What would our annual Vappu celebration be without donuts! I remember when I was a little girl in Finland and my friend Maria’s mother would make Vappu donuts every year. They were incredible delicious, hot out of the fryer. We enjoyed them with some homemade sima, of course. Sima is a kind of a fermented lemonade we brew at home and drink like crazies when Vappu arrives and for weeks to come after it (because mom doesn’t know how to make a small batch…).
Since I’m not a fan of deep frying things nowadays (also, yuck how it makes the house stink) I prefer baking my donuts. This recipe has only 7 ingredients and requires no deep-fryer, nor a donut pan. Oh, and it uses no animal-based products (hip-hip-hurray!). You can always add glaze or frosting if you like and use your imagination when decorating. Vappu is all about celebrating the arrival of spring and letting your colorful personality shine!
What I’m planning on bringing to our first Vappu Picnic in California besides donuts: Asparagus-Potato Salad, Pizza (with Miyoko’s mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, fine chopped basil), Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce, and to drink: kombucha (the lemon one from G.T’s tastes a lot like sima!). But first the most important part of the meal: Vegan Vappu Donuts!
Baked Vegan Vappu Donuts
Serves: 10-12
Ingredients
- 2 cups plant milk (vanilla flavored works here too)
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1,5 teaspoon sea salt
- 4-4.5 cups flour
Frosting options:
- Coconut Butter, Almond Butter, or Vegan Chocolate Mousse.
- Use coconut flakes, cacao nibs, freeze-dried fruit crumbles, finely chopped fresh strawberries or whatever else you can think of for funky decor on top of the frosting.
- Melted dark chocolate.
Instructions
- Bring milk, oil, maple syrup and sugar to a boil in a sauce pan.
- Once boiling, remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm (about 30 minutes)
- Once cooled, stir in yeast and let set for 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, add 4 cups of flour and salt, then add to wet mixture and stir, mixing well, then covering with a towel and letting rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
- Once doubled in size, add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour (or until the dough is no longer incredibly sticky). Mix well and then let the dough sit for about 10 minutes.
- On a floured surface make about 2-inch balls and place them on a lightly greased cookie sheet, leaving room for expansion.
- Preheat oven to 350 and cover with light towel while warming.
- Once preheated, bake for 10-15 minutes (depending on your oven), being careful not to over bake as you don’t want the bottoms too brown.
- Let cool and top with your favorite frosting. If you’re just simply rolling them in sugar/coconut shavings do it while they’re still hot so that they’ll stick.
Oh I’m definitely going to have to try to make these. I love donuts!
These actually sound really good! I am not a vegan, but I’m going to try to make these for my vegan friends! I think they will love them!
Yes!!! These sound amazing!