Doughins? Muffnuts?

I really wanted to make baked doughnuts, so I searched and searched for a recipe. I generally like to stick with recipes either from a book I own, or a website that has people rate the recipes so I can see what potential they have. All of the ones I found either had no ratings, or were not baked but fried. I found this recipe for "French Breakfast Puffs" on Allrecipes.com and though its not called a doughnut, the common consensus on the reviews/ratings section was that it tasted like a baked cake doughnut. Most people seemed to be pleased with it, so I decided to give it a try.

1/3 c. Shortening
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1.5 c. all purpose flour
1.5 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp ground cinnamon
6 Tablespoons butter, melted (but I only used 3 and had much left over!!)

In a mixing bowl, beat shortening, 1/2 c of the sugar, and the egg until smooth.
In another bowl, combine flour, nutmeg, baking powder and salt. Add this to the sugar mixture alternately with milk.
Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clear. I made mine in little star shaped tins, and some in muffin tins, but since mine were smaller, I only baked them 15 minutes. Cool 5 minutes, then remove from pan.
In the meantime, combine cinnamon and the other half cup of sugar. Melt the butter. Their recipe says to roll the warm puffs in butter, then in cinnamon sugar, but I took a pastry brush and brushed the tops with butter, then rolled them in the cinnamon sugar. I didn't like the idea of submerging them in melted butter.


Even though I didn't drown them in butter, they were very good. A little on the dry side, but very good (Dan ate 5 of them). The cinnamon sugar topping is essential. Next time, I would maybe add a thin glaze to the top.


Yey, first time using the star tin!! My chubby little star shaped puffs.