Semi-Homemade Donut with Vanilla Creme Sauce

I love donuts…and my hubby dislikes donuts…but he LOVED the semi-homemade donuts I’m going to share with you today. That’s how delicious they are.

My cousin and life-long partner in crime, Danielle, introduced me to this donut recipe at her kids birthday party several weeks ago. So, I played around in my kitchen today and have some seriously yummy results for you. The donut’s are semi-homemade, so they are easy, and the dipping creme is to die for – it’s not too sweet, but the perfect accessory for your donut.

I made my donut and creme anglaise Easter-themed. Holy donuts…my Catholic mom is proud! But, think of the adorable inner-ring theme possibilities with these – bridal shower, baby shower, initials, a heart, star, etc.

DONUT RECIPE
recipe adapted from Danielle {owner and baker of Mimi’s Sweeties}

Ingredients
Pillsbury Biscuits
Powdered Sugar
Grapeseed Oil

Directions
{Danielle has a fryer, so she uses that; however I do not, so I fried on my stove}.
To make sure the inside of the biscuit is cooked, bake the biscuits in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. Remove the donuts before they are golden brown on top.
While still hot, use a knife to cut the shape of the inner donut ring. For Easter, I made a cross {you can try to cut the shape of the inner donut ring prior to baking}.
In a medium saucepan, heat grape seed oil {or vegetable oil} to a temperature  between 360 and 275 degrees F.
Place donuts in the oil to fry to a golden brown.
Remove from the oil, place on a paper towel on top of a plate, then while still hot, roll the donut in powdered sugar.

VANILLA CREME ANGLAISE
recipe adapted from Martha Stewart

Ingredients
2 cups half and half
4 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
pinch of salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Red food coloring

Directions
Prepare an ice-water bath {fill a bowl larger than a medium size bowl with ice and water}.
Beat yolks, sugar and salt with a mixer on high until the mixture thickens and turns a light yellow.
In a medium saucepan, add half and half and vanilla. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
Slowly add half of the hot half and half mixture to the bowl with eggs, sugar and salt, and mix on low.
Pour the yolk-milk mixture into the saucepan with the remaining half and half mixture and cook on low, stirring constantly for about 7 minutes until thick enough to coat your spoon or spatula.
Add 4 drops of food coloring to the saucepan for a light pink color Anglaise.
Pour in a bowl {original recipe strains mixture into a bowl, however I didn’t have and it turned out ok} and place in the ice-water bath, stirring occasionally until chilled.

{images via Tutto Bella}

happy birthday dr. seuss

Friday, March 1 is Dr. Seuss’ birthday. So, in honor of Dr. Seuss, the importance of reading, and believing in children’s dreams and individuality, we made an 8×10 inspirational quote print…and you can have it for FREE through March 3.

To receive the free printable, follow us on Pinterest using the Rafflecopter link below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

After, March 3, the printable can be found and bought in our Etsy store here.

{images via Tutto Bella}

vday love for the men too

Now that we covered the females, its time to share some ideas for the men in our lives. Let’s be honest, what men really want may not be appropriate for this blog…but these gifts are!

1. Ticket Stub Diary, Uncommon Goods {$11}
2. Beer Buckle or BevBuckle, The Beer Buckle {$34}
3. Ray-Ban Aviators, Sunglass Hut {$144,95}
4. Keurig Mini-Plus Personal Coffee Maker, Bed, Bath & Beyond {$99}
5. Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones, Target {$199}
6. Lucky Night Bottle of Wine, Swanson Vineyards

{images via Sunglass Hut, Swanson Vineyards, Uncommon Goods, Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, The Beer Buckle}

DIY Crayon Valentine for Kids

Last year we created cute labels {see here}, and this year we’re channeling our inner Picasso. Crayon art was all over Pinterest in 2012, so for our kids Valentine’s this year, we took our inspiration from the popular, child-friendly melted Crayon art.

We’ve taken that simple idea, and made it a fun, doable and unique Valentine’s Day card for our kids and their friends this year.

The poem, available for purchase can be found here at Fleur de Lis, a paperie on Etsy.

you make my heart melt, valentine
this crayon art is a gift from me to you,
on this valentine’s day, 
it’s the perfect project to do.

find your mom and dad before you start,
this beautiful, wonderful piece of art.

grab a blow dryer and hold close to crayons to apply hot heat
turn on low, and within minutes the melted art will be so neat.

put in your room or on display,
and think of me at the beginning or end of each day.

Here’s How You Can Do It Too…

Directions:
Use a pencil and ruler to measure the size of each valentine ‘favor’ {we decided to use 7 crayons for each child, which was about 4×8}.
Use the blade to cut along your lines {I also tried to use scissors, but the cut was not as clean due to the thickness of the board, so for a clean, more precise cut, use a razor blade}.
Get the kids help in picking 7 colors per friend.
Use a hot glue gun to glue 7 crayons {or as many crayons as you need to cover the width of your foam board} next to each other on the board.
Place in a cellophane bag, wrap with twine.
Cut the You Melt My Heart, Valentine labels, punch two holes in the top about an inch apart from one another, then loop the twine through and tie a bow.

This year, your kids’ friends will have a fun art project to do when they get home, and a Crayola masterpiece to cherish.

{images via Tutto Bella}

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Women

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and if you’re looking for that perfect gift for your lovely lady, we have some fantastic ideas. {Tommy, I’m eyeing the White Poppy Vase and of course the Tory Burch shoes. A ‘kid-free’ dinner out would work too} 🙂

1. Love Letter Napkins, Uncommon Goods {$48}

2. Classic Coffee and Tea Inside Out Heart Cups & Saucers, Set of 6, Amazon {$50}

3. Ceramic Bowl with Black and White Hearts, Ross Lab on Etsy {$26}

4. White Poppy Vase, Anthropologie {$20}

5. Tory Burch Eddie Bow Flat, Nordstrom {$250}

6. Bird Cage Lovers, Salt and Pepper Shakers, Pottery Barn {$34.50}

7. You are Loved, a whispered hand stamped soul mantra locket, Liz Lamoreux via Etsy {$40}

8. 3-D Song Hearts, Suzy Shoppe via Etsy {$75}

9. Mine Design Home Chalkboard Candles, sold and available at Fleur de Lis, a paperie, 303.996.6885 {$14-$24}

{images via AmazonRoss Lab, Uncommon Goods, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Liz Lamoreux, Mine Design, Suzy ShoppeNordstrom}