Yesterday my coworker and I were discussing donuts. She mentioned she needed to bring in some Dunkin Donuts for an early morning meeting, and I mentioned I was planning to bake up some Healthified Blueberry Donuts because I had been dreaming about them in my sleep.
Thus, the idea of serving my office up a special Sometimes Healthy Donut Edition of “Eat This, Not That” was born. (Thanks David Zinczenko from Men’s Health for letting me “borrow” your brilliant concept…PS we work out at the same gym – I always want to talk to you but then I am starstruck by your pure genius.)
Unfortunately, sadly, it appeared most of coworkers preferred…THAT.
Despite a Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter Glaze and a very clever set-up (not that I’m patting myself on the back), nearly everyone passed over the healthified donuts for a couple of Munchkins from DD.
What a pretty display - these people are lucky.
How RUDE.
So…where did I go wrong?
Blueberry Donut Dreams
Ever since I bought the donut pan a few weeks ago, I’ve been dreaming about recreating Dunkin Donuts’ delicious blueberry cake donuts.
Come to me baby!
Using a semi-homemade approach, how hard could it be, right?
Apparently, harder than I thought.
I decided to go with a muffin mix as my base, using the below ingredients as substitution and adding in some flour and oatmeal to make the batter thicker and more donut-like.
There is no reason these donuts WON'T be delicious, right?
I’d tell you the measurements, but since these weren’t my finest donuts, I don’t see the point.
Somewhere in between mixing the wet with the dry.
This is not difficult, right?
And placing in the oven for about 15 minutes per 6 donuts.
Bake away my pretties!
I ended up with this.
The leaning tower of healthified blueberry donuts.
They looked a little cooler when I piled them onto a plate like this. But still not as good as my chocolate chip donuts from a few weeks ago.
Next, I performed the necessary taste-test where I realized they tasted alright, but certainly nowhere near the deliciousness of Dunkin Donuts’ infamous Blueberry Cake Donut. They weren’t nearly as fluffy or sweet.
It was then I spotted this in the pantry while on the phone with my mother complaining about how disappointing and “heart-breaking” it is to bake something that just plain doesn’t turn out.
What do blueberry donuts and peanut butter have in common? Answer - nothing.
So I said, “Why not make a Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter Glaze?” These Healthified Blueberry Donuts clearly just needed a kick, that’s all.
My mother said, “Oy, Jamie that’s gross. Please don’t – just make the almond glaze.”
Like any good daughter, I ignored her logical and likely correct advice.
Into the pan went about 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/3 cup Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter and 3/4 confectioner’s sugar.
First I heated. Then I added peanut butter.
I'm fancy.
Then I whisked. Then I tasted.
It's allll coming together.
Then I dipped.
Jump on in Mr. Donut - so you can go from zero to hero.
Voila Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter Glazed Healthified Blueberry Donuts.
Is this Dunkin Donuts? No, it's a tiny New York Kitchen!
Now, that’s a mouthful – no pun intended.
They weren’t the finest treats to come out of the Sometimes Healthy Kitchen, that’s for sure. But, I refused to let down my coworker. Plus,
Eat This…Not That…PLEASE?
Into the gym bag they went (with Rainbow Chip frosting for those who disliked the donuts – Rainbow Frosting masks makes everything better).
Donuts, frosting, runninng shoes, sweaty clothes - a Sometimes Healthy Gym Bag.
We set up the display quickly, eager to see which donuts our hungry coworkers would go for.
After a bit of debate…the choice was clear.
Hmmmmm....Should I eat this...or that?
In first place – The Munchkins.
I want Munchkins.
In second place – the frosting.
Mmmmm. Frosting.
And finally, bringing up the back end, my poor little Healthified Blueberry Donuts.
Most people added a little Rainbow Chip frosting to the top.
The general feeling was that the healthified donuts tasted decent, but nowhere near the level of those Munchkins. Mission Fail.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
I’m sure you can all relate to baking something that just doesn’t turn out like you planned. When you write about what you bake, failure in the kitchen is doubly disappointing.
But, in the end, the donuts weren’t half bad. Plus, they encouraged people to come over and chat for a bit. We all had a good laugh over the healthified donuts, especially as the PB glaze began to crust over in the early evening (although they were all gone in the end).
As I always say, “As long as you can laugh at yourself, you’ll never cease to be amused.” This time around, the donuts definitely gave everyone a good laugh. However, rather than take offense, I quite enjoyed the playful jabs and the fun conversation. We all work a lot – especially New Yorkers. And sometimes, a bit of laughter is all we need to make the day a bit brighter.
So perhaps, I didn’t succeed in recreating DD’s Blueberry Cake Donuts, but I sure had fun trying.
I’m not one to be defeated so look for an improved recipe one of these days.
Until then…
Question:
What do you think I can do to improve my recipe? Give me some tips?
ok I LOVE that you experimented in the kitchen. you literally have the best attitude. i’m convinced you should have your own show on food network. DIY adventures with Jamie 🙂 can’t wait to see u next week!
That might be the best compliment I’ve ever received. Totally undeserved but appreciated. If I had my own show it would involve lots of spills and mistakes. Can’t you just see me saying, “Pour some milk into your muffins. I don’t know how much – just until it gets liquidy. Measurement is fo LOSERS.” I’ll pitch the idea to Food Network. haha
Munchkins and frosting? Oh boy. I never even considered that…but to make you feel better, I totally would’ve chosen yours!
Before reaching your mother’s comment, I definitely shared her reaction… I mean, SISTER!!!! But I am glad you went for it, in the end, I would be delighted if a co worker baked something I could eat guilt-free, tasty or not! 🙂 Sounds like you have a great office.
Goodness do I enjoy your posts Jamie, they alwaysss make me laugh and smile 😀 Those DD blueberry cake donuts are seriously one of the greatest things they sell there (besides a glazed crueller, boston creme and maple frosted of course 🙂 ) Although I haven’t had one in years, I can still remember it’s rather glorious taste and your are so right, yum! They are so dense and just mmmmmmmmmmm
Okay moving on.
I actually like the sound of your frosting! If I had been there I probably would have just spooned some into my mouth and called it a day 🙂
I am sorry they didn’t come out like you wanted them to… a few more tweaks ought to do it! I am such a semi-homemade gal though, I have no idea what could help 🙁 Except butter, lard and oil haha
Thank you again Tessa! I always hope I can bring a smile to someone’s day, so this is the best compliment you can possibly give me. I am craving a DD blueberry donut right now – I’m glad you like them as much as me!
I think I’d actually go for the healthified donut. I don’t bake much, but chocolate chips always make everything better.
You are SO funny! I love this idea – you totally get an “A” for effort girl! I would actually go for the healthier version – they don’t look as slimy and oily as DD usually do! So I think YOURS win in my book 🙂
Thanks Julia! And A for Effort is certainly better than nothing 🙂
Great attitude! Maybe a bit of extra baking powder to fluff them up a bit and some Splenda for a touch of added sweetness? For what it’s worth, I am not a doughnut person, so I would have gone for your healthified ones first for sure!
Great tips. Thank you!
Hahaha, what a great way to break up the day. you should do that every week at work!
I do! Cupcake Mondays are the best idea I’ve ever had 🙂