Tender, Sweet, Fluffy Doughnuts

I claim no credit for this.

I must write that disclaimer because my first two attempts at fried cakes (doughnuts) last week were dismal.

The outside was too crunchy.... The inside was too dense. And they just weren't anything you'd jump up and down and say "Mommy, please??? Please can we go to Blodgett's Farm and get doughnuts and see the kitties and chickens? PLEASE????"

That's the reaction I wanted. That's what you need/seek when you want folks to come back again and again.

And there are tricks to every trade. In baking, the slightest variation changes the dough conditioning and then the final product.

I wasn't sure what I was looking for, and I'm still testing ideas, but this one worked so well that the entire crew (the weekend crew, and that's a lot of folks!) gave it a thumbs up....

The recipe was on Allrecipes.com....My Mom's Raised Doughnuts

These came out great. Does it take a little work? Sure, I was a first-timer so each step takes a little longer...

And this week I'm going to test this one:

Crispy and Creamy Doughnuts

And we're going to do some with plain glaze (that's what we did last week), maple glaze (Cle Elum Maple Bars, anyone??? From my Double S Ranch books? You better believe the sign on those will mention those amazing cowboys in Central Washington!)

And maybe some crushed-nut-crusted, too?

No cooking here this week, except for a pot of red sauce and meatballs..... My go-to standby on busy weeks and while I'm juggling seed orders, buying wood for new fall displays, writing, editing, and little ones in and out.... plus a fun day in Cheektowaga with the RWA chapter there!!!.... cooking took a back burner.

But we're going to call this all research. Research into little goats and delicious confections. Research into drawing two careers into a third and not having it become the BERMUDA TRIANGLE!!!

Did anyone read James Michener's Hawaii? I loved Nyuk Tsin,  the Chinese laborer/mother/grandmother who built her own little dynasty for the sake of her family. She worked hard, learned hard, and applied lessons to everyday life.

Nyuk Tsin was my kind of woman.

I loved that book, I loved the depth of characters and the outside look at how English/European/Christian influences can alter the direction of a nation... But also what the resultant blend can be.

Laney has discovered her first favorite book. The gets it off the shelf and runs it to me when she comes in the door... "My Symphony" illustrated by Mary Engelbreit. SHE LOVES THIS BOOK. I don't know if it's all the pictures of the pretty little girls, or the flowers or the colors, but she loves it. We read it again and again and again.... and she never grows tired of it.

Kind of like me and Sleepless in Seattle. Or Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth).... I could watch them so many times and not even care.... Because they're faves!

I'm not sure how much cooking will go down this week, either, but Lacey's going to make some of her Christmas sliders for Football Sunday (playoffs!!!) so maybe we'll check them out next week... And who knows? There might just be another doughnut recipe in my back pocket!!!

Multi-published Ruth Logan Herne loves God, her family, her crazy little farm in upstate New York and she's got a real soft spot for dogs, critters, coffee and chocolate.... And if you're nice to a little kid, you are her new BFF!!! Friend her on facebook or stop by her website ruthloganherne.com...
She'd love to hear from you!