Baked Donut Monday: Peanut Butter and Chocolate!

Monday, Monday Monday!!!

I'm back again for another Baked Donut Monday post

and today I'm going to tell you about some super tasty

PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE DONUTS!

The more baked donuts that I make, the harder it is to come up with new ideas.

So when I realized a co-worker's family member makes baked donuts,

I was quite happy and had the hardest time picking which to adapt.

In the end, Peanut Butter and Chocolate won out because YUM!!!

I wasn't going to change much to Jonathan's recipe,

but I don't do many things the easy way in life,

so of course I had to change a thing or two.

And the biggest change was making them dairy free!

Keep reading to see how these yummy donuts are made.

The Goods:

All-Purpose Flour

Baking Powder

Baking Soda

Salt

Brown Sugar

Unsalted Butter

Creamy Peanut Butter

Egg

Vanilla Extract

Almond Milk

Vinegar

Powdered Sugar

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Peanut Butter Chips

Make your homemade almond buttermilk and set aside.

(Simply replace almond milk for regular milk!)

Whisk together the flour, baking powder baking soda and salt.

Set aside.

Mix the butter, peanut butter and brown sugar until light and creamy.

Add the egg and mix completely.

Next add the vanilla and stir until combined.

Now time to add the dry ingredients and almond buttermilk alternately.

Mix in half the dry ingredients...

Now mix in all of the almond buttermilk...

And finally mix the remaining dry ingredients until incorporated. 

Transfer donut batter to a large zipper bag.

Cut off the end of the zipper bag 

and fill your donut pan until 1/2 to 3/4 full.

If you have empty spaces, fill with water to prevent pan from burning!

Bake at 350 degrees in greased donut pan for about 10 minutes.

Depending on your oven, these may take less or more time.

Test with a toothpick - if it comes our clean the donuts are done!

Cool in the pan for a minute or two, 

then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

While donuts are cooling, it's time to make your chocolate glaze!

Whisk together the powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder.

Add 3 tablespoons almond milk and mix to make glaze.

If glaze is too thick, add another tablespoon of almond milk to thin.

These may look like chopped up peanuts,

but really they're chopped up peanut butter chips!!!

Take a cooled peanut butter donut...

And dip the smooth size into the glaze.

So that it's almost half covered and looks something like this!

Immediately after, dip glazed donut into the chopped peanut butter chips.

Space the donuts out on a wire rack in order for glaze to set. 

You can do both the chocolate glaze and peanut butter chips for all the donuts,

or you can be like me and leave some just chocolate glazed.

While both were tasty, I think I liked the simple chocolate best!

Lastly, package up a few of the tasty treats to give away!

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Donuts

Adapted from The Candid Appetite

For the Donuts:

1 Cup All-Purpose Flour

3/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder

1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/3 Cup Brown Sugar

3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter

1/4 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter

1 Egg

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 Cup Almond Buttermilk

For the Glaze/Toppings:

1 Cup Powdered Sugar

3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

3 to 4 Tablespoons Almond Milk

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 Cup Chopped Peanut Butter Chips

1. Make your homemade almond buttermilk and set aside. Simply replace almond milk for regular milk!
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder baking soda and salt. Set aside.
3. Mix the butter, peanut butter and brown sugar until light and creamy.
4. Add the egg and mix completely.
5. Next add the vanilla and stir until combined.
6. Now time to add the dry ingredients and almond buttermilk alternately. Mix in half the dry ingredients, followed by all of the almond butter milk, and finish with the rest of the dry ingredients.
7. Transfer donut batter to a large zipper bag.
8. Cut off the end of the zipper bag and fill your donut pan until 1/2 to 3/4 full.
9. Bake at 350 degrees in greased donut pan for about 10 minutes. Depending on your oven, these may take less or more time. Test with a toothpick - if it comes our clean the donuts are done!
10. Cool in the pan for a minute or two, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
11. While donuts are cooling, it's time to make your chocolate glaze! Whisk together the powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder. Add 3 tablespoons almond milk and mix to make glaze. If glaze is too thick, add another tablespoon of almond milk to thin.
12. Take a cooled peanut butter donut, dip the smooth side into the chocolate glaze and then immediately into the chopped peanut butter chips.
13. Space the donuts out on a wire rack in order for glaze to set. Once set, dig in and ENJOY!!!

Whiskey Wednesday: Sage Brown Derby

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

Last year, I started a fun new blog series - 

Whiskey Wednesday!!!

If you missed them, here are past posts:
Irish Mule
 Mint Julep
Bourbon & Sparkling Lemonade
Irish Redhead
Old Fashion
Jameson Coke Floats
Bourbon Cherry Coke
Bourbon Spiked Apple Cider
Hot Toddy
Whiskey Sour

Make sure to check back each month for a new recipe!

Whiskey Wednesday will happen every first Wednesday of the month.

My friend and coworker Kumi is also a fan of whiskey,
so I'm constantly either picking her brain for new drink suggestions
or she'll text them to me when she finds one that sounds yummy.

If you haven't figured it out just yet,
this month's drink was a Kumi suggestion.
And I'm now a big fan of a Sage Brown Derby!

Let me show you how simple it is to make!

The Goods:

Whiskey*

Red or Pink Grapefruit

Limes

Agave Syrup

Bitters

Fresh Sage

*The original recipe calls for Rye Whiskey,
but I liked it just fine with Jack Daniels.

Start by squeezing your fresh lime and grapefruit juice.

Next measure and pour the following into a cocktail shaker:

2 Ounces Whiskey

1 Ounce Grapefruit Juice

1/2 Ounce Lime Juice

1/4 Ounce Agave Syrup

2 Dashes Bitters

Shake with ice until chilled and strain into glass.

Slap sage to release aroma and place on top before serving.

Like I said before, I am now a Sage Brown Derby fan!

I loved the tartness from the grapefruit and lime juices

and the addition of sage was just perfect!

If you haven't tried one yet, I think you should soon!

Influenster Cheers To You VoxBox Reviews!

What's Influenster?
Influenster is a community of trendsetters, social media aficionados and educated consumers who like to give their honest opinions of products and experiences. 
For more info - go here!

What's a VoxBox?
VoxBoxes are boxes filled with complimentary goodies from your favorite brands!
Again, for more info - go here!

And more importantly how do YOU get one?!?
Select Infuenster users receive FREE themed products based on information provided, social media activity, demographics, badge activity, and sometimes just plain ol' luck.
Once again, for more info - go here!

Keep reading and see what I got to review in my most recent VOXBOX!!!

Suave Professionals Coconut Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

When I saw Coconut Milk I was sold immediately!

I'm pretty much a fan of ANYTHING with coconut in it,

so I was quite excited to give this shampoo and condition a try.

And not surprisingly, I ended up really liking it!

Dr. Teal's Lavender Epson Salt

These definitely helped my sore muscles,

but I think my favorite part was the scent!

The lavender made it so easy to just soak and relax.

Check back in March for a detailed review post on these!

Hormel Chicken Taco Meat

I'm really picky about the quality of meat I eat,

especially when it comes to precooked meat,

but I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed this!

For a more detailed review, check out this post. 

Simply Sprouted Way Better Snacks 
Sweet Chili Tortilla Chips

To be honest, I didn't have high hopes for these chips.

But I was pleasantly surprised when I took the first bite,

because man oh man were they DELICIOUS!!!!

They reminded me of a healthy version of a Cool Ranch Dorito. 

I hope you enjoyed reading my reviews!

As a reminder, I was given everything free to try, 

but every opinion is 100% my own.

Hormel Chicken Taco Salad

This is an Influenster sponsored review.

I was given the Hormel Chicken Taco Meat free to try, but every opinion is 100% my own.

When I received my most recent VoxBox from Influenster,

I think I was most excited to try out the Hormel Chicken Taco Meat.

I instantly knew that I wasn't going to make typical tacos,

but instead was going to use the meat for a giant taco salad!

I posted this picture on Instagram the night I made the salad.

And now I crave the salad anytime I see this picture!

Now that I've told you how amazing it is,

let me show you how simple it was to make!

The Goods:

Hormel Chicken Taco Meat

Lettuce

Tomatoes

Avocado

Monterey Jack Cheese

Pickled Jalapenos

Black Beans

Rice*

Cilantro*

Limes*

Sour Cream

Salsa

Ranch Dressing

*I used the Rice, Cilantro and Limes to make an easy,

knockoff version of Chipotle's Cilantro Lime Rice.

Once you have all your ingredients prepped, 

you're pretty much already done with the hard stuff.

Just throw everything in a bowl and toss to combine.

And because I like my food to not only taste good, but look good too,

I put my salad into a nicer bowl and topped it with a little more cheese.

Even though this salad has quite a few ingredients,

it was one of the easiest salads I've ever made!

Hormel made it super simple for you,

because the chicken is already cooked and seasoned perfectly!

I'm really picky about the quality of meat I eat,

especially when it comes to precooked meat,

but I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed this!

Favorite Kitchen Tools!

Happy Friday you guys!!!

I'm back today for another Friday Link Up!

This week, I'm linking up with THREE different groups.

Make sure to check them all out at the bottom of this post!

Since the majority of what I post about is food,
and I've been cooking for quite a few years now,
I figured today I'd share with you guys my

FIVE FAVORITE KITCHEN TOOLS!!!

Wusthof Knives

 While I don't have a full set of these babies,
I have pieced together a nice collection over time.
My collection includes the following:
17-Slot Block, Chef's Knife, Santoku Knife, 
Paring Knife, Pull- Apart Shears and a Honing Steel 


Hamilton Beach Programmable Crock Pot

I've used a crock pot for well over a decade,

but this one is a HUGE step up from my original.

Not only is it much bigger, it's programmable,

but the best part is that you can brown the meat in it!!!

I don't know about you, but that was a game changer for me.

Kitchen Gurus Food Scale

My brother got the for me for my brithday a few years ago.
And while it's not something I'd probably have bought myself,
I really do love having it around now.
I find myself using it more and more these days
because it makes certain tasks so much faster and easier!


KitchenAid Stand Mixer

I've had my stand mixer for almost ten years now.

When I first got it, I thought I'd make baking easier.

But I've learned to use it for other things too.

It makes certain cooking tasks easier,

and I haven't had to kneed dough by hand in years!!!

Cast Iron Double Burner Reversivle Grill/Griddle

This is one of my most used kitchen tools by far.
It's so versitle and I'm always finding new things to make on it.
It makes making tons of pancakes super easy,
is a great way to grill meats indoors,
and make an amazing grilld cheese sandwich too!!!
 
Don't forget, many places online offer cast back through Ebates!
I ALWAYS check Ebates before placeing an order online.
And really - who doesn't like free money???
It's not always much, but it's some money back!

Now for more Friday Link Up Fun, check out the blogs below!

Andrea and Erika's blogs from Friday Favorites.

April and Christina's blogs from 5 on Friday.

Karli and Amy's blogs from oh hey friday!

 

Things I'm Lovin' Tuesday: Converse Shoreline Sneakers

This is a non-sponsored review and I purchased or received as a gift my own shoes.

A few months ago I started another monthly blog series called

THINGS I'M LOVIN' TUESDAY!!!

If you missed the first few, you can find them:

here, here, here, here, here, here and here;

and make sure to check back every last Tuesday of the month!

Now onto what I'm lovin' this month...

I've been a fan of Converse Chuck Taylors for many years.

Always the low top verson for me peronally.

I've had many colors over time too -

black, red, gray and now white.

But not just the regural low top white.

Nope, I decide to swith it up a lil.

Last Fall I was doing a lil shopping and ordered

Converse Chuck Taylor Shoreline Sneakers.

And man, oh man, oh man...

I LOVED these shoes from first time I tried them on.

They were like the regural Chuck Taylors

ONLY BETTER!!!!

 They slip on and are a lil more feminine.

Now if you doubt  my love for these shoes,

here's are a few photos of me wearing them!!!

They are super cute with jeans - cuffed and uncuffed,

but I can't wait to wear them with shorts this Spring and Summer!

And for those of you wondering if I wear them without socks,

no I do not - I wear super tiny almost non-exsistant nude socks.