I was happy to be going home, and not just to April Springs.
Home to me was wherever the people I loved were.
And having that made me richer than anybody else in the world.
In the end, love was the only currency that I cared about.
RECIPES
Hot Cocoa Treats
A blast from the past that I’ve loved since first stumbling onto it years ago, no matter the season. For an extra blast, make these and serve them with piping-hot cups of cocoa for a double whammy you won’t soon forget!
Ingredients
Dry
1 cup bread flour (unbleached all-purpose flour can be used as well)
1⁄2 cup hot chocolate mix (a store-bought powder works fine)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
Wet
1 egg, beaten
1⁄2 cup chocolate milk (2% or whole preferred)
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, hot chocolate mix, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt) and sift together. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients (beaten egg, chocolate milk, butter, sugar, and vanilla). Slowly add the wet mix to the dry mix, stirring until it’s all incorporated, but don’t overmix.
Bake in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes in cupcake trays or small donut molds. I bought a dedicated donut baker that sits on my countertop, and I absolutely love it. It’s easy to use, reliable, not expensive at all, and makes perfect donuts every time. These donuts usually take 6 to 7 minutes to make.
Once the donuts are finished, remove them to a cooling rack. After they cool just a bit, they can be covered with chocolate icing or a chocolate glaze with chocolate sprinkles for an extra jolt, but actually, they are good enough to eat as they come out of the oven.
Makes 5 to 9 donuts, depending on baking method
The Easiest Donut You’ll Ever Make
I’m almost embarrassed to admit how often I’ve made these in the past. They are so easy and delicious that when I’m feeling ultra lazy, these are my go-to treats. Try them yourself, and you’ll see what I mean!
Ingredients
1 can biscuit dough (I like the sourdough recipe)
Directions
Preheat canola oil to 375°F.
Remove biscuit dough from container, then cut into desired shapes.
Add to oil, turning once after 2 minutes.
Drain on paper towels, then eat plain or with confectioners’ sugar or powdered chocolate.
Makes 4 to 8 donuts
Lemon Perfection Donuts
Lemon is one of my favorite flavors in the world, and making these just reinforces that feeling. When you want a taste of spring, no matter what the season, give these delights a try!
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 teaspoons confectioners’ sugar
Dash of salt
1 egg, beaten
1⁄4 cup milk (whole or 2%)
1⁄4 cup lemonade (sweetened)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Lemon zest (one lemon)
Four crushed lemon candies, about 1 tablespoon (entirely optional)
Canola oil, enough to submerge the donuts
Directions
Heat enough canola oil to fry your treats to 365°F.
While the oil is heating, in a medium-sized bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, confectioners’ sugar, and salt together. Set it aside, and in a larger bowl, beat the egg, then add the milk, lemonade, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir to combine the ingredients, then slowly add the dry mix to the wet, stirring thoroughly as you go. Now is the time to mix in the candies in the batter if you choose to go that route. Use two tablespoons, one to scoop the batter and the other to slide it off into the oil once it comes to temperature. Cook each drop for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown, and then remove from the oil and place on a paper towel. A dusting of confectioners’ sugar is optional, but we always do it at my house!
Makes approximately 12 lemon drop donuts
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Other Books by Jessica Beck
The Donut Mysteries
Glazed Murder
Fatally Frosted
Sinister Sprinkles
Evil Éclairs
Tragic Toppings
Killer Crullers
Drop Dead Chocolate
Powdered Peril
Illegally Iced
Deadly Donuts
Assault and Batter
Sweet Suspects
Deep Fried Homicide
Custard Crime
Lemon Larceny
Bad Bites
Old Fashioned Crooks
Dangerous Dough
Troubled Treats
Sugar Coated Sins
Criminal Crumbs
Vanilla Vices
Raspberry Revenge
Fugitive Filling
Devil’s Food Defense
Pumpkin Pleas
Floured Felonies
Mixed Malice
Tasty Trials
Baked Books
Cranberry Crimes
Boston Cream Bribes
Cherry Filled Charges
Scary Sweets
Cocoa Crush
Pastry Penalties
Apple Stuffed Alibies
Perjury Proof
Caramel Canvas
Dark Drizzles
Counterfeit Confections
Measured Mayhem
The Classic Diner Mysteries
A Chili Death
A Deadly Beef
A Killer Cake
A Baked Ham
A Bad Egg
A Real Pickle
A Burned Biscuit
The Ghost Cat Cozy Mysteries
Ghost Cat: Midnight Paws
Ghost Cat 2: Bid for Midnight
The Cast Iron Cooking Mysteries
Cast Iron Will
Cast Iron Conviction
Cast Iron Alibi
Cast Iron Motive
Cast Iron Suspicion
Nonfiction
The Donut Mysteries Cookbook