If red food colouring is the official stamp of Valentine’s Day themed treats, then edible rose petals have got to be the mark of Saint Valentine himself. So, when planning this year’s love-filled post for you this year, I just had to use both and created Valentine’s Day red velvet doughnuts with a cream cheese glaze and edible dried rose petals.
2016 is definitely the year of love for Scotty and I, because after 7 years together we are declaring our love to the world and getting married. I seem to have suddenly developed a schmalzy side when it comes to matters of the heart as a result of our impending nuptials. While part of me cringes at it, the other part requires that I absolutely get on board the Valentine’s Day train this year and create a recipe for you all to make for your loved one.
These cake doughnuts are far better for you than deep fried doughnuts and are as light as air thanks to the combination of cake flour (don’t worry my Australian comrades, even though we can’t buy cake flour in Australia, it’s a simple mix of plain flour and cornflour), buttermilk ( I have a hack for that too if you don’t want to buy a whole carton) and whipped egg whites.
Red velvet treats wouldn’t be anything without the cream cheese topping. Not being one to break with a tradition that isn’t broken so doesn’t require fixing… the glaze is simply cream cheese, icing sugar and milk which complements the cake doughnut spectacularly.
The edible dried rose petals add another dimension to our Valentine’s Day theme, but more than that – they actually taste in sync with the red velvet and cream cheese flavours. A big bag of these beauties made their way to my doorstep a little while ago – a gift from the iconic Essential Ingredient stores here in Australia. I knew they were too wonderful to use in just any dish, so I’ve been waiting for the right time to use them.
There’s nothing more to say really other than, despite being on a diet so I can fit into my wedding dress, I seem to have inhaled more than my fair share of these doughnuts. I am eagerly awaiting Scotty’s arrival home so that I can give them to him… do you think he’ll notice if there is a big bite taken out of the handful I have left?
Red Velvet Doughnuts with Cream Cheese Glaze and Rose Petals
Ingredients
Doughnuts
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/3 cup plain flour
- 1/4 cup cornflour*
- 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- pinch salt
- 2 eggs, separated
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 1/4 cup grapeseed oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
- Red food colouring paste
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 200g cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup icing sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons milk
- Edible dried rose petals
Directions
Preheat oven to 180° Celsius (350° Fahrenheit).
In a small bowl combine the milk and the lemon juice and set aside. In another bowl sift together the flour, cornflour, bicarb soda, cocoa powder and salt and set aside.
Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until soft peaks form and then set aside.
Cream together the butter and sugar with your hand mixer on high until pale and creamy (should take between 5-8 minutes). Add the oil and then beat again for a few minutes. Add the egg yolks and the vanilla beans and mix until combined.
Add red food colouring until the batter is a vibrant red (the food colouring paste is better as it won't thin out your batter but you can use liquid colourings if that is all you have).
With your hand mixer on a low speed add the flour and the milk mixture alternating between each, and beginning and ending with the flour. Add the whipped egg whites and very gently fold into the batter, ensuring that you mix until just combined so that the batter remains light and full of air.
Take two non stick doughnut pans and spray them with oil. Fill each doughnut mold 3/4 full and bake for 17 minutes until the batter springs back in the centre when pressed. Remove from the oven and after a few minutes, gently remove from the molds. Set aside to cool completely.
To make the glaze, combine the cream cheese and sifted icing sugar in a bowl and beat on high for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Add the milk 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing between each addition, until you reach your desired consistency.
Dip the tops of the cooled doughnuts in the cream cheese glaze and sprinkle with dried rose petals.
happy happy happy! So thrilled that you and your love are getting married 🙂 And these doughnuts look ten types of delish – red velvet is my BFF.
I’ll never say “no” to a doughnut! Love them. They love me too, alas. Baked doughnuts are much more rationale — not nearly as much fat, thank goodness. Don’t believe I’ve ever had a red velvet one, but really like the idea. Good stuff — thanks.
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These doughnuts look amazing and sound so delicious, beautiful pictures. Congratulations on your impending nuptials!
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These are perfection! I love the edible flowers and the cream cheese frosting!!! PERFECTION! And your pictures are just to die for!!!
Amanda these are exceptional and the photos made me want to go and finally get that donut baking tray! Thanks for inspiring, and I am sure Scotty won’t mind if there’s a bite out of one of these. 😉
I also was just working with rose petals for a Moroccan spice blend today, their use here is gorgeous. I tried Pinning twice and kept getting an error. Will come back tomorrow or later and hopefully the glitch is gone into cyberspace… Happy Valentines Day to you both!
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Every year is the year of love you and Scotty, you love birds you :p xxx Talking about love, I love love love these doughnuts. Hmmm, where’s mine???
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ok Amanda, you’re going to need to send me about 8 dozen of these. They look awesome!
Mmmm…DONUTS (said in my best Homer imitation). These look spectacular!
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Umm Hello, who needs Valentines OR a valentine when you have these —– any day of the year will do me – delivery an option?
These look delicious and beautiful
They look delicious and yummy! And your rustic wooden photo backdrop is really looking awesome :).
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Hnnngh. send some my way!