Baked Donuts

My parents got me a donut pan for my birthday.  They also got me a heavier kettlebell.  Good combo parental units.

I have been wanting a donut pan for awhile.  Like I would remind my mom that I wanted a donut pan for my birthday every time I called her  (which is almost daily).  My parents tell me that they are sure the donut pan will end up on our next garage sale. Like any good daughter, I aim to prove them wrong.

This past Sunday I whipped up some baked donuts.  They didn’t disappoint.

Keep in mind that baked donuts are baked.  Baked means that they will not taste nearly as good as their fried cousins.  They are more of a cake donut.  I, personally, am not picky when it comes to donuts.  If it’s sugar in a ring form, I’ll probably love it.

Did I mention that I’m trying to eat better this week.  Mmm, donuts.  It’s okay.  They are baked.

I have made two donut recipes.  The following is my favorite. 

Spiced Cake Donuts

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp shortening

Preheat oven to 325.  Lightly grease the oven pan.

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking power, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt.  Stir in milk, eggs, vanilla and shortening.  Beat together until well blended.

Fill each donut cup approximately 3/4 full.  I used the Wilton Dessert Decorator.  I’m still a messy donut maker but the decorator did make filling the pan easier.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until donuts spring back when touched.

Allow to cool slightly before removing from the pan.

Now to choose your topping.

Chocolate Glaze

• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 Tbs. melted butter
• 1 tbsp corn syrup
• 1 tsp, hot water

In medium bowl, microwave chocolate chips, butter and corn syrup on 50% power for 1 minute.  Stir frequently until completely melted.  Stir in hot water until the glaze is thick and smooth (~1 tsp).

Glazed

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp hot water

Mix together and dip donut in the glaze.

Powdered Sugar

Place powdered sugar in a resealable plastic bag.  Add donut.  Shake until coated.

Are you a baked donut fan?  Any great donut recipes that I should try?

Stencil Dilemma

Because I was super lazy this week-end.  (I’m going to blame the gloomy weather.)

Because I can’t make up my mind.  (This I can’t blame on the weather.)

Because everyone loves surveys.  (It’s true.)

Because people like to tell other people what to do. (Super true.)

What should I do with that white wall in my craft room?

If you’re new/catching up on the craft room, the walls are Sherwin Williams March Wind. The buffet is Sherwin Williams Agate Green. The buttons are a mix of white, coral, green and grey.  The sewing table is white with a Sun Bleached stain. The chairs are getting a paint job but I think they depend on my wall choice.  I plan on replacing the light (get over it Nate) and adding some colorful art above the sewing table.

That white wall is confusing me.  I have two stencils options that I am pondering.  Royal Design Studios Modern Chevron and Royal Design Studios Hollywood Squares. 

(This is not a sponsored post.  I won the stencils by entering our powder room into a Craftbaby contest.  RDS will offer up a stencil for a giveaway if I get my act together and get to stenciling.  Think of that as motivation for helping me out.)

I just can’t commit. Design paralysis. I’m probably just overthinking this (in true Michelle fashion). I just can’t decide.

Do I do coral chevron?  Or grey chevron (I would use March Wind.  I have decided that much.)?  But chevron is so overdone.  But I like it.

The squares are really fun but will probably take me 100 years to finish.  But grey squares. I can see it.  Or coral.  Coral is always good.

Or I could leave the walls white, find a fun fabric for a curtain and call it done.

What would you do with that white wall? 

Thanks for helping out an indecisive blogger.

Paint a Chalkboard Wall

Everyone needs to sit down.  I have a unique and genius idea to share with you all. 

I painted a chalkboard wall in my craft room.  No one has ever painted a wall with chalkboard paint before.  I’m sure of it.

What’s that? I’m the millionth blogger to slap chalkboard paint on their wall?  Really?  Who knew.

I was only going to do a post where I showed you my new chalkboard wall (because the process is not a new one).  But my brother and mom had questions on how I did it.  I then remembered that quite a few of my readers only read this blog (Which is scary for blogging.  Shout out the ladies at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility.)  Here’s what I learned.

How to Paint a Chalkboard Wall

Purchase your chalkboard paint.  I went with Rust-Oleum’s ChalkBoard paint.  I purchased it at Menards for ~$10.  I’ve seen it at Lowe’s also.  It’s located near the spray paint.  It comes in black and green.  I went with black.

Paint your wall as you would with any other wall paint.  I used two coats.  I used almost the entire can on this small section of wall.  I’m also a messy painter so there’s that.

Let the paint dry for at least 3 days. 

You will then need to “prime” the walls with chalk. You do this by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk all over the wall.  This step is a little messy but necessary.  Rubbing the chalk all over prevents your future writing from being permanently stuck on your wall.

I wiped the chalk off with a dry paper towel. And then vacuumed the floor because it was gross.

Now you are ready to draw on your wall!

Chalkboard walls are great for doodling. (All drawn by my little brother. I have zero drawing abilities.)

Chalkboard walls are also great for weekly yearly maternity photos.

I feel bad for the poor girl that ends up here after Googling “chalkboard wall maternity photo”.  Mwah ha ha.  It’s the little things in life that bring my brother and I joy.

Are you a fan of chalkboard walls or do they scare you?  Don’t worry.  They scared me.  And now I find them ridiculously fun. Even if it is totally over done.