Great British Bake Off: Donuts

Episode 8: Advanced Dough

Recipe (Showstopper Challenge): Donuts

I was so excited to do this challenge! Not only would I be able to make one of the greatest loves of my life but I had an occasion to make them! (baby shower) I think I actually did these challenges out of order because the baby shower was soon after I had completed Episode 7. I decided to make two different kinds – a regular yeast donut (blueberry filling, lemon glaze that was tinted blue – haha) and a fall spice cake donut.

I made a basic donut recipe via Mark Bittman (NYT) – which can be found here.

The fall spice donuts is actually an apple cider donut recipe, also via NYT. It can be found here. 

I’ve made donuts in the past before (successfully) so it was a familiar process to me. I don’t make them regularly because I find working with frying oil a little unwieldy, messy and well – a bit impractical. I’m always left with a container of oil that I have no idea what to do with. And because of the flavors of the donuts – everything I make after tastes like autumn spices! (not always a bad thing)

Anyway both recipes are very easy to use and I encourage fellow donut enthusiasts to try their hand at making their own. The main difference between the two is the styles of dough. The yeast one is, well, yeast-risen. These are the fluffy and light kind of donuts. The other one is a cake-style of donut which doesn’t need to be risen, it uses traditional leavener (baking powder & soda). The texture is like a cake – with a looser crumb with a crunchy exterior. Both make terrific donuts – do you have one that you prefer? I love both, haha!

My apologies in advance for the poor lighting – darn these kitchen lights!

Yeast donuts proofing (will have a filling) – 2nd rise.

Frying!

Spice donuts rolled out and cut – getting ready to be fried.

And in they go!

Final donut (not glazed yet) with blueberry filling

Spice donuts with the matching hole (before glaze)

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to snap a pic of the finish and glazed donuts (blue and yellow) but they were very well received by guests.

Overall: 8.5/10

And that completes my Great British Bake Off challenge! I wasn’t able to finish the last two episodes but I feel like I baked more than enough that year. It felt really good to flex my baking muscles and learn a lot of new skills. But as a result, I took a nice long break from any serious baking but I think I’m ready for a new year and a new challenge…stay tuned.