Today is a busy day. I have a photo shoot scheduled at eleven. A meeting at the bank around two. There is no food in the house for lunch, which means I also need to squeeze a trip into Whole Foods between Lucy’s naps and are other engagements. On mornings like today, I wake up and struggle to remember what “free time” looked like in my life.
I’m not complaining because I feel blessed with a wide set of interests and passions. I’m happy I have such a rich circle of friends. But I am wondering: how do I foster stillness in my days? Because last night, after Ryan had fallen asleep, I held Lucy in my arms for what must have been an hour. She slept peacefully on my chest and I just watched the minute movements of rest: the twitch of an eyebrow, the gentle rise and fall of the torso, the sweet sucking of her lips. I need more moments like this, I thought to myself. No agenda. No plans. Just an hour to watch my daughter in all of the wonder of her childhood.
One thing that always slows me down is baking. I bake when I need time to decompress, to think, to grieve, to heal. On Tuesday, my eleven-year old niece came over after a rough day. I had spoken to my sister a few hours earlier, and so IÂ already knew the background of the situation. After several minutes of “talking it out,” I knew we needed to do something with our hands. We needed a physical activity that occupied both our bodies and our minds, allowing the uneasiness of the situation to take a back seat. And so we made these donuts. Somehow, with Lucy strapped on my chest, we found a way to make the dough, to cut the shapes, and then to fry the donuts. (I would have found this entirely impossible my first month of motherhood).
And friends, these cake doughnuts did us all good. They fry up beautifully (and this comes from a woman who as of two weeks ago was TERRIFIED of frying anything). These aren’t particularly sweet. The exterior is slightly caramelized and crunchy while the interior is both moist and dense. Exactly what you want from a cake doughnut. As with all fried food, these are best enjoyed the day, no the hour, they’re made. So perhaps Saturday or Sunday morning, you’ll find an hour or two to make a batch of homemade cake doughnuts. And if you do, I hope you love them as much as we do.
Cake Doughnuts
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup whole milk
4 cups all-purpose flour
Oil (for frying)
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs, milk, and melted butter. Beat until smooth. Add flour and stir with a large wooden spoon. The dough should be soft and sticky but firm enough to handle. If necessary, add an additional 1/2 cup flour). Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to chill for 30-60 minutes.
Remove dough from refrigerator and begin to heat about 1 inch of oil to 360 degrees Fahrenheit in a large metal skillet. You can tell oil is hot enough if a small piece of bread fries to a golden brown within ten seconds.
Working with half the dough at a time, roll it out on a floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut out circles using a doughnut cutter or one large and one small biscuit cutter. Gently drop the doughnuts into the hot oil (I fried about three at a time). Flip them over as they puff and turn them a few times as they continue to fry. They should reach a deep golden brown within 2-3 minutes.
Remove doughnuts with a slotted spoon and allow them to drip on a wire cookie rack (with paper towels beneath). If desired, you can douse them with cinnamon-sugar or a simple frosting (1 cup powdered sugar with 1-2 TBSP cream). Best enjoyed fresh.
I loved this post! The image of you folks unwinding in the kitchen and even managing to fry donuts with a sleeping babe in tow is just too beautiful. I really enjoyed reading your writing, as always 🙂 I can see why these donuts are so therapeutic. happy Friday, Monet!
awww you are amazing! Am amazing aunt, mother, and all around woman! And these doughnuts look absolutely fantastic!
I love how you use baking as I way to restore yourself. Isn’t it wonderful how these rituals can slow us down and provide precious processing time. When my eldest was born, I remember consciously capturing some of those quiet moments, watching him breathe as he slept. I still call those images up 16 years later ♡.
What a beautifully written post, and I find myself struggling to just turn things off and relax more. I remember holding my baby boys while they slept and it was always so peaceful that I could’ve stayed there forever! Baking is therapeutic for sure, and these cake donuts look like they could remedy anything! I don’t like frying much, but these look so delicious I’m willing to just that!
I never say no to a beautiful donut. These are beauties! DELICIOUS!
I echo Kayle’s comment – you are truly an amazing all-around woman, Monet. You always take so much time to care for and nurture everyone around you. These doughnuts would do the soul good. I can just imagine how peaceful it was in your kitchen, mixing together the ingredients and watching these doughnuts appear like magic in the frying oil. I’m taking your words to heart, Monet, because I feel like I never have time to simply sit, slow down, and savour life. Thank you for the reminder to foster some much needed stillness in my life.
Love this – I feel like I need more free / peaceful moments … and I don’t even have kids yet! Eek! lol Balance is such a constant struggle – life is full of mostly good things right now but it is so hard to balance everything! These donuts look delicious : ) Happy weekend friend!
Monet: Your baby daughter is absolutely precious! I still remember that time when mine would battle to go to bed. But fortunately things changes for better. Your baby will get used to a routine– you will see!
I love doughnuts. I would be happy to try these caky ones. They look fun and quite delicious.
Homemade doughnuts are the best. And baking totally slows me down too. Love this post, friend! xx
Time passes by so quickly , so enjoy your time with those who matter most. I cannot believe that my oldest is 11 already!!!!! where did the years go? but for sure it is filled with unforgettable moments. My kids love donuts so much – who doesn’t!!- they love the caky ones too, so this goes to my to do list:). Thanks Monet for sharing.
Baking always puts me at ease too. I think it is perfect therapy. Especially when you produce delicious doughnuts like these that you then get to eat!
they look like yummy doughnuts!
I use baking to decompress too. Such a wonderfully written post! And cake doughnuts never hurt either! I am terrified of frying things too…am I going to burn the whole building down? I don’t want to be *that* person! These scrumptious looking doughnuts might be worth the risk!
The best. Most meaningful conversations happen in the kitchen for me. Loving these doughnuts made straight from the heart.
Monet,
Your were a very nurturing woman before Lucy. but motherhood has made you bloom. It’s so inspiring to read your heartfelt words.
Baking has always been my therapy for many, many years. Now that we are selling our home, I need to bake, but I can’t mess up the kitchen. Somehow I will be baking soon.
Monet, these cake donuts look wonderful. I’m so glad to hear that you were able to use baking as a way to improve a difficult day for your niece. I’m sure she must appreciate your thoughtfulness, nurturing, and caring.
I’ve been away from your blog for TOO long. I can’t believe what I’ve missed. :]
Oooh, doughnuts are one of my weaknesses! These look lovely – love the sprinkles!
What a perfect way to fix a rough day! Your niece must have really enjoyed spending time with you and Lucy! The doughnuts look perfect!
I would certainly make the time to try these!
Baking is very peaceful for me too. I’ve been making a LOT of bread lately, and it’s been wonderful. 🙂 Your donuts look amazing. 🙂
I haven’t seen doughnuts made like this before (without a doughnut pan), but they look wonderful. And I love that you fried them. Well, why not? How wonderful as well that you were able to make them with your niece who it sounds like needed a little time out.
P.S. Beautiful clear photos!
Sometimes I look back at my “old life,” my “life before kid” and am amazed at how much I managed to fit into a day. Now it seems like I accomplish half as much in twice the time!
When I was that age anything with sprinkles cheered me right up! These doughnuts are absolutely gorgeous, I need to get over my fears and start frying!