Smoked Sea Salt Kissed Maple Donuts
Do you love Valentine’s Day?
Yeah, me neither.
When I was a kid, it only reinforced how completely not popular I was with the fellas. I’d tear through my Valentines box at school, scouring each flimsy little pre-written card for the one that might just hold a message cryptic enough it could possibly mean that the boy that gave it to me actually liked me. “Like” liked me.
Nope. All I ever got were clearly platonic statements like “Bee My Friend” with the very unambiguous Conversation Heart “Chill Out” taped to the front.
No, you “Chill Out,” Brian P.
When I was first married, Valentine’s Day meant trying to one-up your new spouse on the perfect gift to show how deeply in love you are. Pea Daddy got me a vacuum.
He won.
Now Valentine’s Day is all about helping the girls make Valentine’s for their 42 classmates.
That’s a lot of construction paper, scissors, glue and witty sayings to come up with. “Bee my friend?”
Valentine’s Day is about wondering how we are going to possibly get a date night or even just five minutes alone when our babysitters are vacationing in Hawaii for their wedding anniversary. How selfish can parents be?
Valentine’s Day means taking every precaution necessary to keep the girls from finding out that there is a Calliou Valentine’s Day special on next week.
Don’t make me pull out the sprinkles, girls.
As for Pea Daddy, I can’t help but think he was coveting the bacon maple bar from Voodoo Doughnuts on our last trip to Portland. Maybe his nose pressed to the case and his breath fogging up the glass gave it away.
Well, this is just like that.
Only nobody died.
Smoked Sea Salt Kissed Maple Donuts
Makes 12 donuts
Donuts:
- 1 c. unbleached flour
- 1/2 c. whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 T. baking powder
- 1/4 t. salt
- 1/2 t. nutmeg
- 1/4 c. melted vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance) or coconut oil
- 3/4 c. non-dairy or organic milk
- 1/2 t. vanilla extract
- 2/3 c. organic sugar
Maple frosting:
- 2 T. brown sugar
- 1/4 c. vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance)
- 1 c. powdered sugar
- 1 t. maple extract
- 1-2 T. non-dairy or organic milk
- smoked sea salt and/or sprinkles
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, combine flours, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.
In a small bowl (or just in your liquid measuring cup), combine melted margarine, milk, vanilla and sugar. Mix until sugar has dissolved.
Add milk mixture to flour mixture and stir until just combined.
You’ll need a donut pan, but a muffin tin will suffice in a pinch. I’ve seen the donut pans at Target lately, though my friend Deb picked up this heart donut pan for me. She’s so romantic.
Pipe or spoon batter into a donut pan that has been lightly greased or sprayed with cooking spray.
Like a couch cushion, don’t worry about if it’s perfect. Only one side has to look good.
Bake for 11-13 minutes or until donuts are firm to the touch. Allow donuts to cool in pan for approximately 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
For the frosting, beat together brown sugar, margarine, powdered sugar and maple extract. Add as much milk as need to get the desired consistency.
Frost your donuts generously.
This is where the magic happens.
You can find this smoked sea salt at Trader Joe’s but many specialty shops will have smoked salt if you can’t get your hands on this one. It’s a great addition to your spice cupboard as it gives an incredible smoky and almost “bacony” flavor to anything you put it on.
Like maple frosted donuts.
If you can’t find smoked salt, even just regular coarsely ground sea salt would be wonderful.
As would pink sprinkles.
For the girls.
Or so I thought.
Pea Daddy walked right in from work, barely said hello and had half a pink sprinkled donut in his mouth.
He said, “These are the best donuts you’ve ever made.”
Only his mouth was full so crumbs were falling out of his face and it sounded and awful lot like he said “For Valentine’s Day, you should go get yourself a mani/pedi and a massage.”
Will do.
And while I’m gone, I know just the present he can use to pick up those crumbs.
Yeah, no thanks to Valentine’s Day, but I will definitely take some doughnuts! Even after being married for almost 17 years, I could care less about a forced commercialized holiday that says you have to say you love me with chocolates and flowers. How about we say I love you all the time? Although, a mani/pedi and massage would be good right about now…
The doughnuts look delicious Sarah.
I don’t think we are doing a stinkin’ thing for V-day, and that’s just fine by me
Ok, here is Australia I can’t even find REGULAR donut pans, never mind heart shaped ones! If promise to sneak into your house and steal all of PD’s Tommy Bahama shirts, will you please send me some pans?
Oh, and a donut or two wouldn’t hurt, either
Can you imagine the shipping?!
**Here IN Australia – my fingers were ahead of my brain!
Tada! Here is Australia! (Sorry, I should be thanking you not picking – you made me smile and I needed that this stinky Friday arvo
)
Depending on where in Aus you are The General Trader (http://www.generaltrader.com.au/) sells doughnut pans. I think they’re Baker’s Secret so they should be available in most Myer’s too.
CheezyK! You are amazing, and I can handle a bit of picking! I never thought of looking in Myer. This is my weekend mission
Hope your Friday arvo gets less stinky!
These sound fantastic! I am loving anything maple right now so these are calling my name. I guess a Trader Joes trip is mandatory to get that smoked sea salt-or at least, that’s my excuse!
I’ve been adding a 1/4 t. of maple extract to my almond milk and drinking it at night. Oh yum!
Hahaha, this post really made me laugh! I visited Portland briefly a couple years ago and am SO glad I stopped by Voodoo Doughnuts, even though the line was wrapped around the corner! I have to say, though, yours look just as good, and the flavor combination sounds amazing. Sweet + salty gets me every time
I keep trying to think of excuses to go to Portland to go back to Voodoo. Amazing donuts.
Very excited to make these!!
anyway to reduce the fat of these beauties? Applesauce, perhaps? Thank you for the donut recipe!
You could definitely sub in some applesauce, but considering there’s only 1/4 c. of fat in the batter, it wouldn’t be too bad nutritionally speaking. Maybe do 1/2 and 1/2?
Thank you for replying! I’m just really bad. If I make something like this for myself and I don’t make some Pastry Deliveries (people loves those, Omnivores included!), I’ll eat them all in a week. And I think we both know I mean a day. again, thanks so much!
These look AMAZING! I remember rooting through my valentines hoping for one that said something romantic, and how much thought I would put into the card I gave my elementary crush of the moment. Its so exciting Gigi and Lulu get to experience that now! I hope you and Pea Daddy have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Did he really get you a vacuum for Valentine’s Day? I hope it was a Dyson Ball vacuum!
It wasn’t a Dyson. But we really did need a vacuum. And it came with roses
So, when I’m in P-town in March, i’d like a dozen of these please, with a side of you, Gigi, and Lulu, ok?
Yes! And I don’t think we are going anywhere for Spring Break.
Love this post. Yay for Singleness Awareness Day!
Ha ha…I’ve never heard it called that before!
Yeah, I first heard a friend call it that in college, back when she was single. But then she became the first of my friends to get married. I do not appreciate her lack of loyalty to S.A.D.
Seriously. What a quitter.
Oh my goodness – I have been waiting for this day. The day of maple frosted donuts =) I miss the day of making shoe boxes into decorative mail boxes that kids can dump the valentines into, those were the days where valentines day meant something to me. It meant, this is so cool I get to decorate a shoe box like a mail box! If I make a pretty shoe box into a mail box and stick it on my porch do you think I could get heart shaped maple frosted donuts stuffed in it?
Not likely, but you have been to Voodoo, right?
Oh heck yes. Will you be MY valentine!?
Finally, somebody asked.
I don’t think I’ve ever wished for a gluten-filled item more. Sure, I could figure out some way to use some sort of gluten-free mixture, but I’m not that cool. These just look plain awesome. Maple frosted doughnuts are the best! And you should totally get that mani-pedi, so I can vicariously relax with you. I hate manis and I’ve never had a pedi because I think I’d hate them too. I’ll take the relaxing though. Ahhhhhh
I thought about making them gluten-free, I promise. But I’m all out of rice flour and this was pretty easy. Next time!
You’re a busy lady, so I’m impressed when you manage to make anything, let alone make it gluten-free!
Oh my goodness you just took them to another level with that sea salt! Yummy!
I LOVE salty and sweet so much!
Oh you did not! But you did, guess I just have to make these now! and I already have all of the ingredients on hand. This is going to be a sinful valentines day weekend indeed.
Oh yes, please make these. They are stellar.
These look amazing Sarah! -and you are so right about Valentine’s Day ; )
Thanks, Julie! Hope your pizza making is coming along fabulously!
This will be another winner, I can tell!
I’ve already been to Target twice today but it’s worth going again tomorrow to find myself a donut pan.
I haven’t even used my donut pan yet and there’s already heart-shaped variations! I’m always a decade behind on coolness. Sweet and savory is where it’s at. Smoked sea salt sounds right up my alley! YUM!
I hated V-Day in school. So glad those days are over!
This should be your first donut! Christen that pan right.
This post is SOOO funny! You make me laugh, Mama Pea – thank you (I really needed a laugh today).
Also, the donuts look and sound amazing! You totally deserve that mani/pedi and massage!
Glad you got your laugh for the day. Hope tomorrow is better!
Oh yummy! I hated those dumb Valentines during grade school. I never got special messages!
For the doughnuts, how much baking powder? I need to make ‘em pronto!!
My mistake, thank you! I’ve updated the recipe to reflect 1 T. of baking powder in the donuts.
Hey! These look amazing! My boy is into maple as of late as well! LOVE the smoked salt idea. Glad you get a little spa day Mama
You got in on the heart-shaped donut pan action…love it! I have a whoopie pie pan, donut pan, mini donut pan, and heart-shaped molds, but didn’t break down and buy the heart shaped donut pan….yet
Great lookin’ donuts!
Okay I just laughed out loud all by myself at the last few lines of this post. You are hysterical. I got a vacuum for my birthday once from Andrew.
Love the couch cushion comment. I’ve got to get myself a donut pan pronto.
Don’t ever look under the cushions of my couch. I don’t care if you dropped your glasses. Consider them gone forever.
Your posts are amazing. I love how you always tie in the last line. I don’t know how to come up with it.
It’s a curse.
Love this post! So funny, so cute:) yep go get that mani/pedi/massage…you deserve one every week I say:) enjoy your weekend!
hahahaha, I bet that is what he said
Love your posts and I love this recipe. I use my smoked sea salt for nearly everything. Wonderful with anything chocolate, I must say.
Oooh, agreed. On a chocolate smoothie? AWESOME.
I never thought to use smoky with sweet. SO glad no one died for these.
(especially after I visited my CSS farm yesterday. The farmer’s daughter was brushing their new baby milk cow and putting bows in her “hair” and feeding the pigs.)
Love the heart shapes! I just posed this week about Banana Doughnuts and it’s so fun because it’s really just banana bread but when it’s in the shape of a doughnut it feels so much more fun to eat!
Oh the joys of elementary school valentine’s day. Lucky for me, I still get to relive it each and every year as a teacher. The flavors on these sound incredible!!
how did you KNOW smoked sea salt from TJs is my favorite?! i should probably stop grinding it straight into my mouth. wish i was kidding. these are like my dream donuts!
Oh my goodness, you know exactly what I’m talking about then. I put that salt on everything…including smoothies. I know, I have problems.
i kind of feel the need to shout from the rooftops that TRADER JOE’S IS FINALLY COMING TO COLORADO!!!
whew.
sorry to be so loud. i just got a little excited when i saw the sea salt
They are? Congrats!!!!
I LOVE that donut pan!! Are the girls bringing these in to school with their Valentines? If so, I bet they’ll get a record amount of Valentines, with all the boys in their classes wanting to Bee Their Friends!
I hope your mani/pedi is booked!
I don’t think they can bring homemade food to school, but we have something else up our sleeves.
Oh holy heck those look good!!!! I am not a donut person but this has me reconsidering. Would it hurt to make the batter ahead of time and have it in the fridge? My idea is to get up for my 4AM workout per usual BUT, instead of working out, I will bake up these donuts for my husband while he is getting his last hour of sleep. (although, this is quite an ambitious plan…me operating mixers and trying to frost something while wiping sleep out of my eyes…)
I’ll bet I could also take your sugar cookie doughball recipe (can’t remember the name…it was Christmas two years ago maybe?) and convert them into smoked sea salt maple balls…
Now that sounds genious.
Yummy! Pinned these to try. I got a donut pan for Christmas so have been a donut making fool. Hubby and the kids aren’t complaining
They so feel like they are getting away with something. Love it!
You are the master of food transformation!!
*Adds smoked sea salt to shopping list.* I’m sure I’ll find other uses for it, but worst comes to worst, I’ll just makes loads of batches of these ingenius donuts
It’s awesome on green beans!
I was the same way in school w/ Valentine’s. Hated it. Then in high school, they came up with these “secret admirer” treats you could send to someone. NEVER got one. I was always hopeful though. Then you could send balloons to your loved one on their birthday. Never got those either. Except one year my friends and I decided to buy each other balloons for our birthday. It was so sweet. Boys were overrated anyway.
The donuts look GREAT.
P.S. got a laundry basket AND vacuum for Christmas from my hubby. I’m in love
You struck the jackpot, girl.
I forgot about that torturous Secret Admirer thing. I did actually get one in my junior year and I still don’t know who it was. Yeah, that was totally effective.
Those look so delicious. You’ve inspired me to start using the fancy smoked sea salt my mom gave me for Christmas.
I am not a big fan of Valentines Day—or conversation hearts. In high school, I broke up with a guy after he gave me two “please don’t break up with me for real” hearts that said, “Pick Me” and “Hug Me.”
My explanation? “They’re both commands. No.” Also, he was a controlling jerk. And it was almost May. Conversation hearts in May? Come on…
Oh my gosh, awesome story.
These look fantastic!!! Not a big fan of Valentines Day, either, so I’m spending it with my friends, lots of chocolate, and some Bridget Jones! I think it’ll be a good day
Oooh, I forgot about Bridget Jones. Great movie!
heart donut pans?!?!?! I want!!! and if they came with these donuts pre-made inside I’d be even happier:):):)
hahaha i love reading your posts, you are so cute. Valentine’s Day is like New Years Eve for me…so much hype, you almost always feel let down. At least it’s an excuse to eat chocolate
Oh don’t even get me started on New Years’ Eve…
I just saw those maple-bacon Voodoo donuts highlighted on the Cooking Channel. I thought it was sort of brilliant, and felt just a little sad that I will never try them since I don’t eat bacon (and live nowhere near Portland). But these are such a fantastic idea! For Valentine’s Day I want a donut pan and some smoked sea salt!
I hope you get your Valentine’s wish!
another fun thing to add to my spice collection! have you tried the smokey african blend? its my favorite!
what a cute donut pan too. i love any sweet and salty combo!
No, I haven’t! I’l have to pick that up!
I have been meaning to pick up a doughnut pan for the longest time! I mean, years! I am going to get one this weekend, dangit.
Yep, that definitely sounded like get a mani/pedi and massage from where I was reading.
Oh and I love the comparison to the couch cushion. “Only one side has to look good.”
Nordic Ware makes some really cute baking pans. They’re usually pretty pricey ($40+) but I’ve found them at TJ Maxx for less than $20 before. Apparently, no one else wants to bake caterpillar shaped cupcakes.
This is great timing, as I was looking for another donut recipe and an excuse to use my donut pan this weekend! Can’t wait to try these!
Ha! Hilarious.
And, of yeah, YUM!
Thanks for the laugh, per the usual. I swear you don’t even need to include a recipe & I would still be reading these everyday. I have everything to make these except the pastry flour, do you think they would be OK without it?
Thanks, Sarah. Yes, I’d just use all all-purpose flour then. Good luck!
Thanks! I’m going to try them this weekend.
These sound good! Do you think you could sub maple syrup for the brown sugar in the frosting? Don’t have any maple extract…
And the Smoked Sea Salt is made of awesome. That and the Flower Pepper from TJ’s I use all the time. On everything.
Yes, you’d just need to use more powdered sugar to make up for the extra liquid. Good luck!
What a great idea to bring a smoky flavor to a vegan dessert!
I remember the days of elementary school valentines myself and just like you, I always hoped for a cryptic message from a boy that never came. This year, my bf and I are going to New York a week later and considering that our Valentine’s day gift to each other.
Oh fun! Have an awesome trip!
A vacuum for Valentine’s Day? That is downright romantic compared to the toilet I got for my birthday one year!
We kind of need a new toilet…
Wow exotic flavour and so adorable! I feel kinda bad that I’m probably the only person with nothing heart-shaped up on my blog yet…. !
Your posts are so hilarious. They get me every time.
Love the flavor combo! And adore that heart shaped donut pan!! Too cute
That’s a lot of adjectives for some lil’ doughnuts! … must be a sign of a good treat : )
I am shopping for donut pans right now and have been weighing my options of heart shaped versus round…MAN decisions are tough. I need a friend like Deb
These are fantastic donuts and I am sure they have made Pea Daddy quite happy.
However I am NOT happy to hear that Caillou has a special on…that little bald freak (I mean kid) drives me CRAZY!
You don’t want to know how many times I had to watch that Calliou Holiday movie. It mysteriously disappeared from our DVR…
I never thought to use smoked salt in place of bacon. That’s pretty brilliant.
Thanks! I try. Rarely succeed, but I try.
Umm. I think I just had an inappropriate reaction to the yum factor here. *wipes sweaty brow* Marvelous.
Wow! those donut look delicious!
I made your butternut squash fries and they were delicious!! I also sprinkled half of them with the curry spice mix you suggested in the book and they were amazing! I love the book!!
Thank you Mama Pea!! Have a wonderful weekend
Then you’ll love the next one too!
Thanks so much. I hope you have a great weekend too.
Hahaha! that’s awesome!
And as I expected, I’m craving those donuts even though I don’t really like donuts. I think i’ll have to give THESE a chance though.
I’ve never heard or had smoked sea salt. I’ll have to check it out at TJ’s the next time I’m there.
These looks great! Mine will have to be plain ol’ donuts since I don’t have a friend named Deb.
You should have a friend named Deb. She’s awesome.
Hmmm… so you think a muffin tin with maybe a balled up piece of aluminum foil might make a somewhat of a small doughnut shape? I may just have to give this a try.
That’s a thought! I would think a marble might be better than a balled up piece of foil.
My boyfriend loves donuts! This will make him so happy! Except for, I do not have donut pans and he’s like a kid. If I make it in a muffin pan, he will think they’re muffins. Is the batter thick enough to be held by hand and shaped?
No, sadly, it’s not. Tell him they’re donut muffins
I think vday is just a good excuse to make these donuts, in which case I TOTALLY endorse it
Yeah I’m not a massive fan of Valentines day either… I could get on board with those donuts though!! They look delicious!
Hi! Firstly I love your Blog title. I love peas!!! Secondly, how badly do I want to eat a heart shaped donut right now!!! Thirdly, I love salty sweet combos, too too pleasurable for my waistline…
Thanks! Thank you for saying hello.
They look delicious! I love maybe donuts and I love that they are in the shape of hearts
maybe* maple
haha, yes, I love maple donuts! Not maybe donuts
This is my first comment, but I had to write something after literally cracking up over this post. The “no, you chill out Brian P.” just got me. Thanks for the laugh this morning
p.s. the donuts, of course, look De-lish
Okay, I speak from experience. Hit Voodoo with the fam last weekend. Made these amazing maple doughnuts this weekend. You win. It’s true. Thanks for a great recipe!
Ha ha, no way! Awesome!
I am going out to get that smoked salt shaker. My husband loves sea salt. He has yet to realize it is different than table salt and you do not need to use the same amount. He is learning….slowly. Maybe this will make him think that I am actually using bacon.
This year I got a really cute bowl for myself online. When it arrived I showed it to him and said this is my Valentine’s day gift. I love it!
I have GOT to buy a donut pan!!! On my list!!
“No, you chill out Brian P.” You never fail to make me laugh out loud. I love that your husband bought you a vacuum for Valentine’s Day! haha and those donuts look fantastic!
This recipe looks amazing! I can’t wait for your second book, hopefully this last month of prep isn’t too stressful! if that’s possible : )
Is this the one inspired by the donut at the ferry building? Obviously I am still thinking about that one.
Thanks for the recipe.
I had a blueberry and a mushroom one there, but now that you mention it, this tastes a lot like that mushroom one!
mushroom donut? sounds kind of weird actually. savory style?
Nope, it was sweet!
These are divine! Is it overkill that I’m planning to go straight out after work and pick up a heart-shaped baking pan?
BTW, I recieved your cookbook in the mail after ordering it online (I live in Australia) and after squealing quietly to myself and sitting down with a cup of coffee to go through it cover to cover, I have a list of things to cook from it that will last weeks and weeks! Thank you!!!
Thanks so much, Sarah. That means a lot to me!
Those are so adorable! I need that heart shaped pan!
I was debating on purchasing that heart donuts tray, and didn’t because I am not a huge fan of Valentines Day either…but it sure is cute!
Love the recipe, i love maple frosting and the idea of adding smoked sea salt sounds divine!
Great recipe
Hope you try it anyway…you can get a regular donut pan.
I’ve been to three stores and still do not have maple extract. *wipes tears*
Oh sadness! I got mine at Albertson’s and I’ve seen it at Fred Meyer/Kroger as well.
I have made these twice- once with soy milk and the second with almond milk. Recommend using only almond milk because the soy milk doughnuts were gummy tasting. Anyone eles notice this?
Just made these. Made 12 and I managed to eat only one before everyone got home. (Twice) Oh, well. They are good, and since we don’t really celebrate V Day, doesn’t that make every day Valentine’s Day?
Glad you liked them Liv…and that you only ate one (twice).
Hello,
I saw you on AM Northwest. Made your valentine’s day donuts. You talked about a coconut donut recipe but I did not see them on your website. Can you please guide me to them? Can’t wait. And thanks for sharing your talent with those who aren’t naturals like you
Hi Irma! Actually, those donuts are going to be in my next book, which isn’t out until Spring of next year. But you can find many of my donut recipes here: http://peasandthankyou.com/recipage/?search_term=donuts&ui=22
Would coconut milk work for the non-dairy milk needed in these?? Thanks!
Sure! I’d lean more towards the kind in the carton rather than the can, though.
Thanks! I couldn’t find smoked salt at my SuperTarget (alas, we have no Trader Joe’s), but I DID find Bacon Salt, which is not vegan due to “natural butter flavor” but IS kosher and vegetarian. I am super excited to try! Thanks so much.
Mmmmm, I think this is my official PMSing food! I just made these, but as cupcakes (no donut pan), and baked for 20 mins. I didn’t have maple extract, so I used maple syrup in place of the extract and most of the milk. Now I have to stop myself from eating 6 of them! Thank goodness I like to work out….
Beautiful! I’m very happy you are enjoying them, no matter what shape they are in.