On Donuts, Again

The vegan version!

Welcome to the Friday post for paid subscribers! Today, we’re diving into another variation of donuts, which are one of my favorite things to bake. These particular donuts are chocolate with chai icing, but, as always, if you think this sounds better with frosting from a can, you do you! On Tuesday, all subscribers will receive a post all about chicken parmesan.

I think you know by now that I am picky about what I will expend effort to make at home. I have acknowledged, at the ripe old age of 29, that I simply cannot. What is it, you ask that I cannot? I cannot ride the emotional rollercoaster of trying and failing to make something at home that I know deep down will never be as good as that same thing that has been purchased. Here are some examples:

• Sourdough bread: I, like so many others, fermented, shaped, and obsessed over many, many loaves of sourdough bread during the pandemic. When things began to open back up and my life got busier, I remembered how good it feels to walk into a local bakery and buy a loaf of bread on Sundays. It makes me feel very European (?), very wholesome, and very connected, and frankly, the bread is better than mine ever was.

• A good cocktail: As you know, I drink mostly wine these days. Why? Because during COVID, I realized what an absolutely futile gesture it was to try to buy enough liquor bottles to actually be able to make the things I wanted. And because opening a bottle is easier than getting out a shaker and putting on a show. Exceptions to the rule include aperitivos like this one. And my latest obsession, good amaro on ice.

• Donuts: I detest deep-frying at home, especially when it’s something sweet. If I’m craving an old fashioned donut, I will absolutely go out to get one. If you read ‘donuts’ on the headline today and your mind immediately pictured a nice, deep fried donut, may I suggest you stop reading now and go get yourself that donut?

There is an exception to my donut rule, though. If it has to be deep fried, forget it, but if it’s something something sweet and cake-y to go with my coffee that I’m after, these beauties will do the trick. And satisfying cravings without having to brave what has turned into one of the coldest Chicago winters I can remember surviving is definitely a win.

The chocolate donut itself here is decidedly not too sweet. It really does need the icing, so even if you’re like me and absolutely dread a cloying bite of anything, just trust me and make the icing. It has a pinch of salt in it, too, so you know it can’t be *too* bad.

Chai and Chocolate Vegan Donuts