Fragrant Cherry Blossom Baked Donuts
Create Cherry Blossom Donuts! Capture Falling Cherry Blossoms in Baked Donuts!
Enjoy a homemade snack instead of a cherry blossom viewing trip! These baked donuts are filled with cherry blossom essence and real cherry petals, making them wonderfully fragrant! Let’s learn some home baking with these delightful baked donuts. Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat!
Essential Ingredients
- 1 large egg (approx. 60g)
- 40g granulated sugar
- 10g honey
- 65g cake flour
- 3g cherry blossom powder
- 10g almond flour
- 2g baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- 50g melted unsalted butter
- 2 drops cherry blossom essence
- 100g white bean paste (Shiroan)
Topping Ingredients
- 6 preserved cherry blossoms
- Cherry blossom powder, for dusting
- Coating chocolate, as needed
- 6 preserved cherry blossoms
- Cherry blossom powder, for dusting
- Coating chocolate, as needed
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a bowl, lightly beat the egg with a whisk. Add the granulated sugar and honey, and mix well until the sugar is dissolved. Avoid over-whisking to prevent too much foam.
Step 2
In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, cherry blossom powder, almond flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting 2-3 times will ensure an even mix and a softer donut. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the egg mixture and gently whisk until just combined and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop gluten and make the donuts tough.
Step 3
Pour the melted unsalted butter and cherry blossom essence into the batter. Mix gently with the whisk until the butter is fully incorporated. The cherry blossom essence is added last to preserve its delicate fragrance.
Step 4
Transfer the donut batter to a piping bag. Place one preserved cherry blossom in each donut mold. Pipe the batter into the molds, filling them about halfway. This creates a lovely visual effect with the blossom embedded within the donut.
Step 5
Pipe a ring of white bean paste over the batter in each mold. The bean paste will add a lovely sweetness and a soft texture to the center of the donut. Aim for an even, not overly thick, layer.
Step 6
Pipe another layer of batter over the white bean paste to cover it completely. Smooth the top surface for a neat appearance. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Baking time may vary depending on your oven.
Step 7
Once baked, carefully remove the donuts from the molds and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Handling them while hot could cause them to break.
Step 8
When the donuts are fully cooled, dip them in melted coating chocolate or drizzle as desired. Coating with white chocolate complements the cherry blossom theme beautifully. For an extra touch, lightly dust with more cherry blossom powder to create a truly enchanting cherry blossom baked donut!
