I think it will come as no surprise, that hosting events and parties for family and friends is one of my favourite hobbies. Be it Christmas, a birthday or some other party, I really do enjoy all the planning, decorating and cooking that is required (much to Mr BBB’s frustration lol). 
Last year, Mr BBB and I hosted our first Christmas in our new family home, with a flurry of decorating and baking taking place before the big day. You can find all of my 2010 Christmas Countdown posts below:
- How to plan the perfect Christmas menu
- How to be a stress-free host
- It’s a wrap
- Getting crafty (homemade bonbons)
- Oh Christmas Tree
- Feeling Saucy: Cherry Port Sauce
- Room at the Inn
- Truffle time
- To market she did go
This year, we are spending Christmas with my family in Melbourne. Christmas Eve will be with family and friends in Melbourne, Christmas Day with my Mum and little brother, and Boxing Day with my Dad in rural Victoria. And, although we are planning on keeping it pretty low key, I wanted to put together a basket of homemade sweet treats and other nibbles to take down with me – to share amongst our guests at the various parties and mealtimes. I also have a few functions this week that call for a plate of treats to be provided. And so my 5 days of Homemade Holiday Treats begins! 
That’s right – 5 days of nothing but sugar and sweetness on BBB! I think I should probably give my dentist a call now 
Starting with…. 
Gingerbread doughnuts! aka. a tasty little treat to take to a work morning tea. Just whisk the dry. 
Add the wet. 
Stir to a batter. 
Pipe… 
Bake… 
And glaze. 
And serve. 
I am loving the baked variety of this normally-fried treat. 
These took only 10 minutes in the oven, a few minutes to glaze, making them a morning tea that you can throw together quite easily. 
They will keep overnight in an airtight container, but they really are best eaten on the day they are made. 
Delish! Gingerbread doughnuts (makes 12 large) (adapted from Pinch of Yum)
- 2 cups spelt (use GF plain flour to make these GF)
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1tbs ground ginger
- 1tbs ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 3 tbs maple syrup
- 50ml milk
- 50g melted butter
Glaze
- 30g butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 40ml milk
- 1 cup icing sugar
- Preheat oven to 180C. Grease 2 x 6 hole large doughnut pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Make a well in the Centre.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. Pour into the dry ingredients, and stir until just combined.
- Spoon into a piping bag, and pipe into doughnut tins (to about 3/4 full).
- Bake for 10 –12 minutes. Allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack.
- To make the glaze – melt the butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan over a low heat. Add the milk, and heat (stirring) for 1 minute. Add the icing sugar, and whisk to combine until smooth and glossy.
- While warm, pour the glaze over the doughnuts.
What about you? Are you more of party planner or a party goer?
I loveee your table setting! It's beautiful..and the baked doughnut idea is fantastic. I always find them to be too oily and rich but baked would be a lot better and healthier too. 🙂
Sheer gorgeousness! Your blog and this lovely post should be entered on the blog hop!
Gingerbread + donuts is a combination I've never thought of. I love the look of these though and am sold on the idea – both the baked preparation and the gingerbread flavour. Now I just need some donut pans 🙂
I wish I could find a doughnut pan in Australia!
i want that pan! these look fabulous and i love gingerbread – i've made three house so far this year 🙂
Oh my heavens! I *have* to try these in my mini doughnut pan! Gorgeous, Lisa!
Ha! At first I thought you were going to give us the planning Christmas dinner guide for pregnant women 🙂
Glad you will be able to take it easy – we have lots of baking here and the sugar is coming thick and fast – I really need some salty chips – had cross words with e over donuts tonight – I think we would both be happy with these
Yum, I've been dying for a donut pan!
I really want to be a party planner, but it stresses me out too much. So instead I try to be the best party goer possible. 🙂
aah, i've been wanting to make more doughnuts, but haven't had a chance. too many things on my list too little time 😉 this should move to the top, though!
Oh yummy. And Kevin just bought a mini donut tin when we were in Canberra :-). Looking forward to seeing the rest of the treats. I've do NO baking this year – being busy, having sore feet and going away for Christmas has seen me being VERY lazy in the kitchen. I even bought all our desserts last weekend – something I never do :-(. I'll be tucking your ideas away for a later date 🙂
Lovely! I'll see if I can find a Christmas elf to make me some, I was wondering what to have for breakfast while everyone else chows down on their gluten filled croissants- I bet they'll be jealous!
I love the idea of 5 days of homemade holiday treats. I always bring homemade food to parties!
And I'm definitely more of a party goer. I love having people over but we never have all of our family/friends around enough at one time to do anything special…although we did do Thanksgiving this year and it was a success!
Wow those really do look delicious! I will be keeping an eye open for one of those baking trays and your table setting really is gorgoeus!
Those look sooo delicious! I love doughnuts
Thanks for sharing the recipe.
damn lady, these look goooooood!!
Heidi xo