Updated Camping Kitchen

Our first trip of the summer was a little bit of a let down because the weather was pretty bad and we didn't get to cook much (quick tip: a screened in kitchen tent is really a good idea if all you have is a sleeping tent, really wish we had had one on this past trip).

Other things that I added to the kitchen box: 

1. Apple corer (for a specific recipe that I never got to try out)

2. Plastic trays from the dollar store

3. Twine (for a clothes line, that I also never got to put up since it was raining and our site didn't have good trees for a clothes line)

4. Picnic table tablecloth pinchers (dollar store, totally helpful to hold down the dollar store table clothes I also brought)

Like I said, we didn't cook too much over the fire, mostly we used the Coleman camping stove, but there wasn't anything I wanted but didn't have for the cooking on this trip, so I would say it was a success.

Celebratory Donuts

If you're in NYC, check out Doughnut Plant!

(And then report back! What flavor is this? How was it? Did they even have any left?)

Tobie's

What: Maple Roll, Chocolate Buttermilk Cake
Where: 405 Fire Monument Road, Hinckley, MN 55307
When: Sunday, May 24th, 2015
website

Tobie's is one of those massive complexes just off the interstate in an otherwise empty section of road that offers everything. Food. Gas. Gift shop. Car Wash. It's halfway between the Twin Cities and Duluth, which is apparently where everyone goes for long holidays. Not Duluth necessary, but "up north". Like how the people in Philadelphia go "down the shore."

We stopped in to check out their bakery section and were not disappointed. Look at this case! And the size of these cinnamon rolls!


My husband wanted the chocolate buttermilk and he convinced me to get the maple roll instead of the maple long john because he doesn't like fillings. Both donuts were COVERED in icing. I mean, it was good icing, but it was thick. I've been known to scrap icing off before, but that's hard to do when you're camping so I sucked it up and ate it. Every last bite.

     

I'd say 4/5 for both and I would definitely stop again if I'm ever in the area. Just don't go in the gift shop.

Donut art!

The apartment my husband and I are currently living in has the oldest, weirdest walls ever. I've barely gotten any nails to go into them, so we have a total lack of wall art at the moment. But I wanted to post this awesome print that I got for Christmas and am still looking for a frame for. Does it make you hungry too?

Yoyo Donuts

What: Maple Bacon, Chocolate raised 

Where: 5757 Sanibel Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55343

When: Friday, May 22nd, 2015

website

Yoyo Donuts had a great look from the outside, and the inside was nicely decorated. But something just seemed off. Like it was all for show. It reminded me of a smoothie place that opened down the street from me when I lived in Boston that only had one blender. Maybe they just moved spaces and hadn't totally unpacked.

We arrived around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, which isn't the best time for donut selection. They did have their maple bacon, which was mentioned in their online reviews. I prefer a plain maple, but I won't turn down a maple bacon (and hey, if the bacon is helping the maple gain some more popularity, I'm all for it!)

The donuts were standard, neatly frosted and tasting exactly as you would expect your standard donut to taste. My husband liked the bacon, probably because it was still slightly soft and he likes softer bacon than I do. I'd give them both 2/5.

North Country donut tour

This year my husband's company had to shut down extra days for building construction and we got 5 days off in a row. So, to take full advantage of them, we planned a crazy trip to Minnesota that involved some camping, some sight seeing, some beer tasting, and a lot of donuts.

My husband did most of the hard word, vetting various donut places and letting me know which ones were must see. I then compiled my favorites and researched hours so we wouldn't miss any. We still missed some. Tip: write down hours for every day, not just the day you might go! Also, call for hours if at all possible. Donut places' websites aren't always the most up to date. 

We made it to four of the five places I listed, missing out on Dozen Excuses because of timing. We also added Tobie's in Hinckley, MN. So many donuts...here are your teaser reviews:

Yoyo's: grocery story donuts in a hip setting

Tobie's: old fashioned bakery

Mojo Monkey: amazing flavor

Glam Doll: THE donut destination in Minneapolis

Conroy's Family Bakery

What: Maple cake, apple kolache, glazed donut hole, mini cinnamon roll, pecan roll
Where: 1600 Normandy Court, Lincoln NE
When: Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015

We're thinking about ordering a ton of donuts from Conroy's for our one year anniversary party (yeah, we're doing that. We didn't have a big reception so now we get to all go hang out in a state park and eat a lot of food. Don't be jealous.)

Therefore, I have to try every donut Conroy's makes. Right? Here is my selection from this week:

On the left is a "maple frosted" that I ate in the car because I was too hungry to wait. Sorry. The frosting was super fluffy though and not very maple-y so I was not convinced it was an actual maple cake donut. Still delicious though! I'd go with 3/5 as a maple cake donut, but 4/5 as a donut. Conroy's is one of our favorite local places.

On the right is the other randoms, including a glazed donut hole (if you can call it that), an apple kolache, a mini cinnamon roll, and a pecan roll (clockwise from top left if you didn't realize). They were all beyond amazing. The mini cinnamon roll was like just getting the center half of a normal roll, the part with all the brown sugar and cinnamon and butter goodness. We will definitely getting some more of those. 5/5 for sure.

The kolache was interesting. If you've never had a kolache (but you know about them because I've talked about them before, mainly here) they are a less sweet danish. This kolache however had a glaze on it (not like the drizzle glaze of a normal danish, but like the dipped glaze of a glazed donut). It was interesting. I'd say 3.5/5.

I didn't really eat the pecan roll besides a small bite of a corner that was pecan-less. I've grown ok with almonds and peanuts and cashews in trail mix. Not in my backed goods. Nope. Definitely no walnuts in fudge either. My husband loved it though, so we'll say he votes 4/5.

Donut Bar

Yesterday I mentioned the donut bar I put together for some friends and I figured I should give some more details so you guys can set up your very own! (Warning: this will feed a crowd, so you may not want to just set it up for you and your roommate unless you really want a sore belly!)

Supplies: (food)

Glazed or plain donuts (the plainer the better)

Chocolate Fudge Frosting

Maple Buttercream Frosting

Caramel Sauce

Peanut Butter Sauce

Crumbled chocolate sandwich cookies

Crumbled Bacon

Sprinkles

Sugary cereals

Peanuts

Chocolate Chips

Butterscotch Chips

Chocolate Mint Chips

Cherry Pie Filling

Cool Whip

Supplies: (non food)

Small slow cooker

Squeeze bottles

Tiny bowls/spoons for toppings

Plastic table cloth

Plates/knives/forks for eating

Recipes:

Chocolate Fudge Frosting

1/2 c butter, 1/3 c milk, 1/4 c cocoa powder, approx 1 lb powdered sugar

Heat everything but the sugar on the stove to a boil, stirring regularly. 

Stir while boiling for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat and beat in powdered sugar. 

Frosting sets fairly quickly, I made this ahead of time and transferred it to my slow cooker bowl to reheat right before starting the donut bar.

Maple Buttercream Frosting

3 T softened butter, 1/4 c cream, 1/2 lb powdered sugar, 2 T maple flavoring

Beat all ingredients together and refrigerate until needed. Frosts the best slightly cooler than room temp. Add more cream to make it softer or more powdered sugar to make it set firmer.

Caramel Sauce

5 T butter, 3/4 c brown sugar, 1/3 c cream, 1 t vanilla

Heat butter, brown sugar, and cream until it boils, stirring regularly.

Stir while boiling for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Let cool slightly and put in tupperware. Right before starting the donut bar, reheat in microwave until you can pour it easily. Funnel it into squeeze bottle.

Peanut Butter Sauce

1/4 c peanut butter, 1/8 c cream, 1 c powdered sugar.

Mix all ingredients together until desired consistency is reached. Funnel into squeeze bottle and refrigerate until needed.

My creation, in 4 parts: Chocolate frosting with caramel sauce, chocolate frosting with peanut butter sauce and cookie crumbles, maple frosting with caramel sauce, maple frosting with bacon crumbles. It was pretty awesome :-)

National Donut Weekend!

I know, it's National Donut DAY, but it turned into a whole weekend of fun! I figured I should recap it in all it's amazingness so you guys can be jealous.

Friday was actual National Donut Day and my husband and I spent the morning collecting donuts for free (or super cheap).

After work on Friday we had some friends over in two waves for Donut Happy Hour and tried out some donut themed cocktails.

Saturday started with a painting class at The Corky Canvas with some girlfriends. We got mimosas and donuts and were led through the steps to create this masterpiece:

Later on Saturday we met some friends and family at my favorite state park for a bbq. I tried out these campfire eclairs from the blog Happy Money Saver and they failed pretty miserably. But my friends were great sports about it and we experimented with different ways of cooking the crescent roll dough and just straight up grilling the donuts I brough.

And then this morning I got to live my dream of setting up a "Make Your Own Donut" Bar for a church group lunch. I brought some donuts that I froze on Friday plus frosings and glazes and toppings for everyone to personalize their own dream donut. It was delicious!

Very full weekend and now I need to go for a run. Work off all this sugar!

National Donut Day Celebrations

Gotta start the day with my donut socks!

Hot and fresh from LaMar's!

It was the best LaMar's I've ever had!

Apple fritter from Randy's, althogh my brother pointed out this wasn't actually a donut.

Not the biggest selection because we may have slept in a little bit.

Dozens of glazed from Russ's for celerations with friends and family today and tomorrow.

Starting donut happy hour!

Boston Creme Pie drink with donut vodka, vanilla ice cream and chocolate drizzle.

A friend hooked me up with a lovely bottle of this stuff.

A late friend showed up to help finish some donuts and remind us that vodka goes perfectly with cranberry juice. Delicious!

And ending with a fun picture from the Olathe, KS police department.

Happy Donut Day everyone!

ps - I had tried to collect pictures of my family with their favorite donuts, but I didn't get them collected in time so they may have to wait till next week to get up here. Sorry for the delay!

National Donut Day is coming up!

How is everyone planning to spend their National Donut Day this Friday? I'm planning a special treat for my 2 year blogiversary so watch for a special Saturday update this week! In honor of the day, Entenmann's is debuting a new patriotic donut and there are specials and deals going on all over the place!

As for free donuts, check out Dunkin Donuts (with beverage purchase), Krispy Kreme, LaMar's (they even have a countdown on their website to Friday!), or Shipley Do-Nuts for some yumminess!

And for the local favorites, after some brief research:
Doughnut Plant in NYC isn't doing anything (but they are now doing bike deliveries if you just want to stay in your pjs)
Dough is doing something, but wasn't sure what
The Doughnut Hole in Lincoln is doing a painting class with The Corky Canvas
Federal Donuts in Philly is bringing back a retired fancy donut based on Twitter voting
Dottie's Donuts in Philly will hopefully get back to me soon if they have any specials going on.

Anyone know of any other specials or deals?