YumSugar

Free Food Alert: National Doughnut Day Giveaways

YumSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:00:53 -0700

Fridays just keep getting better: in addition to taking advantage of some free Mars chocolate, tomorrow is National Doughnut Day - which mean you can enjoy free doughnuts courtesy of both Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts. There's no purchase required at Krispy Kreme, where all you have to do is saunter over to your participating local store to score a free pastry. From there, you can cross town to hit up Dunkin' Donuts, where you get a gratis doughnut of your choice with the purchase of any beverage.

To further honor this American classic and breakfast of champions, see if you can dunk my doughnut identification quiz. Will you partake in tomorrow's breakfast pastry bargain?

Source and Source

Impress Friends With Chocolate-Dipped Cinnamon Churros

YumSugar — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 08:00:29 -0800

Several weeks ago, I was invited to a cooking class at Parties That Cook, a company that hosts culinary tutorials and team-building culinary events. After a quick lesson, where chef Bibby Gillignat taught us basic cooking skills, we broke into groups, each one assigned to a different portion of the meal.

My sweetheart and I were assigned to the dessert portion of the meal, where we made another warm, chocolatey dessert: churros, fried Mexican doughnuts, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and dipped in spicy chocolate sauce. It may sound intimidating to make a deep-fried dessert, but it really isn't that hard! Check out all the steps when you read more.

Cinnamon Churros With Hot Chocolate Dipping Sauce
From Parties That Cook

Ingredients

Churros:
6 cups canola oil, for frying  
1 3/4 cups water
2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter
 1 teaspoon kosher salt
 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour  
4 large eggs  
1 large egg white
Plastic wrap
Cinnamon-Sugar Topping:
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Chocolate Sauce:
 1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup milk 
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
3 ounces Mexican chocolate, finely chopped
 1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Prepare batter: In a frying pan, heat the oil to 375°F.
In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil with the butter and salt. Remove from heat.
Add the flour and stir vigorously until incorporated. Using an electric mixer, beat the dough at low speed for 1 minute, just until slightly cooled.
Increase the speed to medium-high and beat in the eggs and egg white, one at a time.
Transfer the dough to a bowl, press a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface and put in the freezer until cooled to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Scoop the dough into a large pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.
Mix topping: In a bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon.
Fry churros: Set a cooling rack on a sheet pan. Squeeze 4-inch lengths of the dough into the hot oil, cutting them off with a knife. Fry about 6 churros at a time; they expand as they cook. Turn over once or twice, until browned, about 4 minutes.
Drain the churros on the rack for 2 minutes, then dust with the cinnamon sugar.
Make Chocolate Sauce: Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat the cream and milk until small bubbles appear around the edge. Add the chocolates, sugar, vanilla, cayenne and salt. Whisk over low heat until the chocolate is melted. Keep warm over very low heat.
Serve at once with hot chocolate sauce.

Makes 24 churros.

Print recipe with images | without images

View 21 Photos ›

Enjoy Free Krispy Kreme Tomorrow

partysugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:45:34 -0800

To honor the Presidential inauguration, tomorrow Krispy Kreme doughnuts is giving away free doughnuts. In the promotion every customer will receive a free doughnut of his or her choice. Krispy Kreme's executive chef, Ron Rupocinski, explains that "Krispy Kreme is taking the inaugural festivities nationwide. We're inviting our fans in cities across the country, including Washington, D.C., to commemorate this historic day with a favorite American treat." No purchase is necessary for the free doughnut. Be sure to find out if your local Krispy Kreme is participating.

Are you excited about inauguration day? Will you celebrate with a free doughnut?

Source

Can You Dunk This Doughnut Quiz?

YumSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:30:08 -0800

In case it wasn't already on your radar, today isn't just the day after the most monumental election in history. It also happens to be Doughnut Day!

There are more fried breakfast pastries than one can keep up with these days. Between crullers, comfits, fritters, bear claws, and old fashioneds, it sure is hard to keep those doughnuts straight. Think you can do it? There's only one way to find out!

Source

Take the quiz

Yummy Links: From Ghoul-Aid to Alton Brown

partysugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:45:03 -0700

Celebrate Halloween by making ghoul-aid. - Hostess With the Mostess
If you are staying in on election night, cook a red- or blue-themed dinner. - GlamDish
European wines may contain high amounts of metal. - Vinography
Looking for a candy that's good for you? Try kiwiberries! - The Epi-Log
Everything you need to know about cheese. - Chow
Learn the difference between regular, smoky, Spanish, and Hungarian paprikas. - The Kitchn
Alton Brown on donuts. - Serious Eats

Source

Krispy Kreme's New Plan: Smaller Stores and Soft-Serve

YumSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:00:28 -0700

After three years of floundering sales, Krispy Kreme has unveiled a new business plan. The doughnut chain famous for its hot-off-the-line, melt-in-your-mouth glazed doughnuts will roll out its own brand of soft-serve ice cream, Kool Kreme. The company also plans to open smaller-sized stores and expand its overseas market share.

Later this year the Winston-Salem, NC-based company plans to open smaller, less costly stores. Shops continue to open, with new franchises outside the United States, in Puerto Rico and Australia.

Kool Kreme has already been tested in markets such as such as Tacoma, WA, and will feature flavors such as Very Vanilla and Deep Chocolate, along with a toppings bar. Krispy Kreme is clearly trying to capitalize on the growing trend of frozen yogurt stores such as Pinkberry and Tasti-D-Lite, but I can't help but think that this move comes a year or two too late, as big cities have already become oversaturated with frozen dessert options. Will you try the latest offering from Krispy Kreme?

Source

Would You Eat These Soda-Flavored Doughnuts?

YumSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:27:59 -0700

Last time I went to the store, I spotted these doughnuts in flavors such as Hawaiian Punch, Orange Crush, and Dr Pepper. At first, I was curious and somewhat puzzled: Why would anyone think to pair soda flavors with doughnuts?

Ultimately I'm not sure what to think of this concept; I'm inclined to believe that food and beverage companies are running out of novelty ideas. Have you ever come across these doughnuts?

Yummy Link: Doughnut Muffins

partysugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:15:14 -0700

I first fell in love with these amazing doughnut muffins awhile back. Now check out this updated version of the classic cinnamon sugar doughnut muffins. They solve the doughnut vs. muffin debate every time! - Genesis of a Cook

Take My Quiz, Get a Free Doughnut!

YumSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 05:30:39 -0700

Actually, you don't have to take my quiz to get a free doughnut. Because today, in honor of National Doughnut Day, Krispy Kreme is handing out free doughnuts!

While we've got fried dough on the brain and sticky glaze on our fingers, I thought it would be a good time to test your knowledge of the iconic doughnut chain.

Are you krazy about Krispy Kreme? Take my quiz to find out.

Source

Take the quiz

Dunkin' Donuts Offers Some Tax-Day Relief

YumSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:03:51 -0700

Doing some last-minute work on your taxes this weekend? Well maybe they'll be a bit easier to do if you know there's a reward at the end of the tax-form tunnel. Next Tuesday, April 15, Dunkin' Donuts is offering a bit of tax-day relief in the form of a free donut. However, I should warn you, much like your taxes, you need to read all the fine print. The donut is only free when you buy any sized hot coffee. If you're interested, find a Dunkin' Donuts store near you.