Soooooo…have I ever mentioned that I worked at a bakery when I was in college? No? Well, let me tell you all about it. I worked at a busy, popular, family run bakery in my home town for two summers during college. I had to wear white, I had to BE THERE at 6 am (ugh, that was the worst!) and I sold tons and tons of pastries, cakes, cookies, pies, and rolls every week.
The other workers were three much older ladies who had awesome older lady names like Betty, Dot, and Helen. They were all such characters! I remember the “head lady” really had a certain way that she liked to do things, and she would even be in the bakery on her day off. It was actually a fun environment, and it was hilarious to listen to the chatter between the three of them. We did a TON of birthday cakes and graduation cakes, and I was so proud when one of the ladies taught me how to pipe “Happy Birthday” onto the cakes. That was pretty much my favorite job.
Anyway, since we had to be there at 6am for the morning rush, we were allowed to eat one thing for breakfast when the rush died down. There is really nothing like working around desserts for 40 hours a week to completely turn you off of sugar, so I was really tired of all bakery items at the end of the summer. But, I do remember two items from this bakery that were very good, and were my breakfast choice more often than not: a warm flaky, cheese danish, and a rich, chocolate glazed donut.
This donut reminds me of that chocolate glazed donut. But I think it’s a little bit healthier: it’s baked, not fried, it has bananas and walnuts in it, and it’s dairy and egg free. Still a super decadent treat, but not as unhealthy as that bakery donut from way back when.
Vegan Banana Nut Donuts with Chocolate Glaze.
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons very ripe banana mashed
- ¼ cup vegan buttery spread softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup spelt flour all purpose flour works, too
- 1½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg scant
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- ½ teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup finely ground walnuts
- For the topping:
- 1 cup dairy free chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt optional
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour the donut pan. Even though the donut pan is non-stick, the banana makes the dough sticky, so it works better to grease and flour the pan.
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Mix the buttery spread, mashed banana, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the vanilla, vinegar, and almond milk, stir.
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Add the dry ingredients and nuts to the wet mixture and mix together. The dough will be soft, and not too wet. Let the dough rise for a minute.
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Spoon the dough into the donut pan. Each well will be full almost to the top. Smooth out the dough with the
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back of a spoon. Make sure that the center of each part (where the hole will be) is free of dough.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool in the pan for a few minutes, then remove.
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Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for 45 seconds, stir. Microwave for 10 second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
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Spread the chocolate on the cooled donuts and top with the walnuts and a sprinkle of sea salt if desired.
Did you have any interesting summer jobs when you were growing up?
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Kelly Roenicke
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Hi Kelly! How are you? I haven’t stopped by in a while. Tax season consumes my life leaving me little time to socialize on social media.
These donuts look and sound amazing. They contain two of my favorites…bananas and chocolate.
As for an interesting summer job? I started working at age 12 babysitting and playing the piano for a voice instructor’s students. I used the money to buy books. I was (and still can be) a total bookworm. As i got older, I continued with the baby sitting and piano playing gigs but added retail store clerk to my resume. These jobs were great but my absolute favorite, most interesting job was being a waitress at Pizza Hut the summer after my freshman year of college. What made it so special is it was THE place to hangout in my hometown. It was located in front of the most popular movie theater and only a few miles from our local baseball stadium. The wait for a table was always 30 minutes or more…very much a hot spot. I call it my summer for “crushing”. It was then that I realized I have a thing for baseball players. lol. Several years later I actually married a baseball player, although I didn’t meet him at Pizza Hut. So…how’s that for interesting? haha. I hope you are doing well!
Hi Lisa! Wow, you had lots of interesting jobs! I can imagine it would be super fun to work at a busy Pizza Hut! Are you an accountant? I’m sure you’ll be glad when tax season is over! I know I’m so happy we finished our taxes last week.
I always thought it’d be fun to work at a bakery save for having to wake up extra extra early. These donuts look amaaaaaazing! High-fives on making them vegan – very impressive indeed!
Thanks, Julia! The early mornings were a bummer, but doable when I was younger! Now I don’t think I could do it! :)
That is so cool you worked at a bakery! 6am is pretty early to be at work, but I bet you were done really early so you still had lots of daylight to do fun, summery things. These donuts sound delicious! And healthy too : )
Thanks, Natalie! Yes, it was early, but you’re right, then I did have the whole day!
Oh gosh these donuts look seriously amazing! I don’t think I could ever work around so much sugar. I’d eat it all!
Thank you! After awhile, I was just sick of looking at anything sweet! Too much! :)
Kelly, that is so amazing that you worked in a bakery! Definitely my dream job. ;) And I am loving these donuts! They look so moist and fluffy and obviously VERY tempting smothered in chocolate. LOL pinned!
Thanks so much, Sarah! You are so sweet!
6 am is the worst! But SO cool that you worked in a bakery. I own a (currently inactive due to exams) baking business so I understand the work but the fun that it awards. These doughnuts now…can you ship me some please?! It’s not good for me to be staring at this hour but they look insanely delicious!!! Like the chocolate glaze.
Wow! That is awesome that you own a baking business! It’s a lot of work for sure! Donuts are in the mail! ;)
I worked at a lodge in a State Park (it was grandfathered in) and I was the morning cook. I’d get up there really early and bake muffins, cookies, bread and biscotti with the sun coming up over the mountains before any other workers were there. It was amazing :)
That sounds like an amazing job, Katie! Wow, nature and baking, what a great combination!
Do you have any suggestions for making this without a “donut pan”, could they be muffins?
Sure, muffins would work! Just keep an eye on them, the timing will be different than with the donut pan, I think!
These look great. Definitely going to try them for my dairy free son. Did you use mini donut pan or regular size donut pan? And how many did it make? thanks so much.
I used a regular size donut pan…although now I am intrigued…I didn’t know that they made a mini donut pan! It makes about 6 donuts. You might have a little extra batter if it seems to get extra puffy from the baking powder, You can just make an extra donut, or a couple of mini muffins if that happens.
hi first time i have posted the look great could u bake these in a electric donut machine i have one but haven’t
made donuts in so long i could spray it well but doubt i could flour it
You know, if it is non stick, and you spray it, it might be fine. I have not tried it in a donut maker, but if you do try it, let me know how it goes!