I'm not sure if I have mentioned it, but my hubby just took a new job two months ago. He's now the pastor at one of the oldest churches in the county. It's a darling "little white church in the woods" with a wonderful congregation of only about forty people right now. This new journey is not starting off slowly - these folks knew they needed some change, and change is indeed occurring! So far the change is mostly physical (you can see some of the pics on Facebook at Old Springfield Church). It's invigorating and exciting to experience! But of course, the traditional duties must be attended to, also. This week I accompanied Dave on his visits to the shut-ins of the church. I met some delightful people!! One that particularly charmed me was Dorothy, a 92-yr.old widow who was the church organist years ago. Her home was crowded with mementos from her past - bottles she had painted, photos of friends and family, a framed button collection.... and at least four keyboards! She still plays regularly....and she gets her exercise by dancing to tape recordings of music she played "back in the day". She led us into the small living room where she insisted on dancing for us. After she popped the tape into the player, she grabbed her wheeled walker and began to delicately pace up and down the room, swaying to the music. It was beautiful to see her embracing life in spite of her limitations! I was reminded to embrace every moment I've been given and make the most of it!
Your friends and family will appreciate it if you'd sweeten their moments with these delicious doughnuts!! They're perfect to serve as a holiday morning surprise! I wish you joy as you embrace these busy weeks before Christmas!
Brown Sugar and Spice Baked Doughnuts!
Dough:
1 Tbsp./
Packet Red Star Platinum Yeast
¼ Cup warm
water
¾ Cup milk,
warm to the touch
¼ Cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 ½ tsp.
vanilla
1 egg
½ Cup
butter, softened
2 ½- 3 ½ Cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
Sugar coating:
½ Cup
butter, melted
½ Cup sugar
½ Cup Brown
sugar
1 Tbsp.
cinnamon
½ tsp.
nutmeg
Place yeast
in EZ DOH bucket. Add warm water and stir to dissolve yeast. Add milk, then 1
cup of flour, then remaining ingredients. EZ DOH-it, adding flour as needed, until dough is smooth, not
sticky. It should be a very soft, tender dough. Remove from bucket, spray the
bucket with cooking spray and replace the dough. Cover and let rise until
doubled. While dough is rising, stir
together the sugars and spices for the coating. Place in a covered container
that can be used for shaking/coating the doughnuts when the time comes.
Punch down
dough and, on a lightly floured surface, roll out into an approximately ½”
thick rectangle. Using a doughnut or biscuit cutter, cut out 3” doughnuts with
1” holes. Place doughnuts on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cover gently and place in a warm spot until almost doubled in size. Remove cover and bake in a preheated 400
degree oven for 5-8 minutes, until golden. Dip warm doughnuts in warm melted
butter, then place in the sugar container and gently toss doughnut in sugar
mix. Remove from container and enjoy while warm!!
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