Lemon Butter Donuts

I overheard a conversation between 2 young men the other day. One asked the other if he'd "tried talking to her telepathically". He replied that he "couldn't get close enough to use his powers".

This conjured up some weird images for me of these 2 young men (they were in their early 20's) at a bar trying to edge their way close enough to a pretty girl so they could use their telepathy to send pick up lines (It really gives a new meaning to the come on "are you made of dynamite cause you just blew my mind"!). It sounded really creepy; how does the pretty girl turn down her would be suitor if she can't throw a drink in his face?

Turns out they weren't trying to infiltrate the minds of poor unsuspecting women. They were talking about a video game and they were not young men, but a Wizard and a Hunter. I had not immediately thought they were gaming nerds as we were in the gym at the time and they were sporty looking types, as opposed to the runty, nerds I assume are the only ones to be gamers.

Looks I made some sweeping generalisations about stereotypes and got it wrong (although how interesting would it make a Saturday night if telepathy was a pick up technique...as opposed to sleaze!).

Generalisations and stereotypes exist in the food world too, especially when it comes to healthy and alternative foods. People assume that you are weird for making healthier food choices, when in fact it is they who are truly mad for knowingly eating food that will make them less healthy! At a restaurant the waiters will roll their eyes at you as you probe them to find out every small detail about the ingredients and at the supermarket you spend more time looking at labels (and returning the packets to the shelves in disgust!) than you do finding food you can eat.

Not everyone who chooses to eat, and not eat, certain foods is crazy, weird, telepathic, strange etc. Often there's a medical reason and without vigilance sickness can follow. Just because you choose healthy doesn't mean you have to go without.

These Lemon Butter Donuts are a great alternative to store bought donuts. They use the Lemon Butter from last week and the addition of extra lemon juice and zest give it a real tangy kick. The frosting of these Lemon Butter Donuts is quite thick and coconut flavoured. Feel free to leave the donuts plain, drizzle them with chocolate or even smother them in lemon curd!

LEMON BUTTER DONUTS
Makes 8
INGREDIENTS
1/4 Cup Lemon Butter (at room temperature)- see below for recipe
1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
2 Eggs
1/3 Cup Milk (of Choice)
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
3/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
dash of Bicarb
1/3 Cup Coconut Flour
Dash of Salt

Optional:
Lemon Frosting (see recipe below)
Poppy or Chia Seeds

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 210C/420F.
Spray a donut pan. If. You don't have a donut pan a cake pop pan, small bundt pan or little muffin tray may also work but cooking times may vary.

In the bowl of a kitchen stand mixer (all these steps can also be done by hand with a spoon and a mixing bowl) beat the lemon butter and maple syrup until combined.
Add the eggs and beat in medium until combined. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl 1/2 way through beating to ensure it all gets mixed in.
Add the milk, juice and zest and beat until combined.
In a separate bowl, sift the dry ingredients together.
Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and beat until the mixture is combined and fluffy (about 1 minute).

Transfer the mixture to a piping bag/freezer bag and cut a medium size hole in the corner.
Re spray donut pan. These donuts tend to stick to the pan so over grease!!
Pipe the donut mixture into 8 donuts.
Immediately place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
Allow the donuts to cool in the tray for at least 10 minutes before removing.
The donuts can be frosted once cooled.

LEMON FROSTING
INGREDIENTS
4 Tablespoons Coconut Oil,softened
2 Tablespoons Desiccated Coconut
1/2-1 teaspoon Lemon Juice (depending on taste)
1/4 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
Optional: Maple Syrup to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
Place the coconut oil, coconut, lemon juice and vanilla in a bowl and stir, stir, stir until mixed together.
Taste the frosting and add extra lemon juice or maple syrup as desired.
Spread onto cooled donuts.
Sprinkle with poppy seeds or chia seeds.

LEMON BUTTER
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Cashews
1 1/2 Cups Desiccated Coconut
1/2 Cup + 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
1 Tablespoon + 2 teaspoon Lemon Zest
2 teaspoons Maple Syrup
Optional: dash of Vanilla Extract

INSTRUCTIONS
Place all ingredients into a high powered blender and process until a smooth paste forms.
Place the lemon butter in a sealable container/jar.
The Lemon Butter will need to be at room temperature when using as a spread or in a cookie/donut recipe.