Mini doughnuts

Just out of the oven

I bought a Judges mini doughnut tin, because my girls love the small doughnuts, as discovered on our recent trip to Arizona.

To start with I used the recipe that came with the tin, and I'll list it here so if you want, you can give it a try too.

Mini Baked Doughnuts

Makes 36
225g plain flour
1 tsp vanilla
175g caster sugar
1 tbsp butter (I used vegetable oil)
2 tsp baking powder
175ml milk
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Bake in the centre of a pre-heated oven 160C/325F for 15 minutes.  Test with a skewer, it should be clean when withdrawn.  Allow to cool, decorate or coat with sugar.

The first thing I discovered is that you must NOT overfill the tray.  The first batch I made were way too big, and therefore not doughnut shaped, with a delightful hole in the middle.  They were rather blobby and hard to get out of the tray.  I learned my lesson, and the next time I only filled the holes 1/2 full.  Wonderful, they came out perfectly and were easy to flip out with a rubber scraper.

We decorated the doughnuts with chocolate icing, here is the recipe we used:

Chocolate glaze icing

1/2 cup sifted powdered (icing) sugar
1/8 tsp vanilla
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder milk

Mix powdered sugar, cocoa powder,  and 1/2 tablespoon milk.  Stir in milk, 1/2 tsp at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.


And then we dipped them in sprinkles.  We also made powdered sugar doughnuts by bouncing them around in a ziplock bag with a 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.

Chocolate icing with various sprinkles and powdered sugar, yum!

A big hit with the kids!

So all in all, a success.  Do they taste like fried cake doughnuts?  No, I'm afraid they don't.  They do taste nice however, and I feel less guilty at only 70 calories each (including icing!).  I'm already looking for another recipe to try.  I'm thinking apple doughnuts rolled in cinnamon sugar.  I've got to go and ride the bike now, or else my jeans won't fit!

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Fingerless Gloves

Here is my newest creation, fingerless gloves.  I used a pattern from my new book, Knitting Block by Block.  They are fabulous, warm, comfortable, and pretty!  I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease worsted weight yarn, which I brought home from the States.  The colour is Rose Heather.  It is 80% acrylic and 20% wool, and oh so warm!  Benefits of this yarn are ease of washing.  Enough chatter, here are some pictures (courtesy of my ever so kind husband!)

He insisted on an "action shot" and who was I to argue with the photographer?

If you are interested in the book I've put two links up, one for the UK and one for the US.  I can't stress enough how cool the book is!

Blog hops to check out:

Lazy girl tart

I made this for lunch the other day, and I thought I really should share the recipe.  I've been making it for about a year now, and I love, love, love it.  It might be a good option if you are in the mood for vegetarian.  If not, throw some meat on it and dig in!

Tomato Leek Tart

1 single pie crust

      *  To make mine I use 1 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/3 cup butter, 3-4 tbs    water.  In the picture of this tart I used 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup whole wheat flour, and the rest of the recipe is the same (ok, maybe a little bit more water).  I really like the texture and flavour of the whole wheat. 

2-3 leeks (depending on size)
3 tomatoes
1 cup mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Directions:
I use my pizza pan when I make this, so I just roll the dough out round.  If you want to use a cookie sheet, then just make it rectangular.

First, make the pie crust (I use my Cuisinart).  Roll out into desired shape. Wash and slice leeks and tomatoes.  Arrange leeks and then tomato slices on pie crust. Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Top with mozzarella cheese. Fold edges over filling. I don't worry about making mine pretty, I like that it looks rustic. 

Bake at 425F/200C for 18-22 minutes or until crust is lightly browned. Cut into wedges. Serve warm. 

You can add all kinds of things to make it different: cheddar cheese below the leeks (I often do that), bacon, diced cooked chicken, spinach, anything! 

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Cable Knit Scarf

For Christmas my Dad bought me a book called Knits Men Want, which I took as a big hint that he wanted me to knit him something special.  He claims he was thinking of my husband, but I'm not so sure.  Of course, I will need to be knitting for a few more years before I have the skills to make him his prize jumper, but in the meantime I've started the scarf pattern in the book.

It seems to be taking me forever--I started in Arizona not long after Christmas, and I'm still plugging away on it back home in Scotland.  Of course, I have had to rip out a few rows here and there, because I am easily confused/distracted and there are 5 different cables.  Here is what it looks like:

Also over the holiday I bought myself a present, can you guess what it is?  Another knitting book of course!  I saw it in Barnes and Noble and had to have it, but found it on Amazon.com (on my sisters ipad, yippee) for a whole lot less (by about $10).  I guess I can see why B&N isn't doing very well financially.  I even asked the guy at the help desk if they would match the price, no deal.

Anyway, it is called Knitting Block by Block and I can't wait to get stuck in.  I'm trying to have the discipline to finish the scarf before I start on something else, but now I'm dying to make myself a blanket.  Also, the author gives instructions on how to make various things out of the blocks like bags, gloves, and tops.  Did I mention I can't wait?

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A New Year

We just got back from our trip Stateside Wednesday night.  Christmas with the family was fantastic, and my knitted hats were appreciated.  At the end of the post I've put a picture of some of my family in their presents.

It is great to be home, and although the suitcases haven't unpacked themselves yet (I might be waiting a long time for that) I thought I would get something posted.

While visiting my parents I took the down time to knit like a fiend for the charity KAS.  If you have visited my blog before then you've heard me go on and on about them.  At any rate, I did about 3 squares, a hat and a pullover.  Here is the pullover:

Knitted with Lion Brand Homespun yarn

The pattern is listed for free on the KAS website in their Square Circle Forum,  here is the link as well:

Knit-a-Square child's pullover

You will need 8 ply yarn (Aus/NZ) Double Knit (UK) Worsted Aran (USA), worsted weight (Can) - 100 gm (3.5oz) ball of yarn or scraps equivalent to that.  I have found you can use just about any kind of yarn you want.  I used Lion Homespun because someone had given me a ball.  Not my favourite to work with, but it is thick and has really good stretch.  Experiment!

4.5mm needles (I have started using the recommend size needle on the ball of yarn, and that gives me slightly different sizes.  Fun!)

Front
Cast on 44 stitches
Work 18 rows in Knit 2, Purl 2 (ribbing)
Next 30 rows Knit (stocking stitch)

Front of sleeve
Cast on 12 stitches at beginning of next row (56 stitches)
Knit 2 Purl 2 to end of row
Cast on 12 stitches at beginning of next row (68 stitches)
Work 22 rows in Knit two Purl 2 (ribbing)

Neck opening
Next row knit 2, purl 2 (rib) 21 stitches, cast off 26 stitches, rib 21 stitches
Next row knit 2, purl 2 (rib) 21 stitches, cast on 26 stitches and then rib 21 stitches

Back of sleeve
Work 22 rows in Knit 2, Purl 2 (ribbing)
Cast off 12 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows

Back
Knit next 30 rows (stocking stitch)
Work 18 rows Knit two, Purl 2 (ribbing)
Cast off loosely

To finish
Turn completed article over, fold in half wrong side to wrong side. Using a darning needle and a strand of the colour wool you have used, sew up the sides and the along the sleeves on both sides.

Here are some pictures of the hats I made:

Check out this link to Crafty Friday and the link to Creative Friday at the top right of the page to see fantastic, creative, wonderful hand crafted items.