts.
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup vanilla sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup warm milk
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 large egg, beaten
Gel food coloring, optional
Preheat the oven to 350F and lightly spray a doughnut pan with cooking spray.
If coloring, place a small drop of food color in 3 separate bowls and set aside.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, nutmeg, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and using your fingertips, rub the butter into the dry mixture, as if you were making a pastry crust, until evenly distributed. Add the milk, yogurt, vanilla, and egg, stir until just combined, OR if using gel color leave slightly under-mixed, divide evenly among 3 bowls and fold to combine with the color.
Using a piping bag or spoon, fill each donut well 3/4 full, making sure the center post is free of batter. Bake until doughnuts spring back to the touch–6-10 minutes. Cool slightly before removing from the pan. Glaze as desired.
Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2-2 teaspoons milk–depending on desired consistency
In a medium bowl whisk together all ingredients except milk. Add milk 1/2 teaspoon at a time to reach your desired consistency for the glaze. Dip donuts, rounded side down, in glaze and add sprinkles as desired.
** For the sake of full disclosure, I have to note that these items were given to me by Susty Party, however I was not paid for my review and all opinions are my own.
Jenna
Those. Are. Precious!!! We must try those. Thanks for sharing!
cindy
Yes! Thank you!
Amy
These are soooo cute! And I am sure they are tasty too…they look to me like something my Megan would make..no wonder you two are friends !!
cindy
yes! Megan just knows things 🙂
Susty Party
WOW! We can’t wait to see your creations and every time they come out we are blown away! What will she dream up next?! 🙂
cindy
Thank you!
Terris-FreeEats
These are awesome Cindy. So whimsical and I love the soft colors of your glazes. I’ve been down for the count with strep throat, so I’m off to see what you’ve been up to. 🙂
cindy
thank you Terris, I hope your recovery is swift!
Katrina
I LOVE that color combo! I always call them Polly Pocket colors. The doughnuts look delicious too 🙂
cindy
Yes! Polly Pocket colors are a perfect description!
Sonia
Cute! Love your photos!
cindy
Sonia, Thanks!
jordan
I saw you post the batter on instagram and thought it was sooooooo cute! These are adorable!
cindy
Nice! Thanks!
NicoleD
I love your doughnuts and the pretty sprinkles and washi tape flags! Ahh! When I saw your colorful doughnuts on instagram, the colors instantly made me happy. If only I still had my rainbow unicorn trapper keeper to tuck under my arm while munching on these beauties 🙂
cindy
yes! I wish you still had that trapper keeper too, ha!
beti
aww they are just too cute to eat them! but they look delicious
cindy
aw, thanks Beti!
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
These are so pretty that they almost don’t look like real food! I love the colors!
cindy
Thanks Maggie!
T. Allen
super duper cute! what a fun way to wash the gloomy day away 🙂
jenny
omg! when I saw that first photo, I immediately thought of one of my favorite my little ponies. and then I literally shrieked when I saw the reference in your post! it must be the week of MLP because I also just read this article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/10/bronycon-2012-bronies-my-little-pony_n_1196695.html
maybe you can cater their gathering next year?! 😉
cindy
haha, thanks! and thanks for the link!
Kaytee
YUM! this looks wonderful.i love the decorative little flags!
cindy
Thanks Kaytee!
NerdyBaker
Okay, I love, love, love those star sprinkles! I need to get a doughnut pan. I love frying doughnuts but I like variety! These look so yummy, perfect for the kiddos.
cindy
yes! fried doughnuts are definitely the best, but sometimes baked just feel slightly less guilt inducing 🙂
Leila
I made these! They are so delicious!!! And not 1893478571 calories like every other doughnut in the world 🙂
cindy
awesome! I’m so glad 😀
Olivia
Oh! Them doughnuts were epic. I love the purple ones:)
cindy
Thanks!