Homemade Chocolate Glazed Donuts | Hot, Fresh, Dripping Chocolate Glazed Donut Recipe

I hope you don't have any plans this Saturday morning.

Because you do now.  You will be making homemade chocolate glazed donuts.

If you do already have plans, you should make these for dessert on Friday night... an ah-mazing treat for your friends.  

I've made homemade donuts before out of store-bought biscuit dough.  They are really great, but in their own unique way.  They aren't quite the light and fluffy donut you'd find in a bakery.  So, I decided to attempt to replicate one of our donut shop favorites : The Round-John, as they're called around our house (because they are of the same make up of a chocolate Long John, but round in shape, and not to be confused with a glazed chocolate donut which is chocolate dough with regular glaze... which happened once and resulted in an immediate trip back to the donut shop).



Here's the best part - they are made from one of my most favorite products : Frozen Bread Dough.  You may remember that I use frozen dough to make soooo many things... 'homemade' cinnamon rolls, pizza bread, monkey bread, etc.  Fore the glaze, I used my Warm Chocolate Icing Recipe from the chocolate sheet cake post.

I really hope you take the time to make these some weekend - it is a fun process to do with your family.  I have great memories of making donuts with my Grannie on the weekends.  I remember thinking how amazing it was that I could top them with anything I wanted.  Unleashing creativity starts early.

Homemade Donuts
with a chocolate glaze

1 loaf of thawed but still cold frozen bread dough loaf or rolls (Rhodes brand is what I use)
vegetable oil

Thaw the frozen bread dough over night in the refrigerator or with the defrost method in your microwave.  Cut the loaf into 12 equal sections, or use the individual rolls to form donuts.

Poke a whole in the middle of each section, then stick a finger from each hand in the hole and sort of wind them, stretching the center hole.  Place them on a greased baking sheet.  If you want to get extra fancy, you can use the Donut Cutters from my store.  They come in two sizes... and you'll get the holes!

Spray a piece of plastic wrap with non-stick spray, then cover the donuts and let them proof in a warm spot for 30 minutes.

Fry the donuts for just 30 second to a minute on each side, then remove and place on a paper towel lined tray.  Let cool slightly, then glaze while still warm.

 Warm Chocolate Glaze

1 stick butter
2-3  tablespoons cocoa
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3-4 cups powdered sugar (desired consistency)

In a saucepan, melt 1 stick of butter.  Remove from heat and add cocoa.  Stir in milk vanilla and powdered sugar.  Start with 3 cups of powdered sugar, then add more if you'd like it to be thicker. 

 Here is the easy-to-pin step-by-step!

Find more Donut Supplies in my store for Baked and Old Fashion (fried...) Donuts : )

 

French Potato Salad

It is almost that time... the time of year when I made big batches of salads to keep in the fridge for easy lunches.  During the summer, I usually keep a chicken salad, potato/pasta salad and vegetable salad in the fridge to go with a quick BLT (or usually just T).  I used the Barefoot Contessa's recipe for this French Potato Salad, recipe, here.

It is a very simple - steamed potatoes tossed in a dijon and champagne vinaigrette with parsley, dill and scallions.  It was tart and tangy with the dressing and herbs - a perfect compliment to the sweet brisket sauce.


I use this Large Basin Bowl ($16) from the Robin's Egg Blue Enamelware Collection for everything - including beers on ice and salads!

Instead of cubes, I did the potatoes in slices - made it look/seem more like a dinner side dish than a potato salad.

Simple and pretty - perfect "real" food for summer.

I'm excited to snack on this all week for lunch.  I'm trying to upgrade my lunches during the week from a peanut butter sandwich... any ideas?

Shop : Large Basin Bowl ($16) from the Robin's Egg Blue Enamelware Collection

Summer Brew | Orange & Blueberry Wheat Beer

Summer Brews are the best - refreshing, flavorful, citrus-y and light.  The original Summer Brew is beer mixed with vodka lemonade.  Delicious.  However, I'm a huge fan of wheat beers (Boulevard, Blue Moon, etc.) topped with an orange... so, I created my own version of a summer brew with fresh squeezed orange juice, vodka and wheat beer.  I garnished it with fresh blue berries and an orange slice to make it colorful and fun... it is, after all, a cocktail.

Orange & Blueberry
Summer Brew
4 cocktails


3 oranges, 2 juiced, 1 sliced
1/2 cup of water
1 tablespoon of sugar
1/4 cup of vodka
4 wheat beers (ex. Boulevard, Blue Moon)
Fresh Blue Berries

Mix together the fresh orange juice, water, sugar and vodka just before the party - keep it cold in the refrigerator, then add the beer and garnishes when served.

Summer Brews are great for outdoor parties - more refreshing than wine on these hot summer evenings.

Get the Marinated Steak Kebabs recipe, here.

See all of the details of my Outdoor Dinner Party, here.

The Summer Collection - Blue & White

The Summer Collection

I've never yearned summer like I am this year (...okay, except maybe when I was in grade school).  I'm ready for a new routine of no routine.  I'm ready for lazy mornings with too much coffee and biscuit sandwiches for breakfast on the back porch.  I'm ready for bike rides, trips to the lake, and long nights at the pool.  I'm ready for simple entertaining with kids running around in the back yard, fireflies and too much rosé : )

This collection is all of those things to me - easy, chic, simple.  I'm hoping our summer is filled with slowing down, enjoying nature and each other.

To see the entire Summer Collection, visit here > 


Here are some of my favorites : )

Blue & White Aprons, $34 

Buckets, Set of 2, $28

I've already found so many uses for these buckets - besides flowers.  Last weekend, I used the large to chill a bottle of rose and the small to hold roll-ups of silverware.  Of course, they look great with flowers, too.  

Copper Biscuit Cutter, $15

For the last three years I've featured my Copper Cookie Cutters as heirloom quality pieces to be shared for generations... all the while, I've been using a coffee cup to cut out biscuits.  Since we make biscuits around here quite often, I thought it was high time I upgraded one of our everyday favorites.  As we all know, memories aren't always made during holidays and special occasions, but lazy summer mornings, too.

Herb Pots


I will have these pretty much everywhere.  Since we have a large population of leafy green loving animals (bunnies!) in our yard, herbs are best kept in a pot out of reach.  So far, I have planted basil, thyme, cilantro, rosemary, italian parsley, chives and lavender.

Blue & White Ceramic Pots

I picked up these small herbs at Trader Joe's for $3 each.  They fit perfectly into these Blue and White Containers.  

Lulu Green Pillow, $32

This is such a beautiful pillow. The green is accented with robin's egg blue, making it very fresh for summer.

Size : 23" x 16"

Cover Only, Insert not included.

Classic Cream & Sugar, $84

I love anything that can serve as a duel purpose.  These little cuties will be in constant use in our home - mostly as mini vessels for flowers, and occasionally actually be used for Cream & Sugar : )

Children Garden Tools, $12

I like simple toys, especially in the backyard.  Tools, especially, allow kids to explore for hours.

Set includes three tools.  Made in Germany.

Nautical Copper Cookie Cutters, $15 each

A staple every year in my store and in my home - these are just so charming!  Perfect for a birthday party, bake sale or wedding shower.  

Robin's Egg Blue Enamelware, $16-24

I will continue to stock the enamelware through the summer - it is the most perfect summer entertaining essential.  It is inexpensive, casual and such a great color.  I love dressing it up and dressing it down.  

Willow Vase with Handle, $20

Restocked from Spring!  This Willow Vase is perfect for big bouquets of lilacs or hydrangea... or whatever you have growing in your yard.  I also plan to use mine outside with pillar candles inside.  I love how casual and rustic they look, but can look so elegant on a pretty table.

Nautical Copper Cookie Cutters | Sailboats, Whales & Lobsters are back!

Nautical Copper Cookie Cutters | Sailboats, Whales & Lobsters are back!

A summer season in my store wouldn't be complete without some copper cookie cutters.  I start receiving email requests for these beginning in March every year : )   I know I say this every season, but these might be my all time favorite.  Sailboats, Whales & Lobsters - they are just so charming and whimsical.  They would be the perfect addition to any summer party or bake sale - I've already had many orders for rehearsal dinners, showers and birthday parties.  

The Nautical Copper Cookie Cutters are available in my store, here.

As you can see, they are really easy to decorate - just filling in with solid colors.  You can make them as simple or as complicated as you'd like.  

I've included my go-to sugar cookie and icing recipe below!

Shop the entire Summer Collection, here >

I love that the whale looks like it belongs on a Vineyard Vines shirt ; )

Of course they look great with Robin's Egg Blue Enamelware ($16-24), too.

Buy Nautical Copper Cookie Cutters, here. 

the best

sugar cookies

2 sticks of butter

1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar

2 1/2 cups of flour

1 tsp of vanilla bean paste

1 tsp of cream of tarter

1 tsp of baking soda

1 egg

In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together butter and powdered sugar.  Add Flour, vanilla, cream of tarter, soda, then mix for 20 seconds, then and egg.  On slow, stir together ingredients just until combined.  

Turn the dough out onto a floured board and wrap it with plastic wrap.  Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.  

Unwrap the dough and put it on a floured board.  Roll out dough until 1/4 inch thick.  Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet.   Bake for 6-8 minutes at 350 degrees just until the edges begin to turn brown - baking time will depend on size and thickness of the cookie.

I use parchment pan liners for baking and my 12" pastry bags & gel icing colors to make the decorating look as neat as possible. 

Royal Icing

3 egg whites

4 cups of powdered sugar

In the mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until almost frothy.  Add in the powdered sugar and whisk on slow until smooth.  

You may need to add more or less powdered sugar or water to achieve desired thickness.  For sugar cookies, you want the icing to be thin enough that it will fall back on itself and smooth itself out, but not too thin so it will run off of the cookie.

Here is a link to my post about mixing great icing colors - My Icing Color Wheel Post.  I will try to do a separate one for these exact colors, if you plan to make your own.

It really is just outlining, and filling in the lines.  

The sailboat requires a little more planning, but is still very simple.  You can just do one solid triangle on top, and a boat below.

The lobsters are very simple, too.  The red color requires lots of the red gel coloring to get anything that doesn't look pinkish.

Each cutter is ready for gift-giving packaged with a copy of my Sugar Cookie Recipe in a Large Cello Bag, tied with ribbon.  They make a great favor, too... especially if you don't think you are up to actually making the cookies.

The whale is shown packaged in the Medium Cello Bag and the Sailboat and Lobster fit best packaged in the Large Cello Bag.

The Nautical Copper Cookie Cutters, here!

Lemon Basil Grilled Shrimp with Pesto Pasta

When you think of backyard entertaining, burgers or steaks are usually on the menu.  If the crowd is right I like to take a fresher approach and serve pasta with Homemade Pesto Sauce
and Lemon Basil Grilled Shrimp.


I served this same shrimp as an appetizer last year at my Ladies Night Patio Party, and the year before as an entree with grilled corn on the cob and asparagus. 

You can use any pesto for the pasta that you like - it is so much easier to make than you'd think!  The basil in my garden is not quite ready to harvest, so I bought a huge bunch to use at Trader Joes for just a couple of dollars.  I like the put the hot pasta in a big bowl straight from the pasta water and toss it with the pesto - the heat takes a little bit of the edge off of the fresh basil and raw garlic.


Recipes :

Homemade Pesto Sauce

Lemon Basil Grilled Shrimp

Do you have any grilling favorites other than the standard steaks and burgers?  I'm needing inspiration... the new grill needs to be put to use!