The space under the stairs... It is a space that is highly overlooked, usually used as a place to store all of the things that we want to keep out of sight, out of mind. However, there are many ways to use this space in a more intentional way, making it both useful and attractive.
You can use these spaces for anything from a seating area to a wine cellar! They also work as pantries, home offices, and powder rooms! These awkward spaces are the ones that give you a chance to be truly creative! So have some fun with it and make the space under your stairs work for you!
Makes: about 50 donut holes
Things you need…
Canola oil for frying
How to make…
Mulled Apple Cider
Add 750 ml of apple cider to a medium sauce pan. Add in mulling spices and bring to gentle boil. Cook for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and strain out mulling spices. Allow to cool completely.
Mulled Apple Cider Donuts
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; make a well in the center and set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl using an electric mixer, cream together eggs, sugar, vanilla and orange zest until pale and thick. Slowly add in melted butter and beat until combined. In a liquid measuring cup mix together the sour cream and mulled apple cider. Add half of the sour cream mixture in and beat to combine; add the remaining sour cream and beat until smooth and completely combined.
Pour wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients and use a spatula to gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined.
Spoon dough out onto a large piece of plastic wrap, and wrap up tight. Refrigerate the donut dough for at least one hour or over night.
When you are ready to cook your donuts, heat a heavy bottomed pot of about 2 inches of oil over medium heat to 350 degrees, no hotter and no lower.
While your oil is heating up, lightly flour a cool work surface and turn your donut dough out. Dust the top with flour and roll your dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. Using a 1 or 2 in round cookie cutter, cut your donut holes.
**Note: You will most likely have some scraps, I usually just cut these into more little donut holes rather than re-rolling them.
Once your oil is heated, gently place 5-10 donuts at a time into the oil to cook. Once your donuts float nicely to the top, allow them to cook for about 1 more minute before flipping and frying for an additional one minute on the other side. You can always look to see the color before flipping to check that your donuts are a nice light golden brown before flipping them.
Once cooked, use a slotted spoon and allow the donuts to drip off any excess oil into the pot. Place the cooked donuts onto a wire rack with some paper towel underneath to cool and drip off anymore excess oil. They will be extremely hot, so please take care not to burn yourself.
Allow to cool for a few minutes before dipping in the glaze.
Mulled Apple Cider Glaze
Add your icing sugar, vanilla, maple syrup, corn syrup and mulled apple cider to a large mixing bowl. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. If your glaze is too thick, add in your additional apple cider or water 1 tbsp at a time. You want the glaze to be a pour-able consistency but not too runny.
Once your donut holes have cooled for about 15 minutes, toss the donut holes into the bowl and use a spatula to toss them and evenly coat them all in the glaze. Pour the donuts out onto a wire rack (with parchment underneath for the excess glaze to drip off onto).
Allow the donut holes to sit for about 10 minutes so the glaze can set up a bit before serving…. if you can wait that long.
I love pressed botanicals as wall art! What a beautiful way to bring nature into your space in such an elegant and effortless way. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, with its own unique shape and texture.
You can purchase pressed botanicals, which is a quick and easy way to complete a gallery wall. Or you may choose to press and frame your own pickings, giving your pieces a personal touch. Click here for a quick rundown on how to have a go at it! If you choose to take on this project, don't forget to share!
