virginia vacation

last week i had the pleasure of going to virigina for a lil' vacation.
while running around having fun, i managed to find some good stuff!

i always try to check out thrift stores while i'm in any town. you never know what you'll find!

this trip i managed to find an unused(!!!) hamilton beach donut maker for 5 bucks. amazing! it came in the original packaging (looked like the 70's) which i unfortunately didn't take a picture of and threw away to save room for my trip home.

this is the only similar image i found of it on the internet, it really is that old!!

(sorry so tiny)

i did manage to rip off the instructions on the box though
(makes two MAN SIZED donuts heh heh)

on my adventures, i also checked out an organic food store in virginia beach, that had locally baked, gluten free vegan friendly goodies for sale!! and to my surprise, they were all really good!!
i bought the zucchini bread muffin, banana bread muffin, and chocolate sunflower rice bar.
they were all reasonably priced, fresh, and filling! i checked out the website of the baker, unfortunately no pictures, but she ships her treats anywhere in the US!! made in a dedicated gluten free kitchen, yay!
check her stuff out at pasqualina's gluten free goodies


ok. back to the donuts. when i returned to new york it was the first thing i did. holy crap. mmmm donuts. i'm leaving you all with a recipie for plain cake donuts. they can be altered for your taste buds (add chocolate, coconut, jelly, etc.) and you don't have to have a donut maker for em. simply bake in a muffin pan. the taste remains the same.

Gluten free vegan donuts
makes around 12 donuts (or cupcakes)

• 1 cup almond or coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon vinegar (apple cider works best)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 1/2 cup white rice flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar (doesn't have to be dark, i just like the molasses like flavor)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• confectioners' sugar

PREHEAT the oven to 350 F
combine the milk, vinegar, and cornstarch and set aside.
sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.
making sure cornstarch is dissolved, add the first mix to the flour mixture.
add the oil, sugar, and vanilla.
stir until all is mixed well.

if using a muffin tray, fill with batter about three-quarters full.
if you wish to turn them into jelly donuts, add a heaping spoonful of your favorite jelly on the center of each cupcake. the baking will do the rest.
if you wish to make chocolate cake donuts, simply add about 1/3 cup cocoa powder to the mix.
you can also get creative adding other ingredients (for some i added coconut to the batter, some i added on top) like fruit and nuts (mmm blueberry donuts!)

bake for 20-25 minutes
let cool, then sprinkle with confectioners' sugar

delicious!!!