[ Baked Coconut Donuts ]

Oh Dear Lord.  These are AMAZING.  I have been wanting to try my hand at making donuts for a while now - especially since my kiddies have become obsessed with Tim Hortons.  But fried donuts - that can't be good for you ... although, a BAKED donut - well, it probably can't taste all that good.  Period.  But I am here to tell you, NO.  I found these on a KILLER blog (uh oh - which one was it now??).  These were a little more "cake-y" and denser than light and airy the way the fried ones are, for sure.  But - they were dang good.  SO dang good.  My pic to prove it.  ** Note :: I discovered that MINI DONUTS were perfect for this recipe, with frosting and toasted coconut.  It was a better balance between the sugary glaze and donut. **


Donuts
• 
  
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup coconut milk
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Icing
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• enough coconut milk to make a glaze (6tbsp, 7?  give it a go ...)
• 3/4 teaspoon coconut extract
• toasted coconut, for topping

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325F. Spray a donut pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, combine the coconut milk, eggs, coconut extract, butter and oil. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
3. Transfer the batter to a large zip top bag and cut off one corner. Pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each about 2/3 full.
4. Bake the donuts for about 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
5. Once the donuts are cool, make the icing:
6. In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, coconut milk and coconut extract. Carefully dip the tops of the donuts into the icing. (The icing is a little bit thicker, so use a spoon to spread the icing if needed.) Immediately dip into toasted coconut. Return the donuts to a wire rack for the icing to set up.