Coffee, Doughnuts, & Cupcakes - Ahhh...

Seriously, just reading this title makes me smile. There is nothing I like more on a rainy day than curling up on the couch with a strong cup of coffee and a good book. Add to that a delicious doughnut and it's pure bliss. However, as this blog is all about cupcakes, we're gonna go a step further and put it all in an adorable treat that you can't tell your trainer about - Coffee and A Doughnut Cupcakes!

Now, this idea isn't mine. I'm not the first person to try it. In fact, it never ceases to amaze me the crazy ideas people have come up with for cupcakes. I came across a few pictures of this idea and was simply smitten. I have a doughnut glaze recipe that I've used before and, to be honest, have no idea where it originated from. My dilemma in planning this cupcake was which of my many cake recipes should I use? I started thinking it over and realized it was simple, really. One of my all-time favorite doughnuts is an Old Fashioned Sour Cream Doughnut and it just so happens that I have an amazing Sour Cream Pound Cake recipe that is reminiscent of that very treat. I'll be dipping these cupcakes into one of two glazes - chocolate or vanilla, icing them with a Mocha buttercream from Wilton ( happiness ), and then topping them with a delicious doughnut hole from a local doughnut shop where I live. I could've made my own doughnuts from scratch but this is a cupcake blog and why mess with perfection? Seriously, these doughnuts are unbelievable! If you're ever in central Florida, look up Donut King in Minneola and you won't be disappointed!

The results? I'm a fan! It definitely had the flavors of the classic coffee/doughnut combination. I was worried about using a pound cake recipe for cupcakes but it worked fabulously and once again reminded me how much I love this pound cake recipe. So good! A few notes on the icing and glazes. For the buttercream, be sure to use quality coffee that you like to drink. It will make a difference. A coworker of mine said it was delicious and that she wouldn't change a thing about it! When you make the vanilla glaze, add the milk a little at a time. You won't need the full amount but, unfortunately, I can't tell you exactly how much you will need because I did add it all at once and had to add more sugar - not fun! I don't think I need to comment on the doughnuts. You use your favorite for the toppers and there won't be anything to complain about! Do try this cupcake because one, I think you'll be pleased and two, they just look so darn cute!




A funny side-note to make you feel better about mistakes in the kitchen. I was happily mixing away and got the first batch of cupcakes in the oven then immediately started cleaning up my mess. I looked to my left and saw the baking soda and vanilla sitting there when it dawned on me. I didn't add these two IMPORTANT ingredients!! I ran to the oven and pulled the cupcakes out. Thankfully, they hadn't started baking yet and I was able to squeeze the batter back into the bowl and fix it. How dumb did I feel? The moral of this story: always read back over the recipe and mentally check off the ingredients! It just goes to show that no matter how long you've been baking, accidents can always happen - to anyone, at anytime! I hope that sharing this with you makes you laugh! I did....afterward. :) As always, happy reading and, more importantly, happy cupcake-ing!

Sour Cream Pound Cupcakes:

3 c flour                              6 eggs    
3 c granulated sugar        1/4 t baking soda
1 c butter                            1 t vanilla
8 oz sour cream

Cream sugar and butter and add eggs 2 at a time. Add flour one cup at a time alternately with sour cream. Add baking soda and vanilla and pour into cupcake liners. Bake at 325*.


Chocolate Doughnut Glaze:

3/4 c powdered sugar
2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 T milk
1 t vanilla

Combine dry ingredients and slowly add liquid, whisking until smooth. May need a little more milk to think for dipping.


Vanilla Doughnut Glaze:

1 1/2 c powdered sugar
1/4 t vanilla
1/3 c milk

Mix all ingredients until smooth.
*This recipe is adapted from The Pioneer Woman at http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/02/homemade-glazed-doughnuts/