Okay, so I'm going to be the first to admit that I am not a professional cook/baker. What I will confess is I pretty much grew up in a kitchen. My mom's side of the family owned and operated Lee's Beehive, Lee's Sandwich Shop (both in Harvard Sq.), and Lee's Burgers (in Newton Center) until about 3-ish years ago. Lee's Burgers still exists and my cousin still works there - we just no longer own it!
Growing up, I spent nearly all of my free time at the "restaurant", my friends would come visit me there. Usually only being allowed to leave once my mom thought they were sufficiently fed read: stuffed to the brim. I began watching, learning, and soaking up everything there was to know about running a restaurant.
I would often ask my mom if we could try out recipes, in between her waiting on customers, making their food, or prepping for the day - I still have no idea how she found the time to multitask everything, mom's are superheroes! - we would whip up treats and food - whatever we wanted (o:3
fast-forward to now, I'm twenty-four and trying to make things on my own - that doesn't mean I don't call my mom for her tips, tricks, and help every so often. read : all the time.
I had some leftover bananas that were bordering on banana bread level, so I figured I would take a stab at making (banana) donuts!
Ingredients
Donuts
1 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg - optional
3/4 cup granulated sugar - feel free to use less if you please!
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups mashed ripe bananas (3 bananas)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Frosting
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
2 tablespoons salted butter
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
dash of pure vanilla extract
hot water (optional)
Instructions
Prep Time 20 mins | Cook Time 12-15 mins | Total Time 40 mins | Yields a dozen donuts
Preheat the oven - 350. Grease your two donuts pans (6 on each).
Then, in a large bowl, whisk together some of the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg <-- worth it). In a separate small bowl, whisk together : sugar, eggs, bananas, vanilla & oil. You're halfway there! Now, stir the wet ingredients (small bowl) into the dry (large bowl) until everything is the same consistency. Spoon your batter into each circle, until three-quarters full. Bake until golden/toothpick is dry - 12-15 minutes; let them cool on a rack.
There are two ways you can go about making the frosting for these - one on the stove, two the microwave. Take your pick! doing this over the stove will yield a browner butter but using the microwave is quicker if you're impatient like me. Depends on your patience and taste preference.
Melt the butter either on the stove or in the microwave. Nuke the peanut butter until it's pliable (20-30 seconds). Add the butter to the peanut butter and then slowly mix in the confectioners sugar (to taste! - I sometimes don't add it all) and the vanilla extract. If it's too thick either zap the frosting in the microwave at ten second intervals or add in a tablespoon hot water.
the hardest part is waiting for the frosting to set
Dip your donuts - smooth side down - and enjoy!
