Just the Dough, Hold the Nuts.

Yes you got it my friends! This is a post about one of my ole time favorite sweets. Doughnuts- or donuts, or faux-nuts, whateverrrrr you wanna call it, their delicious. And I have been loving them for a very long time. And as you know, my main goal with all recipes I create, is to not deprive myself of something I love, just make it better. In a healthier- mostly vegan way. :) And as you know I know- it's so easy. Try it! I'm telling you. Mui deliciouso! (I really need to take a spanish and or/italian class.) :/

As with everything, you have to start somewhere, and by starting I mean just getting into the kitchen with an open mind, would be the first step! Taking a leap, let your creative energy flow, and create! There is no greater feeling than the feeling of creation. I'm artistic person and love knowing I'm capable of creating anything I make up in my mind! Look around you, everything you see or touch, or use, what ever- it was made by one persons idea, and yes, a whole lot of other people help made it come true, but that one idea, was how it was initially created. Whats yours? 

Mine was these particular pumpkin maple baked donuts and a few holes. ;)

And a little history behind the name, if your as confused as I am... (for instance, where's the nut?) :s
"Doughnuts as we know them today originated in the mid-1800s. Their predecessor was the olykoek, a treat Dutch immigrants to the U.S. made by frying the leftover bits of bread dough in hot oil. Exactly how the name “doughnut” came to be used is the subject of some disagreement. According to some sources, the Dutch twisted their dough into knots, hence “dough knots”. Others point out that the olykoeken tended not to cook through in the very middle, so some makers would put nuts in the center (“dough-nuts”) to make them more palatable."

Oh ok! Now I get it. It always amazes me all you can find out after a little research. :o
By the way disregard my chipped pretty colored mint nail polish. I'll get right to fixing that ;)

Anywho- so enough jibber jabber, I know you wanna know how to make these scrumptious looking pumpkin baked donuts! By the way- there is about zero added sugar in the donuts. Amazing huh!? I think so. I really did it on this one! I hate the way I feel after I have had a high sugar content-in a dessert, like regular cake or anything really- the 'good stuff'. Makes my heart beat fast and I'm just not fond of the feeling. These donuts? Nope, no feeling but gooooodness. :) 

So here is how easy it is to make. Yes I will admit my sister did buy me a lovely donut pan, which is awesome I'll tell you. BUT the truth of the matter is- after receiving a donut pan, I made an effort to make some, obviously. But in all honesty, you could make them without the pan. All you have to have is a pair of scissors and a plastic bag. Once you combine wet and dry ingredients, place that mix into a plastic bag and cut off the tip of the corner of the bag, then squeeze out through that opening into donut pan, or any shape you'd like on a regular greased pan. See what I mean? No donut pan required. I made little donut balls as you can see with the left over mix that I didn't have room for in pan. You can make whatever shape you like, but it's quite easy to make the standard donut circle. :) Enjoy, it's pumpkin season yipeeeeeeee!

dry stuff:
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

wet stuff:
1 cup pumpkin (ooooh yeah ;)
1/4 cup Joseph's sugar free maple syrup
2 tbsp of Chia or Flax Seeds with 4 tbsp hot water (egg replacement)
1/4 cup earth balance 
1 tsp vanilla

::Preheat oven to 350.
Cook donuts for about 10 min, or until you can stick a tooth pick inside and it comes out clean. *While your cooking donuts it's best to make the glaze mix.

Maple Glaze:

2 tbsp Joseph's Sugar Free Maple Syrup
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp Organic Almond Milk

*Once donuts are done cooking, let them cool. Then once cool, dip them into the glaze.

Mhmmmm!